Did you know that in the U.S., an average of 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner? For every one person who dies as a result of domestic violence, another 25 suffer from injuries. On average, more than three women and one man are physically abused by an intimate partner every minute during telephone surveys. There is no abuse more predictive of future violence than physical abuse. Controlling behaviors precede 70 percent of physical assaults and 95 percent of all violent crimes.
Domestic violence (also domestic abuse, spousal abuse, and intimate partner violence) is a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, friends or cohabitation. Domestic violence can occur in heterosexual or same-sex relationships, as well as between former spouses. Domestic violence often involves physical abuse, but may also include emotional abuse, sexual abuse or economic deprivation. It can be a single episode or part of a larger cycle of abuse.
Domestic violence is defined by the World Health Organization as “any act of gender-based violence that results in or threatens to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm to victims” and (by extension) their children.
Domestic violence is common; many studies have found more than half of all women have experienced domestic abuse at least once during their lifetime.
