Domestic Violence is one of the most common of all crimes.
Acts of domestic violence occur every 15 seconds in the U.S.
About half of all couples experience at least one violent incident: in a fourth of these couples, violence is a common occurrence.
20% of all murders in this country are committed within the family and 13% are committed by spouses.
Most family violence is committed aganist women.
95% of all spousal assaults are committed by men.
21% of all women who use hospital emergency services are battered.
Six million American women are beaten each year by thier husbands or boyfriends. 4,000 of them are killed.
Battering is the single major cause of injury to women- more frequent than auto accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
One in four female suicides are by victims of family violence.
Domestic violence takes its toll on the family, society, and the future.
Over one million women each year seek medical help for injuries caused by battering.
Victums of domestic ciolence are three times more likely to be victimized again than are victims of other types of crime.
Children are emotionally traumatized by witnessing family violence; many of them grow up to repeat the patteren as victim or abuser.
Children from violent homes
More than half of the children whose mothers are abused are also likely to be victims of physical abuse. Older children are often injured while trying to protect their mothers.
Whether or not the children are abused physically, they suffer emotional trauma and psychological scars from watching their fathers beat their mothers.
In homes where domestic violence occurs, fear, instability, and confusion replace the love, comfort, and nuturing that children need. These children live in constant fear of physical harm from the person who is supposed to care for and protect them. They may feel guilt at loving the abuser or blame themselves for causing the violence.
Children form these homes may experience stress-related physical ailments, as well as hearing and speech problems.
Children from violent homes have higher risks of alcohol/drug abuse and juvenile delinquency.
Statistics are provided by Charter Lakeside Behavioral Health SystemCharter Lakeside
Memphis,TN /800-232-5253 Olive Branch, MS /800-477-3422
