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Facts on Domestic Violence


Domestic Violence includes mental, emotional, verbal or physical abuse such as constant demeaning and humiliating remarks, threats, slapping, kicking hitting, choking, destroying property, economic deprivation, forced sexual activity, isolation and starvation.   It is against the law to hit or abuse another person.  In Illinois, under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) protection and assistance are available to victims of domestic violence.

Did you know?
  • Every woman is beaten every 12 seconds nationwide (FBI).
  • One out of four women in the United States will be assaulted by a domestic partner in her lifetime.
  • One-third of pregnant women are severely beaten.
  • Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate of 1500% higher than the national average of the population.
  • More than 40% of murdered women are killed by a spouse or someone with whom they have been intimate. 10% of murdered men are killed by their partners.
  • Approximately 90% of children in violent homes are aware of the assault against their mother.
  • Of all juvenile and adult criminals, 80% lived in domestically violent environments.
  • Male children exposed to domestic violence have a 700% greater chance of beating their female partners later in life. Children from violent homes have a 300% higher risk of alcohol/drug abuse and juvenile delinquency. (March of Dimes)
  • Battered mothers are 8 times more likely to hurt their children when they are being abused than when they are safe from violence.
  • 25% of female suicides are preceded by a history of battering
  • Domestic violence occurs in all classes, races, income levels. And educational levels.
  • No one deserves to be abused. No one can provoke violence. The abuser chooses to abuse.
  • Abusers are controllers who seek to isolate and overpower their victims.
  • In India the burning of women on their husbands funeral pyres, despite regular government denunciation, is still in practice. Marriages are still arranged, and the bride is obligated to bring the dowry.


The statistics of women on welfare are as follows:

Passaic County New Jersey sample of 846 women--14.6% reported current physical abuse 25% verbal or emotional. With 57.3% reporting physical abuse some time during their adulthood.

Sample of 734 women surveyed by the University of Massachusetts--19.5% reported current physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner, with 64% experiencing intimate partner violence ever in life as an adult.

Worcester Family Research Project five year study of 436 women--61% had been severely physically assaulted by an intimate male partner as adults; nearly one-third (32%) had experience severe violence from their current or most recent partner. Over one-third (34%) had been threatened with death by an intimate partner.