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 “The
American family is more violent than any other institution,
with the sole exception of the military, and only then
in time of war.”
—Strauss and Gelles
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The Surgeon General has reported that domestic violence
is the leading cause of injury to women between ages
15 and 44, more common than automobile accidents,
muggings, and cancer deaths combined.
Although official estimates of domestic violence
rely largely on FBI, police and emergency room reports,
in fact, many women also report domestic violence
to friends, family, relatives, clergy and health
care workers. These sources of information are not
included in national crime surveys. Hence, statistics
do not accurately reflect the amount of violence
experienced in intimate relationships. However, what
the statistics do reveal about domestic violence
is alarming…
 Nearly one-third of American women have reported
being physically or sexually abused by a husband
or boyfriend at some point in their lives.
It is estimated that only 10% of battering incidents
are ever reported to the police.
Medical expenses from domestic violence range from
$3 to $5 billion annually. Businesses forfeit another
$100 million in lost wages, sick leave, absenteeism
and non-productivity. 364 million work days are lost
annually due to injuries caused by abuse.
Injuries that battered women receive are at least
as serious as injuries suffered in 90% of violent
felony crimes, yet under state laws, they are almost
always classified as misdemeanors.
One in four women who commit suicide are victims
of domestic violence.
At least 50% of all homeless women and children in
the United States are fleeing domestic violence.
One study revealed that after being sheltered, 31%
of abused women returned to their batterers primarily
because they could not locate affordable housing.
Three in four women who reported they had been raped
and/or physically assaulted since age 18 said that
a current or former husband, cohabiting partner,
or date committed the assault.
Eighty
percent of women who are stalked by former partners
are physically assaulted by that partner and 30%
are sexually assaulted by that partner.
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