The Scope of the Problem

Domestic violence is committed by people of all ages, races, sexual orientations, gender identities and of all ethnic, religious, economic, and educational backgrounds, and anyone may experience abuse at the hands of someone they love.

Incidence in adults

  • 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in the lifetime (e.g., hit with a fist or something hard, beaten, slammed against something).

  • 1 in 10 women (10.7%) and 1 in 50 men (2.1%) have been stalked by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

  • Most domestic violence is committed against women (82%), compared to men (18%).

incidence in children & young people

  • Each year, 1 in 15 children live in homes in which one of the parents (or the parent’s partner) abuses the other adult. 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to the violence.

  • 8.3% of Maine high schoolers report that in the preceding year, someone they were dating or going out with physically hurt them on purpose at least once. The percentage was higher for gay/lesbian students (19.2%) and bisexual students (18.3%) than for heterosexual students (6.7%).

here in maine

  • Advocates from the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV) network worked with 13,437 people statewide in 2017

  • York County consistently holds the highest number of reported domestic violence assaults in the state of Maine.

How We Respond

Using a volunteer, community-based approach, Caring Unlimited responds to thousands of requests for help each year. All of our programs are founded on a strengths-based, empowerment focused model that supports survivors in finding the safety, respect, and freedom in their own homes that each of us deserves.