Domestic Violence

Report highlights. In the United States, nearly every 1 in 2 women and more than 2 in 5 men reported experiencing intimate partner violence at some point in their lifetime. 

  • Every minute 32 people experience intimate partner violence in the United States.
  • 1 in 4 men in the United States has endured severe physical violence from an intimate partner.
  • Over 47% of women have encountered contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.

How Many Women Experience Domestic Violence? 

Domestic violence continues to profoundly affect the lives of countless women across the United States, remaining a persistent and critical issue.

According to a series of reports from the 2016/2017 data years of the National Intimate Partner Violence Survey (NISVS):

  • Nearly every 1 in 2 women in the United States will face physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives.
  • Almost 1 in 5 women in the United States reported any contact sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
  • Slightly more than 2 in 5 women in the United States reported experiencing any physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
  • Almost 40 million women reported being slapped, pushed, or shoved.
  • Almost half of all women reported any psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

How Common Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is alarmingly common in the United States, affecting millions of individuals each year. NISVS reports:

  • More than 16 million people in the U.S. suffer from intimate partner abuse per year.
  • Every minute 32 people experience intimate partner violence in the United States.
  • Nearly every 1 in 2 women and more than 2 in 5 men reported experiencing intimate partner violence at some point in their lifetime.

What Percentage of Domestic Violence Victims Are Female? 

Data leaves no doubt: Domestic violence predominantly impacts women. According to a report published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in 2009: 

  • 85% of domestic violence victims are women.

How Many Women Die from Domestic Violence? 

  • Around 75% of fatal victims of domestic violence are women.
  • In 2007, 24% of female homicide victims were killed by a spouse or ex-spouse.
  • By 2019, nearly 4 women were murdered daily by intimate partners.

Domestic Violence Rates Over Time

Domestic violence statistics over the years paint a grim picture, revealing the persistent and escalating nature of the issue:

  • In 2000, a U.S. Department of Justice report indicated that 1.3% of women and 0.9% of men experienced domestic violence in the past year.
  • By 2019, nearly 4 women were murdered daily by intimate partners, reflecting an increase since 2014 after decades of decline.
  • Each year, about 2.3 million people are raped or physically assaulted by a current or former partner.
  • Victimization rates vary by race, with White and Black women more frequently victims of beatings than Asian or Hispanic women.

Domestic Violence Statistics from the CDC

  • Nearly every 1 in 2 women in the United States will face physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives.
  • Almost 1 in 5 women in the United States reported any contact sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
  • Slightly more than 2 in 5 women in the United States reported experiencing any physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
  • Almost 40 million women reported being slapped, pushed, or shoved.
  • Almost half of all women reported any psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
  • More than 16 million people in the U.S. suffer from intimate partner abuse per year.
  • Every minute, 32 people experience intimate partner violence in the United States (based on annualized report results).
  • 1 in 4 men in the United States has endured severe physical violence from an intimate partner.
  • Over 47% of women have encountered contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The numbers above are staggering and quite scary.

That’s why we want to remind everyone that every October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, which first began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a Day of Unity to connect battered women’s advocates across the country.

Don’t stay silent, speak up!

Domestic violence affects millions, both women and men, of every race, religion, culture and status. It’s not just punches and black eyes — it’s yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats and isolation. It’s stealing a paycheck, keeping tabs online, non-stop texting, constant use the silent treatment, or calling someone stupid so often they believe it.

Since the Violence Against Women Act passed in 1994, we’ve come a long way. This landmark legislation, led by then Senator Joe Biden, combined new provisions that hold offenders accountable and provide programs and services for victims.

Every October, we rededicate ourselves to breaking the cycle.

Remember, nearly three out of four Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. Now is time to take a stand. Support survivors and speak out against domestic violence all month long.

If you need assistance or want to talk to someone about domestic violence, call 1-866-331-9474 to speak with a trained peer advocate.

All information obtained on this page is from Break the Cycle.

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