a resource on domestic violence

Get the Facts

Facts About Domestic Violence by Sound Vision staff writer, edited by Notinourhomes

Statistics in the United States

Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 13 men have been sexually abused and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, partner, or acquaintance at some time in their lifetime (U.S. Department of Justice, NCJ 181867, Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence, 2000)
Nearly 1 in 10 American-Muslim women is a victim of Domestic Violence (Peaceful Families - needs citation) No statistics available on American-Muslim men.

“It’s alright, he was mad.”

Battering is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse. The batterer uses acts of violence and a series of behaviors, including intimidation, threats, psychological abuse, isolation, etc. to coerce and to control the other person. The violence may not happen often, but it remains as a hidden (and constant) terrorizing factor. (Uniform Crime Reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1990)
“One in five women victimized by their spouses or ex-spouses report they had been victimized over and over again by the same person.” (The Basics of Batterer Treatment, Common Purpose, Inc., Jamaica Plain, MA) No statistics available on men.

“Domestic Violence doesn’t happen in my Mosque or Church community.”

Men and Women of all cultures, races, occupations, income levels, and ages are battered - by spouses and partners. (Surgeon General Antonia Novello, as quoted in Domestic Violence: Battered Women, publication of the Reference Department of the Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, MA)
“Approximately one-third of the men counseled (for battering) at Emerge are professional men who are well respected in their jobs and their communities. these have included doctors, psychologists, lawyers, ministers, and business executives. (For Shelter and Beyond, Massachusetts Coalition of Battered Women Service Groups, Boston, MA 1990) No statistics available on women.

Battered women are often severely injured - 22 to 35 percent of women who visit medical emergency rooms are there for injuries related to ongoing partner abuse. (David Adams, “Identifying the Assaultive Husband in Court: You be the Judge.” Boston Bar Journal, 33-4, July/August 1989) No statistics available on men.
One in four pregnant women have a history of partner violence. (Journal of the American Medical Association, 1992)

“Why does she stay with her abusive significant other?”

Women who leave their batterers are at a 75% greater risk of being killed by the batterer than those who stay. (Barbara Hart, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1988) No statistics available on men.