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We know that:
- Domestic violence has the highest rate of repeat victimization of any crime.
- On average two women per week are killed by a male partner or former partner; nearly half of all female murder victims are killed by a partner or ex-partner;
- About 30 men are killed by a female partner or former partner each year, of which some number are related to self defense following a history of abuse. But figures show that domestic violence is predominantly violence by men against women.
- Among women, risks of domestic violence do not differ significantly by ethnic origin; people in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) communities experience domestic violence in a similar proportion to the rest of the population (about one in four) and;
- More than a third of children in a violent home are aware of the abuse – that figure increases to 50% if the violence is repeated. Children may attempt to stop the violence and so put themselves at risk;
- Domestic violence occurs across society regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth and geography.
The impact of domestic violence on its victims is profound:
- Domestic violence causes lasting damage to its victim’s physical
and mental health (More than 50% of women who seek mental
health services have had violent or abusive experiences)
affecting their ability to work, to support themselves, to maintain
self-confidence and to move on and build a new life;
- Domestic violence is a major cause of homelessness,
accounting for about 16% of homeless shelter placements.
- Growing up in a household with domestic violence can have a negative
impact on, among other things, academic achievement and the likelihood
of school attendance.
Sources:
- US Department of Justice – Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1994
- APA – 1996
- Jane Doe, Inc. – 2000
- U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services
- Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations, 1995
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