Live in the Light

Domestic Violence Statistics

	Domestic violence is a leading cause of injury and death to women worldwide.
	The World Health Organization says that one in five women around the globe is physically or sexually abused in her lifetime.
	Gender violence causes more death and disability among women aged 15-44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents or war.
	Women worldwide tell governments that family violence is one of their biggest concerns.
	Young wives (under 25) in Canada are at the greatest risk of murder by a violent husband.
	The U.S. surgeon general reports that domestic violence is the greatest single cause of injury among U.S. women, accounting for more emergency room visits than traffic accidents, muggings and rape combined.
	Approximately 95% of the victims of domestic violence are women (Department of Justice figures).Every 9 seconds in the United States a woman is assaulted and beaten.
	4,000 women a year are assaulted by their partners.
	Every day, 4 women are murdered by boyfriends or husbands.
	93% of women who killed their mates had been battered by them. 67% killed them to protect themselves and their children at the moment of murder.
	25% of all crime is wife assault.
	70% of men who batter their partners either sexually or physically abuse their children.
	73% of the battered women seeking emergency medical services have already separated from the abuser.
	Women are most likely to be killed when attempting to leave the abuser. In fact, they are at a 75% higher risk than those who stay.
	Up to 37% of all women experience battering. This is an estimated 566,000 women in Minnesota alone.
	Battering often occurs during pregnancy. One study found that 37% of pregnant women, across all class, race and educational lines, were physically abused during pregnancy.
	60% of all battered women are beaten while they are pregnant.
	34% of the female homicide victims over age 15 are killed by their husbands, ex-husbands, or boyfriends.
	2/3 of all marriages will experience domestic violence at least once.
	Weapons are used in 30% of domestic violence incidents.
	Approximately 1,155,600 adult American women have been victims of one or more forcible rapes by their husbands.
	Over 90% of murder-suicides involving couples are perpetrated by the man. 19-26% of male spouse-murderers committed suicide.
	Abusive husbands and lovers harass 74% of employed battered women at work, either in person or over the telephone, causing 20% to lose their jobs.
	Physical violence in dating relationships ranges from 20-35%.
	It is estimated that between 20% to 52% of high school and college age dating couples have engaged in physical abuse.
	More than 50% of child abductions result from domestic violence.
	In 1991, only 17 states kept data on reported domestic violence offenses. These reports were limited to murder, rape, robbery, and serious bodily harm.
	More than half of battered women stay with their batterer because they do not feel that they can support themselves and their children alone.
	In homes where domestic violence occurs, children are abused at a rate 1,500% higher than the national average.
	Up to 64% of hospitalized female psychiatric patients have histories of being physically abused as adults.
	50% of the homeless women and children in the U.S. are fleeing abuse.
	Injuries that battered women receive are at least as serious as injuries suffered in 90% of violent felony crimes.

 Additional statistics from the research conducted by Dr. Paul Hegstrom which can be reviewed in his book, Angry Men and the Women Who Love Them:

 Breaking the Cycle of Physical and Emotional Abuse are as follows:

Domestic abuse is the most underreported crime in America---only 10% report.

 

	Domestic violence is the leading cause of injuries to women ages 15 to 44, more common than auto accidents, muggings, rapes & cancer deaths combined.
	Every 9 seconds a woman is battered.
	In 24 to 30 percent of all homes violence occurs on a regular, ongoing basis.
	Approximately 95% of victims of domestic violence are women.
	Violence will occur at least once in 50% of all marriages.
	Weapons are used in 30% of domestic violence incidents.
	According to a report from the National Organization for Women, an average 10 women per day are killed by their batterers.
	Women who leave their batterers are at a 75% greater risk of being killed by the batterer than are those who stay.
	Up to 50% pf all homeless women and children in this country are fleeing domestic violence.
	Of children who witness wife battering, 40% suffer anxiety, 48% suffer depression, 53% act out with parents, and 60% act out with siblings.