Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Violence against women is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior, and thus is part of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence results in physical injury, psychological trauma, and sometimes death. The consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and truly last a lifetime.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
More than 27% of young people have been victims of physical dating violence.
However, if these figures included emotional and verbal abuse the percentage of those effected would rise to almost 50%.
An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.
Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.
Witnessing violence between one’s parents or caretakers is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.
