The Facts About 

Domestic Violence 

Intimate partner violence made up 22 percent of the 

violent crimes against women and 5 percent of the 

violent crimes against men in 2010.1

In 2010, 407,700 women and 101,530 men were 

victimized by an intimate partner.2

In 2010, 37.5 percent of all female murder victims 

were killed by a current or former spouse or 

boyfriend.3

From 2001 to 2005, one-half of female intimate 

partner violence victims were physically injured 

and 18.5 percent were treated for their injury.4

Approximately one in three adolescent girls in the 

United States is a victim of physical, emotional, or 

verbal abuse from a dating partner.5

During 2008, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs documented 3,419 cases of lesbian, 

gay, bisexual, and transgender domestic violence 

victimization, 9 of which resulted in murder.6

In 2008, 1 in 10 children under the age of 18 

(9.8%) had witnessed one family member assault 

another; 1 in 5 (20.3%) reported witnessing a 

family assault sometime during their lifetime.7

Resources for Information 

and Assistance

National Domestic Violence Hotline 

1–800–799–SAFE or 1–800–799–7233 

1–800–787–3224 (TTY) 

www.thehotline.org

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 

303–839–1852 

www.ncadv.org 

National Center for Victims of Crime 

202–467–8700 

www.ncvc.org

This product was developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime under 

an agreement with ICF International in support of the Office for Victims 

of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center under contract number 

GS–23F–8182H/OJP–2006F_124. The opinions, findings, and conclusions 

or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do 

not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department 

of Justice.

Domestic Violence 

Endnotes

1

Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2011, Criminal Victimization, 2010,

Washington, DC.

2

Ibid. 

3

Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2011, Crime in the United States, 

2010, Washington, DC. 4

Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2007, Intimate Partner Violence,

Washington, DC.

5

A. Davis, September 2008, “Interpersonal and Physical Violence 

Among Teens,” Focus: Views from the National Council on Crime and 

Delinquency.

6

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 2008. Lesbian, Gay, 

Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence in the United States in 

2008, New York. 7

D. Finkelhor et al., 2009, Children’s Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey. Bulletin. Washington, DC. U.S. Department 

of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and 

Delinquency Prevention. 

OVC

HELP sERIEs

for Crime Victims
What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a term that covers many types 

of acts committed by a current or former intimate 

partner against another, or within a family. It can 

take the form of physical violence, sexual abuse, 

emotional or psychological abuse, financial abuse, 

or other controlling behavior. It can include threats, 

such as threatening to commit suicide or take the 

children away from the victim. Victims of domestic 

violence can be of any age, racial or cultural background, education level, financial level, religion, 

gender, or sexual orientation. 

Domestic violence is usually not a single event 

and often becomes more severe and frequent 

over time. Many batterers are not violent in other 

relationships, such as at work or with friends. They 

routinely deny that the abuse occurred, minimize its 

severity, or blame the victim for the abuse. 

Many factors contribute to domestic violence and 

abusive behavior—abusive family background, feelings of inadequacy, and stress. But ultimately it is 

driven by an abuser’s need for power and control. 

Being drunk or high may intensify existing violent 

behaviors, but alcohol or drug abuse does not 

cause domestic violence. Regardless of the underlying factors, the batterer is responsible for his or her 

actions—not the victim.

Domestic violence affects not only the direct victim, 

but also those who witness it. Children are particularly affected: those living with family violence are 

more likely to have problems with anxiety, selfesteem, depression, anger, and temperament. 

If You Are a Victim of 

Domestic Violence

The most difficult step for you to take is to admit 

that you are being or have been abused by your 

partner. Remember, your partner’s violence is the 

problem, not you. You do not provoke it. You do not 

deserve it. 

The physical and emotional suffering you experience 

may have long- and short-term effects. The suffering 

may seem to use up all of your energy. You may feel 

trapped, alone, and that you have lost control of 

your life. You may question yourself and your reactions. Regardless of your reactions, it is important to 

remember that every victim is different, as is every 

response to domestic violence. The reactions you 

are having to your abuse are normal. 

Your safety is the first priority. Every person in an 

abusive relationship should have a safety plan—

concrete steps you can take to stay safe or to get 

to a safe place if you or your family is in danger. 

Domestic violence shelters and advocates in your 

community can help you develop a safety plan that 

is tailored for your individual situation. The people 

closest to you can be part of your safety plan. Let 

trusted friends and family members know about your 

situation, unless doing so will endanger you in any 

way. Know where to get help. Tell someone what is 

happening to you. 

Remember, as a domestic violence victim, you are 

not alone. Do not lose hope. 

Where Can You Get Help?

A domestic violence advocate can help you learn 

about your rights as a victim of domestic violence 

and provide you with information about your legal 

options, such as reporting the crime to local law 

enforcement or obtaining a protective order. An 

advocate can also connect you with your local 

women’s center, shelter, or domestic violence program, which can be another important resource for 

emotional support, shelter, or financial assistance. 

Local police, hospitals, churches, family or conciliation courts, crisis intervention services, or departments of health and human services can also give 

you information about local resources. 

All states have crime victim compensation programs 

that reimburse victims for certain out-of-pocket 

expenses, including medical expenses, lost wages, 

and other financial needs considered reasonable. 

To be eligible, you must report the crime to the police and cooperate with the criminal justice system. 

Victim assistance programs in your community can 

give you more information about applying. 

It is important to remember that the abuser is the 

only one who can change his or her violent behavior. Many communities have batterers’ programs, 

which try to help abusers learn how to control or 

change their behavior. Participation in these programs is often a court-ordered condition when batterers are convicted of domestic violence charges. 

Whatever type of domestic violence situation you 

are in, resources are available to you. You deserve 

help. You deserve support. You deserve to feel safe.