Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

BJS home page Intimate Partner Violence in the 

United States 

by Shannan Catalano, Ph.D.

BJS Statistician

Violence between intimates includes - 

homicides, rapes, robberies, and assaults 

committed by intimates. 

Intimate relationships involve - 

current or former spouses, boyfriends, or 

girlfriends, including same sex 

relationships. 

Intimates are distinguished from - 

- other relatives (parent, child, sibling, 

grandparent, in-law, cousin)

- acquaintances (friend, co-worker, 

neighbor, schoolmate, someone known)

- strangers (anyone not previously known 

by the victim) 

Domestic violence includes - 

intimate partner violence as well as 

violence between family members.

Violence between intimates is difficult to

measure --

because it often occurs in private, and 

victims are often reluctant to report 

incidents to anyone because of shame or 

fear of reprisal.

Sources: 

National Crime Victimization 

Survey (NCVS). See also NCVS 

methodology. 

Contents

● Overview

● Victim characteristics

Gender

Victim/offender relationship

Age

Marital status

Race

Hispanic origin 

Income

Home ownership

Children exposed to intimate

 partner violence

● Offender characteristics

Gender

Age 

Race

● Circumstances

Type of crime

Time

Place

Alcohol and drugs 

Presence of weapons

Location of residence 

 (urban, suburban, rural)

● Injury and treatment 

Threats and attacks

Type of threat

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

Supplementary Homicide Reports 

(SHR) of the FBI's Uniform Crime 

Reporting Program (UCR) as 

presented in Homicide Trends in 

the United States

Print version: PDF format (491K)

yp

Injury

Medical care

● Victim assistance

● Reporting to the police

Gender

Race

Hispanic origin

Reasons for not reporting

Additional information about the data

Definitions

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partners Violence in the U.S.: Household Characteristics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics

BJS home page

Contents of Intimate 

Partner Violence in 

the U.S.

 Next

· Definitions

· About the data

Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

Overview

Intimate partner violence has been declining.

Nonfatal intimate partner violence has declined since 1993.

To view data, click on the chart.

Homicides of intimates have declined, especially among male victims. 

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partners Violence in the U.S.: Household Characteristics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics

[D]

See Intimate homicide in Homicide Trends in the United States.

Nonfatal violence has declined since 1993, regardless of the relationship between the victim and the offender. 

To view data, click on the chart.

[D]

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Victim Characteristics 

BJS home page

Contents of Intimate 

Partner Violence in 

the U.S.

 Previous

 Next

· Definitions

· About the data

Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

Victim Characteristics

Gender | Age | Marital status | Race | Hispanic origin | Income | Home ownership | Children exposed to intimate partner 

violence

Gender

Females are more likely than males to experience nonfatal intimate partner violence.

On average between 2001 and 2005, nonfatal intimate partner victimizations represented —

● 22% of nonfatal violent victimizations against females age 12 or older 

● 4% of nonfatal violent victimizations against males age 12 or older.

Victim/offender relationship in nonfatal violent victimizations, by victim and 

gender, 2001-2005

Average annual rate per 1,000 persons age 

12 or older

Female Male 

Victim/offender relationship Rate Percent Rate Percent

 100% 100%

Intimate 4.2 21.5 0.9 3.6 

Other relative 1.7 8.9 1.2 4.6 

Friend/acquaintance 7.0 36.2 8.6 34.3 

Stranger 6.5 33.4 14.4 57.4 

For homicides, intimate partners committed —

● 30% of homicides of females.

● 5% of homicides of males.

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Victim Characteristics 

Homicide victim/offender relationship by victim gender, 1976-2005 

Percent of homicide victims

by gender

Victim/offender relationship Female Male

Total 100 % 100 %

Intimate 30.1 5.3

Other family 11.7 6.7

Acquaintance/Known 21.8 35.5

Stranger 8.8 15.5

Undetermined 27.7 37.1

Trends for nonfatal intimate partner victimization differ by gender.

The rate of nonfatal intimate partner victimization for —

● females was about 4 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older in 2005, down from about 10 in 1993.

● males remained stable between 2004 and 2005. 

To view data, click on the chart.

[D]

Homicides of intimates have declined, especially among male victims. 

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[D]

See Intimate homicide in Homicide Trends in the United States.

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Age 

For females of most age categories, nonfatal intimate partner victimization declined over time.

● In general, females ages 12 to 15 and age 50 or older were at the lowest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. 

● During 2005, females ages 35 to 49 were at a greater risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence than older females.

To view data, click on the chart.

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Victim Characteristics 

[D]

With the exception of males and females age 65 or older, average annual rates from 2001 through 2005 for nonfatal intimate 

partner victimization were higher for females than males within each age category.

● Females ages 20 to 24 were at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. 

● In general, males ages 12 to 15 and age 65 or older experienced the lowest rates of nonfatal intimate partner violence.

To view data, click on the chart.

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Victim Characteristics 

[D]

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Marital Status

Rates of nonfatal intimate partner violence for females who were married, divorced, separated, or never married were lower in 

2005 than in 1993. 

Females who were —

● separated reported higher rates than females of other marital status 

● married reported the lowest rates of nonfatal intimate partner violence. 

To view data, click on the chart.

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Victim Characteristics 

[D]

On average from 2001 to 2005, both females and males who were separated or divorced had the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate 

partner violence while persons who were married or widowed reported the lowest risk of violence.

To view data, click on the chart.

[D]

Most intimate homicides involved spouses, although in recent years the number of deaths by boyfriends and girlfriends was about 

the same.

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[D]

See Intimate homicide in Homicide Trends in the U.S.

To the top

Race

Between 1993 and 2005, rates of nonfatal intimate partner violence decreased for white females, white males, and black females.

Between 2004 and 2005, rates of intimate partner violence remained stable for —

● white females at 3.1 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older 

● black females at 4.6 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older

● white males at .7 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older

To view data, click on the chart.

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Victim Characteristics 

[D]

Intimate homicide rate has fallen for blacks in every relationship category, while the rate for whites has not changed for all 

categories.

[D]

See Intimate homicide in Homicide Trends in the U.S. 

The average annual rate of nonfatal intimate partner violence from 2001 to 2005 was —

● generally higher for American Indian and Alaskan Native females.

● similar for black females and white females.

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[D]

Note: In 2003 racial categories were changed. Caution is warranted when examining these categories over time. See National 

Crime Victimization Survey Methodology in Additional Information about the data for more details. Information about nonfatal 

intimate partner victimization of persons of other races is provided as average annual estimates because the small number of 

cases in each category was not sufficient for reliable annual estimates. Information is not provided for Asian males because the

small number of cases is insufficient for reliable analysis.

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Hispanic origin

Between 1993 and 2005, the rate of nonfatal intimate partner victimizations declined for —

● Hispanic females by two-thirds.

● Non-Hispanic females by over half.

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[D]

On average from 2001 to 2005, rates of intimate partner violence were similar for both Hispanic and non-Hispanic females and 

males.

[D]

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Income

From 2001 to 2005, for nonfatal intimate partner victimization —

● females living in households with lower annual incomes experienced the highest average annual rates.

● females remained at greater risk than males within each income level. 

To view data, click on the chart.

[D]

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Home ownership

From 2001 to 2005, for nonfatal intimate partner violence —

● average annual rates were higher for persons living in rental housing than other types of housing regardless of the victim's 

gender.

● females residing in rental housing were victimized at an average annual rate more than 3 times the rate of females living in 

owned housing.

● males residing in rental housing were victimized by an intimate partner about 3 times the rate of males living in owned 

housing.

Average annual rate of nonfatal intimate partner 

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Victim Characteristics 

victimization by home ownership, 1993-2005

Female Male

Home ownership

Owned 2.3 0.6

Rented 9.0 1.7

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Children exposed to intimate partner violence

On average between 2001 and 2005, children were residents of the households experiencing intimate partner violence in —

● 38% of the incidents involving female victims.

● 21% of the incidents involving male victims.

Average annual number and percentage of households experiencing 

nonfatal intimate partner violence where children under age 12 resided, 

by gender of victims, 2001-2005

Annual average 

Households with intimate partner 

violence victims Number Percent

All households with - 615,795 100%

Children 216,490 35.2 

No children 303,615 49.3 

Unknown 95,685 15.5 

 

Female victim households with - 510,970 100%

Children 194,455 38.1 

No children 235,940 46.2 

Unknown 80,580 15.8 

 

Male victim households with - 104,820 100%

Children 22,040 21.0 

No children 67,680 64.6 

Unknown 15,105 14.4 

The NCVS does not ask about the extent to which young children may have witnessed the violence.

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partners Violence in the U.S.: Offender Characteristics

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Contents of Intimate 

Partner Violence in the 

U.S.

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 Next

· Definitions

· About the data

Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

Offender Characteristics

Gender | Age | Race 

Gender

Nonfatal intimate partner violence is most frequently committed by individuals of opposite genders.

On average from 2001 to 2005 —

● about 96% of females experiencing nonfatal intimate partner violence were victimized by a male and about 3% reported that 

the offender was another female. 

● about 82% of males experiencing nonfatal intimate partner violence were victimized by a female and about 16% of males 

reported that the offender was another male. 

Average annual percent of nonfatal intimate partner victimizations by gender of 

victim and offender, 2001-2005 

Gender of offender

Gender of victim Total Male Female Both*

Female 100% 95.7% 3.1% 1.2%

Male 100 16.0 82.4 1.6 

Note: Detail may not add to 100% due to rounding.

*A respondent may report intimate partner violence by both genders if victimized by 

the intimate in association with another individual. 

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Age

On average, from 2001 to 2005, most victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence report that the age of the offender was similar to 

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partners Violence in the U.S.: Offender Characteristics

their own age. 

Average annual percent of nonfatal intimate partner victimizations by age of victim and offender, 2001-2005 

Age of offender

Age of victim 12-14 15-17 18-20 21-29 30 or older Mixed ages Don't know

12-14 16.7 % 75.5 % -- -- 7.8 % -- --

15-17 -- 58.9 23.4 % 10.8 % -- 3.4 % 3.5 %

18-20 -- 3.9 37.5 46.3 6.1 3.0 3.3

21-29 -- -- 4.5 65.7 26.0 1.6 2.2

30 and older 0.2 -- 0.1 8.7 88.7 0.3 2.0

--Information is not provided because the small number of cases is insufficient for reliable estimates.

Note: Detail may not add to 100% due to rounding. 

To the top

Race

Similar to other types of nonfatal violent victimization, nonfatal intimate partner violence is primarily intraracial in nature.

● About 84% of white victims were victimized by white offenders. 

● About 93% of black victims were victimized by black offenders.

Percent of nonfatal intimate partner victimizations by race of victim and perceived 

race of offender, 2001-2005 

Perceived race of offender

Race of victim Total White Black Other

White 100 % 84.3 6.0 9.7

Black 100 % 2.8 93.1 4.2

Other 100 % 39.9 22.1 37.9

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Note: Detail may not add to 100% due to rounding. In 2003 racial categories were 

changed so caution is warranted when examining racial categories over time. See 

National Crime Victimization Survey Methodology in Additional Information 

about the data for more details. Information about intimate partner victimization of 

persons of other races is not provided annually because the small number of cases 

in each category was insufficient for reliable annual estimates.

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Circumstances 

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Contents of Intimate 

Partner Violence in 

the U.S.

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 Next

· Definitions

· About the data

Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

Circumstances

Type of crime | Time | Place | Alcohol and drugs |

Presence of weapons | Location of residence (urban, suburban, rural)

Type of crime 

For nonfatal intimate partner violence, as for violent crime in general, simple assault is the most common type of violent crime. 

The long term trend for female victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence shows that between 1993 and 2005 —

● the rate of simple assault declined by about two-thirds.

● the rate of aggravated assault declined by two-thirds.

To view data, click on the chart.

[D]

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Circumstances 

On average between 2001 and 2005, females experienced higher rates of nonfatal intimate partner violence than males in each 

type of crime. 

To view data, click on the chart.

[D]

 See Intimate homicides in Homicide Trends in the U.S.

To the top

Time

Nonfatal intimate partner violence is more likely to occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

● Females and males experienced nonfatal intimate partner victimization at similar times during the day and night.

Average annual number and percent distributions of time of incident for nonfatal 

intimate partner violence, by gender of victim, 2001-2005 

Average annual

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Circumstances 

Number Percent

Female victims

Daytime (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) 192,425 37.7%

Nighttime (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) 302,485 59.2

Don't know 10,775 2.1

Male victims

Daytime (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) 38,360 36.6%

Nighttime (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) 62,070 59.2

Don't know 4,390 4.2

Note: Detail may not add to total due to rounding.

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Place

On average between 2001 and 2005 —

● the majority of nonfatal intimate partner victimizations occurred at home; approximately two-thirds of females and males were 

victimized at home.

● about 11% of female and 10% of male victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence were victimized at a friend's or neighbor's 

home.

Average annual number and percent distribution of location of incident for 

nonfatal intimate partner violence, by gender of victim, 2001-2005

Average annual

Number Percent

Female victims 510,970 100%

Victim's home 319,945 62.6

Near victim's home 48,075 9.4

Friend/neighbor's home 56,920 11.1

Commercial place 17,305 3.4

Parking lot or garage 21,535 4.2

School 9,750 1.9

Open area/street/public place 23,575 4.6

Other 13,870 2.7

Male victims 104,820 100%

Victim's home 63,075 60.2

Near victim's home 9,915 9.5

Friend/neighbor's home 10,660 10.2

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Commercial place 6,245 6

Parking lot or garage 4,295 4.1

School 570 0.5*

Open area/street/public place 4,730 4.5

Other 5,330 5.1

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Note: Detail may not add to totals due to rounding.

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Alcohol and drugs

On average between 2001 and 2005 —

● the presence of any alcohol or drugs was reported by victims in about 42% of all nonfatal intimate partner violence.

● victims reported that approximately 8% of all nonfatal intimate partner victimizations occurred when a perpetrator was under 

the influence of both alcohol and drugs.

● female and male victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence were equally likely to report the presence of alcohol during their

victimization.

● female and male victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence both reported their attacker was under the influence of drugs in 

about 6% of all victimizations. 

To view data, click on the chart.

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[D]

Note: Responses are based on perception of victim as to whether offender used alcohol or drugs. 

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Presence of weapons

On average between 2001 and 2005, for nonfatal intimate partner violence —

● male victims were more likely than female victims to face an offender armed with a weapon.

● female victims were more likely than male victims to face an offender armed with a firearm.

● about 6% of female and 10% of male victims faced an offender armed with a sharp weapon, such as a knife. 

Average annual number and percent distribution of type of weapon used in incidents where 

victim faced an armed offender, by gender, 2001-2005

Average annual number and percent of weapons used 

in nonfatal intimate partner violence

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Circumstances 

Female Male

Number Percent Number Percent

Total intimate partner victims 510,970 100% 104,820 100%

No weapon present 411,140 80.5 71,825 68.5

Weapon present 79,715 15.6 29,430 28.1

Firearm 18,485 3.6 515 0.5

Sharp weapon 28,625 5.6 10,350 9.9

Blunt objects 32,605 6.4 18,560 17.7

Do not know if offender

 had weapon 20,120 3.9 3,565 3.4

Note: The firearms category includes handguns, other guns, and incidents where the gun type 

was unknown. Sharp objects include knives and any other sharp objects. Blunt objects include 

other weapon types and those classified as a blunt object. The "other" weapon category refers 

to items not generally considered weapons but that were used as a weapon such bottles, rocks, 

and sticks. 

The number of female and male nonfatal intimate partner victims killed with guns has fallen. For female victims, the number of 

intimate partner victims killed by other weapons has remained stable. 

[D]

See Intimate homicide in Homicide Trends in the U.S. 

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Location of residence (urban, suburban, rural)

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On average between 2001 and 2005 —

● males and females living in urban areas reported the highest levels of nonfatal intimate partner violence.

● males and females residing in rural and suburban areas were equally likely to experience nonfatal intimate partner violence.

Average annual rate of nonfatal intimate partner 

violence, by location of residence, 2001-2005 

Female Male

Urban 5.5 1.4

Suburban 3.5 0.7

Rural 3.9 0.8

Intimate homicides made up a larger percentage of murders in rural areas than in suburban or urban areas.

[D]

See Trends by city size in Homicide Trends in the U.S.

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Injury and Treatment

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Contents of Intimate 

Partner Violence in the 

U.S.

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· Definitions

· About the data

Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

Injury and Treatment

Threats and attacks | Type of threat | Type of attack | Injury | Medical care

Threats and attacks

On average since 2001, for nonfatal intimate partner violence —

● about one-third of female and male victims reported that they were physically attacked.

● approximately two-thirds of female and male victims stated that they were threatened with attack. 

Average annual percent of threats, attempted attacks, and 

physical attacks in nonfatal intimate partner victimization, 2001-

2005

Percent of victims of 

intimate partner violence

Type of violence Female Male

Total 100% 100%

Attempt or threat 67.2 66.3

Physically attacked 32.8 33.7

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Type of threat

Between 2001 and 2005, for nonfatal intimate partner violence —

● 27% of female victims and 15% of male victims reported that the offender threatened to kill them.

● 23% of male victims were threatened with a weapon and 7% had an object thrown at them.

● about 1 in 10 female and male victims reported that the offender tried to hit, slap, or knock them down.

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Average annual percent of threats, by type, in nonfatal intimate partner violence 

crime, by gender, 2001-2005

Percent of victims of nonfatal 

intimate partner violence, 2001-

2005

Type of threat Female Male

Threatened to kill 26.9% 15.1%*

Threatened to rape 0.5* --

Threatened with harm 59.3 55.3

Threatened with a weapon 17.6 22.9

Threw object at victim 7.5 7.4*

Followed/surrounded victim 5.9 1.8*

Tried to hit, slap, or knock down victim 14.1 12.6*

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Note: Detail may not add to total because victims may have reported more than 

one type of threat.

--Information is not provided because the small number of cases is insufficient 

for reliable estimates.

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Type of attack

On average between 2001 and 2005, for nonfatal intimate partner violence —

● about two-thirds of female and male victims reported they were hit, slapped, or knocked down. 

● male victims were more likely than female victims to be grabbed, held, or tripped.

Average annual percent of attacks, by type, in nonfatal intimate 

partner violent crime, 2001-2005

Percent of victims of nonfatal 

intimate partner violence who 

were attacked

Type of attack Female Male

Raped 7.2% 0.8%*

Sexual assault 1.9 0.9

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Attacked with firearm 0.5* --

Attacked with knife 2.5 8*

Hit by thrown object 2.1 4.5*

Attacked with other weapon 0.8* 1.8*

Hit, slapped, knocked down 62.7 62.2

Grabbed, held, tripped 54.9 26

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

--Information is not provided because the small number of cases is 

insufficient for reliable estimates.

Note: Detail may not add to total because victims may have 

reported more than one type of attack.

To the top

Injury

On average between 2001 and 2005, half of all females experiencing nonfatal intimate partner violence suffered an injury from their 

victimization. 

Of female victims —

● about 5% were seriously injured and about 44% suffered minor injuries.

● about 3% were raped or sexually assaulted.

Average annual number and percent of injuries sustained by female victims 

as a result of nonfatal intimate partner violence, 2001-2005

Average annual

Intimate partner victim Number Percent

Total 510,970 100%

Not injured 248,805 48.7%

Injured 262,170 51.3%

Serious injury 25,710 5%

Gunshot wound 595 0.1*

Knife wounds 4,940 1*

Internal injuries 3,440 0.7*

Broken bones 12,155 2.4

Knocked unconscious 3,730 0.7*

Other serious injuries 855 0.2*

Rape/sexual assault without 

 additional injuries 13,350 2.6

Minor injuries only 222,670 43.6

Injuries unknown 435 0.1*

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Injury and Treatment

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Note: Total may not add to 100% due to rounding.

On average between 2001 and 2005, more than one-third of male victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence were injured; 4% 

were seriously injured and 36% suffered minor injuries. 

Average annual number and percent of injuries sustained by male victims as a result of 

nonfatal intimate partner violence, 2001-2005

Average annual

Number Percent

Total intimate partner victims 104,820 100%

Not injured 61,285 58.5%

Injured 43,540 41.5%

Serious injury 4,335 4.1*

Minor injuries only 38,050 36.3

Rape/sexual assault without other injuries 580 0.6*

Injuries unknown 570 0.5%*

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Note: Detail may not add to totals due to rounding. 

To the top

Medical care

On average between 2001 and 2005 for nonfatal intimate partner violence —

● less than one-fifth of victims reporting an injury sought treatment following the injury.

● about 8% of female and 10% of male victims were treated at the scene of the injury or in their home.

● females experiencing an injury were more likely than their male counterparts to seek treatment at a hospital.

Average annual percent of medical treatment sought as a result 

of nonfatal intimate partner violence, by gender, 2001-2005

Average annual

Female Male 

Not injured 48.7% 58.5%

Injured 51.3% 41.5%

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Injured, not treated 32.8 27.9

Treated for injury 18.5 13.1

At scene or home 8.3 9.8

Doctor's office or clinic 1.3 0.6*

Hospital 8.7 2.8*

Not admitted 8.4 2.8*

Admitted 0.3 --

Other locale 0.2 --

Don't know -- 0.5%*

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

 -- Information is not provided because the small number of 

cases was insufficient for reliable estimates.

Note: Detail may not add to totals due to rounding.

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Victim assistance

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Contents of Intimate 

Partner Violence in the 

U.S.

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 Next

· Definitions

· About the data

Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

Victim assistance

On average since 2001, about 23% of female victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence and 9% of male victims contacted an 

outside agency for assistance. Additionally — 

● despite apparent differences, male victims were equally likely to contact a government or private agency for assistance 

regarding the victimization.

● of those victims contacting an outside agency, 38% of females and males contacted a private agency for assistance 

regarding the victimization.

Among victims who sought assistance, by type 

of aid sought, 2001-2005 

Average annual percent

Source of aid Female Male

Government 61.8 % 62.1 %

Private 38.2 * 37.9

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Reporting to police 

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Partner Violence in the 

U.S.

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· Definitions

· About the data

Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

Reporting to the Police

Gender | Race | Hispanic origin | Reasons for not reporting

Gender

Between 1994 and 2005, reporting to police of nonfatal intimate partner victimization increased for female victims. 

To view data, click on the chart.

[D]

Note: See National Crime Victimization Survey Methodology for discussion of estimating change in the reporting of 

victimizations to the police.

To the top

Race

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For the 2001 to 2005 period, the percentage of nonfatal intimate partner victimizations reported to the police was —

● higher for black females than white females.

● higher for black females than black males.

● about the same for black and white males.

[D]

Note: Beginning in 2003 the racial categories are white/black/other "only" and "two or more races." "Other race" includes American 

Indians/Alaska Natives, Asians, and Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders identifying a single racial background. See National 

Crime Victimization Survey Methodology in Additional Information about the data for more details.

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Hispanic origin 

Between 2001 and 2005, the percentage of nonfatal intimate partner victimizations reported to the police was -

● about the same for Hispanic and non-Hispanic females.

● higher for male Hispanic victims than non-Hispanic males.

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[D]

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Reasons for not reporting

Private or personal matter was the most frequent reason given for not reporting nonfatal intimate partner violence to police. On

average between 2001 and 2005, almost 40% of male and 22% of female victims gave this reason. 

The reasons stated for not notifying police about the nonfatal intimate partner victimization were -- 

● fear of reprisal for 12% of female victims.

● to protect the offender for 14% of female and 16% of male victims.

● because the police would not do anything for 8% of female victims.

Average annual percent of reasons nonfatal intimate partner violence was not reported to 

the police, by gender of the victim 

Percent of victims who did not report the 

victimization

Reason victimizations not reported Female victims Male victims

Private or personal matter 21.8% 39.2%

Afraid of reprisal 12.4 5.3*

Protect offender 14.4 15.6

Minor crime 8.4 8.5*

Police will not do anything 7.9 --

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Police ineffectiveness 2.7 2*

Inconvenient 3.4 1.4*

Reported to another official 3.1 --*

Police biased 1.3* 1.2*

Not clear a crime occurred 1.9* 8.6*

Don't know why I did not report it 0.6* 1.2*

Other reason given 22.0 17.1

--Information is not provided because the small number of cases is insufficient for reliable 

estimates.

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases. 

Note: Detail may not add to 100% because victims may report more than one reason and 

because of values not shown in instances when the small number of cases in category is 

insufficient for reliable estimates. 

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partners Violence in the U.S.: Additional information about the data

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Contents of Intimate 

Partner Violence in the 

U.S.

· Definitions

Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

Additional Information about data

Data sources | National Crime Victimization Survey Methodology | Additional sources

Data Sources

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) gathers data about crimes using an ongoing, nationally representative sample of 

households in the United States. NCVS data include information about crime victims (age, gender, race ethnicity, marital status,

income, and educational level), criminal offenders (gender, race, approximate age, and victim-offender relationships) and the 

nature of the crime (for example, time and place of occurrence, use of weapons and nature of injury). NCVS victimization data 

include incidents reported and not reported to police. 

The tables on nonfatal intimate partner victimization in this report include data from the re-designed National Crime Victimization 

Survey (NCVS) for 1993-2004. Interviews are conducted with households and individuals regarding their experiences with crime. 

The victims recall the incidents and the data are not verified through other data sources. The survey relies on the victim's ability to 

accurately recall the characteristics of each incident. 

The experiences and estimates of intimate partner violence reflect those of the individuals residing in households. It does not 

capture the experiences of homeless individuals or those living in institutional settings such shelters for homeless or battered

persons. 

The FBI's, Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR) of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program collects data about homicide 

incidents submitted monthly by local law enforcement agencies with details on victim and offender characteristics. These reports

include information on the month and year of an offense, on the reporting agency and its residential population, county and 

Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) codes, geographic division, and population group, on the age, race, and sex of victims and 

offenders, victim/offender relationship, weapon use, and circumstance of the crime. For the years 1976-2005, contributing agencies 

provide supplemental data for 538,210 of the estimated 594,277 murders. Supplemental data are also reported for 597,359 of the 

estimated 659,862 offenders. For more on methods used with these data, see Homicide Trends About the data. 

To the top

National Crime Victimization Survey Methodology

Data on rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault come from the National Crime Victimization 

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Survey (NCVS). The NCVS gathers data on crimes against persons age 12 or older, reported and not reported to the police, from 

a nationally representative sample of U.S. households. The NCVS provides information about victims (age, gender, race, ethnicity, 

marital status, income, and educational level), offenders (gender, race, approximate age, and victim-offender relations) and the

nature of the crime (time and place of occurrence, use of weapons, nature of injury, and economic consequences). 

In 2005, 77,200 households and 134,000 individuals age 12 and older were interviewed. Between 1993 and 2005, response rates 

varied between 91% and 96% of eligible households and between 84% and 93% of eligible individuals. 

Standard error computations

Comparisons of percentages and rates are tested to determine if observed differences are statistically significant. Only those 

comparisons that are statistically significant are reported. Differences described as higher, lower, or different pass a hypothesis test 

at the .05 level of statistical significance (95% confidence level). The tested difference is greater than twice the standard error of 

that difference. For comparisons that are statistically significant at the 0.10 level (90% confidence level), "somewhat," "slightly," or 

"marginally" is used to note the nature of the difference. 

In some instances, the sample size used to generate an estimate is small. While the estimate is reliable, it is also likely associated 

with a relatively large confidence interval and should be viewed with caution.

Caution is required when comparing estimates not explicitly discussed. What may appear to be large or small differences may or 

may not test as statistically significant at the 95% or the 90% confidence level. Significance testing calculations are conducted at 

the Bureau of Justice Statistics using statistical programs developed specifically for the NCVS by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. 

These programs take into consideration many aspects of the complex NCVS sample design when calculating generalized variance 

estimates.

For additional information about NCVS methodology visit:

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict.htm#ncvs

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/cvus/cvus04mt.pdf

Series crimes

This report includes data on series victimizations. A series crime incident is defined by the NCVS as a crime in which a respondent 

experiences at least six similar victimization incidents during the given reference period (previous six months) but can not report the 

date and details of each clearly enough to report them separately. These incidents are recorded as one incident and included in all 

tables. The characteristics of the incident are based on those represented in the last incident in the series.

Series data are included for analyses where repeat victimization is an important aspect of the subject being analyzed. This report 

includes series victimizations in estimates of intimate partner violence, counting a series as one victimization.

Marital Status

Marital status is based on the respondent's situation at the time of the interview, not necessarily at the time of the victimization. The 

survey is not able to determine whether a victim's marital status changed between the victimization and the interview, not 

necessarily at the time of the victimization. The survey is not able to determine whether a victim's marital status changed between 

the victimization and the interview. 

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Caution is warranted when interpreting intimate partner violence and marital status in the NCVS because marital status may be 

related to a respondent's willingness or ability to disclose violence by an intimate partner. For example, a married woman may not 

view, may not wish to view, or may be unable to report the behavior of her partner as violent or criminal. That same woman, if 

separated or divorced, may view or may be able to report the same behavior as violent.

Race and Hispanic Origin Categories

In 1997 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) introduced new guidelines for the collection and reporting of race and 

ethnicity data in government surveys. These methodological changes were implemented for all demographic surveys as of January 

1, 2003. Individuals are now allowed to choose more than one racial category. In prior years they were asked to select a single 

primary race.

Racial categories presented in this report now consist of the following: 

● White only, 

● Black only, 

● American Indian/Alaska Native only

● Asian/Pacific Islander only (if only one of these races is given), 

● Two or more races (all persons of any race indicating two or more races).

About 0.9% of persons in the NCVS sample and about 2.6% of victims of violence identified two or more races. Individuals are now

asked whether they are of Hispanic origin before being asked about their race, and are now asked directly if they are Hispanic or 

Latino.

Victimization rates as compared to victimization counts

These analyses incorporate rates per 1,000 persons age 12 or older. Because populations may vary over time, using rates takes 

into account the size of the population being examined. This allows for accurate comparisons of groups of differing sizes as well as 

changes in populations over time. Examining counts alone ignores these differences in populations and can lead to misleading 

conclusions.

Estimating change in the reporting of intimate partner victimizations to police

Since 1995, the NCVS has undergone sample reductions because of the escalating costs of data collection. At the same time, the 

rate of violence has continued to decline. The combination of fewer survey respondents and less crime has resulted in a diminished 

ability to detect statistically significant year-to-year changes in rates of relatively rare crimes such as intimate partner violence 

against males.

To the top

Additional sources

This list is in order of the most recent publication first. Additional titles are listed on other topical pages and a comprehensive list is 

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contained on the BJS publications page. To see a full abstract of a publication with links to electronic versions of the publication, 

click on the title below. 

Homicide Trends in the United States

Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001. NCJ 197838 (February 2003)

Reporting Crime to the Police. NCJ 195710 (March 2003)

Intimate Partner Violence and Age of Victim, 1993-1999. NCJ 187635 (Oct. 2001)

Intimate Partner Violence. NCJ 178247 (May 2000)

Violence by Intimates. NCJ 167237 (March 1998)

Violence against Women: Estimates from the Redesigned Survey. NCJ 154348 (August 1995)

Violence between Intimates. NCJ 149259 (November 1994)

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Bureau of Justice Statistics Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.: Definitions

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Contents of Intimate 

Partner Violence in the 

U.S.

· About the data

Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.

Definitions

Definitions of relationships used in this report

Intimates --

spouses or ex-spouses 

boyfriends and girlfriends 

ex-boyfriends and ex-girlfriends

Other relatives --

parents or step parents

children or stepchildren

brothers or sisters

some other relative

Acquaintances --

friends or former friends

roommates or boarders

schoolmates

neighbors

someone at work

some other known non-relative

A stranger is anyone not previously known by the victim

The FBI, through the SHR, and BJS, using the NCVS, gather information about the relationship between the victim and offender 

using different relationship categories. In this report responses to the victim-offender question from both datasets are collapsed into 

four relationship groups: intimate, friend/acquaintance, other family, and stranger. These groups are created from the following

original response categories:

Report category NCVS categories SHR categories 

Intimate Spouse

Ex-spouse 

Boyfriend/girlfriend 

Ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend 

Same sex relationship

Husband/wife

Common-law husband or wife

Ex-husband/ex-wife 

Boyfriend/girlfriend 

Same sex relationship

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Friend/acquaintance Friend/ex-friend 

Roommate/boarder 

Schoolmate 

Neighbor 

Someone at work/customer 

Other non-relative 

Acquaintance

Friend 

Neighbor

Employee 

Employer 

Other known 

Other family Parent or step parent 

Own child or stepchild 

Brother/sister

Other relative

Mother/father

Son/daughter

Brother/sister 

In-law

Stepfather/stepmother

Stepson/stepdaughter

Other family

Stranger Stranger

Known by sight only

Stranger

Definitions of violent crimes:

Homicide: murder and non-negligent manslaughter is defined as the willful killing of one human being by another.

Rape: forced sexual intercourse, including both psychological coercion and physical force. Forced sexual intercourse means 

vaginal, anal, or oral penetration by the offender(s). This category includes incidents where the penetration is from a foreign object 

such as a bottle. This definition includes attempted rapes, male and female victims, and heterosexual and homosexual rape.

Sexual assault: includes a wide range of victimizations, distinct from rape or attempted rape. These crimes include completed or 

attempted attacks generally involving unwanted sexual contact between the victim and offender. Sexual assaults may or may not 

involve force and include such things as grabbing or fondling. Sexual assault also includes verbal threats.

Robbery: completed or attempted theft, directly from a person, of property or cash by force or threat of force, with or without a 

weapon, and with or without injury.

Assault: the unlawful physical attack or threat of attack. Assaults may be classified as aggravated or simple. Rape, attempted 

rape, and sexual assaults are excluded from this category, as well as robbery and attempted a robbery. The severity of assaults 

ranges from minor threat to incidents which are nearly fatal.

Aggravated assault: the attack or attempted attack with a weapon, regardless of whether or not an injury occurred and attack 

without a weapon when serious injury results.

Simple assault: an attack without a weapon resulting either in no injury, minor injury (for example, bruises, black eyes, cuts or in 

undetermined injury requiring less than 2 days of hospitalization. Also includes attempted assault without a weapon.

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