Do

V

Vict

■ Intimate partner violence made up 22 percent

of the violent crimes against women between 1993and 1998. (Intimate Partner Violence.

Washington,

DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000)

■ In 1998, women experienced about 900,000 violent offenses at the hands of an intimate partner,

and men were victims of about 160,000 violentcrimes by an intimate partner. (Intimate PartnerViolence.

Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice

Statistics, 2000)

■ In 1998, one-half of the female intimate violence

victims were physically injured, and 37 percentsought professional medical treatment. (IntimatePartner Violence.

Washington, DC: Bureau of

Justice Statistics, 2000)

■ A study of more than 1,000 high school students

found that 45.5 percent of girls and 43.2 percentof boys reported being the victim of violencefrom dating partners at least once. (O’Keefe,Maura, and Laura Trester. “Victims of DatingViolence Among High School Students.”Violence Against Women 4(2): 195–223, 1998)

■ In 1999, 32 percent of all female murder victims

were killed by their current or former spouses orboyfriends, whereas 3 percent of male murdervictims were killed by their current or formerspouses or girlfriends. (Crime in the United States1999.

Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of

Investigation, 2000)

■ Among women, being black, young, divorced, or

separated; earning lower incomes; living in rentalhousing; and living in an urban area were allassociated with higher rates of intimate partnervictimization between 1993 and 1998. (Intimate

Partner Violence.

Washington, DC: Bureau of

Justice Statistics, 2000)

■ During 1997, the National Coalition of AntiViolence Programs (NCAVP) documented 3,327

cases of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender domestic violence victimization. Men reported 1,746of the incidents, women reported 1,581 of the incidents. (Annual Report on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, andTransgender Domestic Violence. New York, NY: National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 1998)

Resources for Information

and Assistance

Advocates for Abused and Battered Lesbians

206–547–8191 (TTY response on request)

www.aabl.org

Family Violence Prevention Fund

1–888–RX–ABUSE or 1–888–792–2873

www.fvpf.org

National Center for Victims of Crime

1–800–FYI–CALL or 1–800–394–2255

www.ncvc.org

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

303–839–1852

www.ncadv.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1–800–799–SAFE or 1–800–799–7233

TTY 1–800–787–3224

www.ndvh.org

National Organization for Victim Assistance

1–800–TRY–NOVA or 1–800–879–6682

www.try-nova.org

Office for Victims of Crime Resource Center

1–800–627–6872

TTY 1–877–712–9279

www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ovcres/welcome.html

Violence Against Women Office

202–307–6026

www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo

This brochure was developed by the National Center for 

Victims of Crime under a project supported by Grant No.

97–VF–GX–K007 awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime,

Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

Points of view in this document are those of the author

and do not necessarily represent the official position

or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is not a private matter. It is a seriouscrime and public health concern that can includephysical, sexual, psychological, or emotional abuse ofone current or former intimate partner by another. Youcan be a victim of domestic violence no matter howold you are, what your racial or cultural backgroundmay be, what type of education you have, how muchmoney you have, or what your religious beliefs may be.Domestic violence is usually not a single event andoften becomes more severe and frequent over time.Many batterers are not violent in other relationships,such as at work or with friends. They routinely denythe domestic violence and the severity of that violence. When confronted with their abusive behavior,they tend to blame their partner for provoking it orrefuse to accept responsibility for it.Many factors may contribute to abuse. Some battererslack the ability to control their actions and do notknow how to react appropriately and nonviolentlyto stress and dissatisfaction. A need for power and control, an abusive family background, feelings of inadequacy, and stress all may contribute to abusive behavior. Alcoholism or drug abuse do not cause domesticviolence, but being drunk or high does intensify existing violent behaviors.Domestic violence victims suffer physical injuries thatendanger their health and may result in lifelong disabilities. These injuries may interfere with job performance and result in dismissal or lost promotionopportunities. Besides physical violence, abusers mayuse emotional and verbal abuse, isolation, and threatsto maintain power and control over their partners.Threats, whether of violence, suicide, or takingaway children, are a very common tactic used bybatterers.The emotional effects of domestic violencecan often be more devastating than the physical assaults. Victims may lose touch withfriends and family due to abusers’ attempts toisolate them. As a victim’s support system breaksdown, so does his or her self-esteem. Domesticviolence affects every family member, even if he or shehas not been abused.

If You Are a Victim ofDomestic ViolenceThe most difficult step for you to take is to admit thatyou are being or have been abused by your partner.Remember, your partner’s violence is the problem, notyou. You do not provoke it. You do not deserve it.You may feel trapped, alone, and that you have lostcontrol of your life. You may have nightmares or flashbacks of abusive incidents. Your eating and sleepinghabits may change. You may feel depressed or hopelessand lack interest in things you once enjoyed. Thephysical and emotional suffering you experience mayseem to use up all the energy you have.Your safety is the first priority, and only you can trulyjudge what will be the safest and best way to handleyour situation. Leaving an abusive relationship is notalways the safest solution. Many domestic assaultsoccur while a victim is trying to leave the relationship.If you are being abused, you should consider all optionswhen trying to find a way to end the violence as safelyas possible.Every person in an abusive relationship needs a safetyplan that has been developed for that person’s situationand circumstances. Domestic violence shelters andadvocates can help you develop one for your situation.If you feel it is safe, let trusted friends and family knowabout your situation. They can be part of your safetyplan. Know where to get help. Tell someone what ishappening to you.Where can you get help?

Remember, as a domestic violence victim, you are

not alone. Do not lose hope. The support network in your community may include counseling services, hotlines, support groups, legal

resources, and shelters that can give you support, advice, financial assistance, counseling,

and legal help.

Your local women’s center, shelter, or domestic

violence program can help you obtain protection or

restraining orders from local law enforcement and 

family court offrestraining ordeavailable and th

of orders vari

tic violenc

about ho

nity. Ad

what yo

victim a

informat

services, su

and financial 

telephone numbnear you, call thHotline at 1–80or 1–800–787–3All states now hgrams that reimexpenses, includother financial ngible, you must cooperate with tassistance progracompensation aMany communiwhich help abusParticipation in condition when violence chargeabuser is the onlent behavior.Domestic violenWith adequate rnew lives.

What are domestic ■ From one-f

physically aduring theiWomen: RJournal of th267(23): 19