Domestic violence is a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as economic coercion, that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partners. However, there are certainly cases where the victim is male or the perpetrator is female. Fortunately, victims of domestic violence can get help. Below is a list of resources in the Chicago area. Please call one of these resources if you have questions or would like to speak with someone about domestic violence.
Domestic violence is very common.
In this country, it is estimated that between 2 and 4 million women are physically abused each year. One out of every four American women report they have been physically abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. Thirty percent of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women. Complications of pregnancy, including low weight gain, anemia, infections, and first and second trimester bleeding are significantly higher for abused women as are maternal rates of depression, suicide attempts, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use.