In the u.s., a woman is more likely to be assaulted, injured, raped, or killed by a male partner than any other type of assailant. Battering is the number one cause of injury to women in the u.s. Attacks by husbands on wives result in more injuries requiring medical treatment than rapes, muggings, and auto accidents combined. Violence will occur at least once in two thirds of all marriages. Eight million children are affected by domestic violence each year.
Domestic violence occurs among all races and socioeconomic groups.
Battered women attempting to leave abusive relationships are often attacked and threatened with murder or violence. Some endure violence because they feel responsible for keeping the family together or protecting their children. Women and their children may also be economically dependent and feel unable to survive on their own. Battered women who resort to homicide have often tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to obtain protection from their abusers.