The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that a woman is beaten in her home every 15 seconds. Approximately 44,000 women are beaten by their husbands each year in New Hampshire. During 1993, New Hampshire's domestic violence pro grams received calls from 5,126 battered women and 85 battered men seeking assistance.
Domestic violence includes physical, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse between partners.
It occurs in families from all economic, educational, racial and religious backgrounds. Battering becomes more frequent and more severe over time, sometimes leading to murder or suicide. A recent study concluded that battering accounts for one fourth of all suicide attempts by women. Men batter to control or dominate their partners. Violence is a behavioral choice for which the batterer must take responsibility.