Every year, up to 4 million women in the U.S. are abused by their husbands, ex-husbands, or boyfriends. That is why October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Domestic violence is a serious crime.
Research shows that abusive behavior takes place in urban and rural communities, among people of all income levels, educational backgrounds, ethnic groups, nationalities and religions. Attacks by husbands on wives result in more injuries that require medical attention than rape, auto accidents, and muggings combined. Children are also seriously affected by domestic violence in the home. Over half of the children of battered mothers are likely to be physically abused themselves. That abuse can affect their health, prevent them from attending school, and adversely affect their self-image.