Each year, more than two million women are victims of domestic violence, and one million children are physically abused. In North Dakota, it is a crime for any person to threaten, beat, sexually assault, or otherwise harm another person, even if they are married. Battering is not exclusively a crime against women, but they are the majority affected. One of every two families in the United States is involved in domestic violence at some time.
Domestic violence is a repetitive pattern in people s lives.
Victims or witnesses of domestic violence in childhood are mostly likely to repeat such acts as adults. The current incidence of domestic violence cannot be tolerated. Too many women are beaten. Too many children are abused. Too many homes are battlegrounds.