95 percent of the victims of spousal abuse are women. Every 15 seconds a woman is beaten. 50 percent of women experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. In 70 percent of homes where the wife is beaten, children are also the victims of abuse. More than 50 percent of women left their homes to escape a battery situation.
Domestic violence is the most unreported crime in the United States.
Domestic violence is the single largest cause of injury to women. Domestic violence is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse. The batterer uses acts of violence and a series of behaviors, including intimidation, threats and psychological abuse to coerce and control the other person. The penalties for the crime of domestic violence range from 30 days in jail to possible life imprisonment. Women who leave their batterers are at a 75 percent greater risk of being killed by the batterer than those who stay.