In California, 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 do constitute the majority of victims. Females are much more likely than males to be killed by their spouse.
Domestic violence affects at least one out of every four American families.
From 1973-1981, the U.S. Department of Justice Statistics reports that 2.2 million women reported abuse by a mate. The woman may internalize her appropriate anger at the man's unfairness, and experience physical effects such as depression, tension, anxiety and headaches. As the tension increases, minor episodes of violence increase, such as pinching, slapping or shoving. The woman may or may not fight back following the battering because she is in a state of physical and psychological shock. The man may discount the episode and underestimate the woman's injuries.