It's domestic violence and it occurs somewhere every 15 seconds. Over two-thirds of female victims of violence in 1993 were related to or knew their attacker, according to the US Department of Justice. Sexual abuse against disabled girls and women is roughly twice as high as for non-disabled girls and women. About one out of every 25 elderly persons is a victim of domestic violence annually. More than 50 percent of child abductions result from domestic violence.
Domestic violence affects women from all religious, ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds.
It encompasses all ages, physical abilities, and lifestyles, including rural and urban living. Domestic violence often begins small with behaviors like threats and name-calling. It advances to punching walls and may even involve abusing pets. It progresses to restraining, pushing, slapping, and kicking victims. Eventually, domestic violence can escalate to choking, broken bones, use of weapons, and death.