Perpetrators use or threaten the use of physical or sexual assault to dominate, hurt, degrade and gain control over the victim. Public awareness concerning domestic violence has increased due to studies that prove violent behavior can be passed on from parents to children and with the recognition that legal, psychological, and emotional assistance for victims is inadequate. More recently, national attention has focused on the plight of victims who fight back against perpetrators of domestic violence. Despite the increased public awareness, however, domestic violence continues to be widespread.
Women are frequent victims of violence.
2-4 million women are abused each year by their spouses. Due to under reporting, the actual number of attacks on women is thought to be considerably larger. Pregnant women are three times as likely as nonpregnant women to be victims of abuse, and severe beatings can endanger both mother and fetus.