Domestic Abuse Awareness
Welcome to our Domestic Abuse Awareness page, a resource dedicated to educating and raising awareness about domestic abuse across the United States. Domestic abuse, also known as domestic violence or intimate partner violence, is also referred to as coercive control. It affects millions of individuals and families nationwide. This page serves as a resource providing information about domestic abuse, its definition, and crucial statistics on a national scale. Our mission is to bring awareness to this silent epidemic and provide resources.
Domestic abuse /Coercive control is a pressing issue affecting millions of people across the United States. By understanding its definition and the national statistics surrounding it, we can work together to break the cycle of abuse and provide much-needed support to survivors. Peer support services play a vital role in this journey, offering support and healing to those who have endured domestic abuse. Together, we can create a safer and compassionate community.
Domestic Abuse Hotline 800-799-7233
What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse refers to a pattern of behaviors where one person uses power and control to manipulate and harm another within an intimate relationship. It encompasses various forms, including physical violence, emotional abuse, financial coercion, and more. Domestic abuse is a pervasive issue, transcending demographics and affecting people from all walks of life.
Impact on Children
1 in 15
Children are Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence
Witnessing domestic abuse as a child can lead to lasting trauma and emotional scars. Researchers have estimated that between 3.3 million and 10 million children are exposed to adult domestic violence each year. One researcher has estimated conservatively that at least 10 to 20 percent of children are exposed to intimate partner violence annually, with as many as one-third exposed at some point during childhood or adolescence.
Read More Information on Children and Youth Exposure to Domestic Violence
Healthcare Consequences
Victims of domestic abuse often experience physical injuries and long-term health issues. The economic burden of domestic violence-related healthcare costs in the U.S. is substantial.
Legal Support
The United States has laws and resources in place to protect domestic abuse survivors, including restraining orders, support services, and legal aid.
Underreporting
Many cases of domestic abuse remain unreported due to fear, stigma, or a lack of awareness about available support.
Identify Abuse
Understanding how abuse occurs and intersects can help you safely respond to situations. Below are some ways to identify the different types of abuse.
To view more in detail visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Physical Abuse
More than 10 million Americans are victims of physical violence annually. 20 people are victims of physical violence every
minute in the United States.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse (terms often used interchangeably) involves trauma to the victim caused by verbal abuse, acts, threats of acts, or coercive tactics.
Sexual Abuse
Nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men experienced sexual violence victimization other than rape at some point in their lives.
Financial Abuse
Economic abuse involves maintaining control over financial resources, withholding access to money, or attempting to prevent a victim/survivor from working and/or attending school in an effort to create financial dependence as a means of control.
Spiritual Abuse
Most examples of spiritual abuse refer to a church elder or faith leader inflicting abuse on congregation members, often by creating a toxic culture within the church or group by shaming or controlling members using the power of their position.
Digital Abuse
Digital abuse is the use of technology and the Internet to bully, harass, stalk, intimidate, or control a partner. This behavior is often a form of verbal or emotional abuse conducted online.
Stalking
19.3 million women and 5.1 million men in the United States have been stalked in their lifetime 60.8% of female stalking victims and 43.5% of men reported being stalked by a current or former intimate partner.