Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence affects all types of people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, sexual identity, social status, and religion.
Many people have been hurt by domestic violence. About 25% of women (25 out of 100) and 8% of men (8 out of 100) in the United States have been physically and/or sexually abused by an intimate partner at some point in their adult lives.1 But just because it happens a lot doesn't make it okay.
Here are some things you should know:
- While domestic violence can affect men, most victims are women.6
- Domestic violence can happen to anyone, but being poor increases the chances that it will occur.7 The stress of poverty can increase conflict in a relationship. That conflict sometimes leads to violence.
- Alcohol abuse also increases the risk. In about 45% of domestic violence cases, men had been drinking. In 20% of cases, women had been drinking.7
- The risks can increase when a partner is thinking about leaving the relationship. This might cause the other person to feel as if he or she is losing control. A person is at increased risk of being a victim of stalking, attempted murder, or murder after leaving an abusive relationship.7 But it's important to remember that most women who are able to leave won't have another abusive relationship.
See more things that can put you at risk.
Domestic abuse is also a big problem among the elderly. For more information, see Elder Abuse.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: November 17, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Brigid McCaw, MD, MS, MPH, FACP - Family Violence Prevention | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
from
- Facebook is now fueling organ donations
- Military women and suicide: Home safe but not sound
- Still in gear: Injuries don’t stop veterans on 100-day bike trek
- Ask Jenna: I've hit a weight loss plateau. What do I do?
- He poses in a tutu to laugh in face of wife's cancer
- After chemo hair loss, 'henna crowns' help heal
The iVillage Network