Domestic Violence Statistics To Know

Sometimes, the best way to understand topics like domestic violence and sexual violence is to simply look at the numbers. The U.S. domestic violence statistics can be startling to most people, and they might change the way you think about it. The numbers below might be helpful in illustrating how prevalent domestic violence is and its far-reaching impacts on society. For additional resources about intimate partner and sexual violence, consider visiting the National Domestic Violence Hotline website. The Domestic Violence Hotline is a national center that helps victims or potential victims of domestic abuse. While the service is aimed at adults in abusive relationships, it can also direct you to resources to assist children who may be experiencing child abuse. 

Many of the statistics below were collected from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.

Domestic violence statistics

• It's estimated that 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner each minute within the United States
• Approximately 10 million people are abused in a year by an intimate partner within the United States
• Approximately 34% of those who are injured by a domestic partner will seek medical care
• Approximately 15% of all violent crimes can be classified as intimate partner violence
• More than 20,000 phone calls are made to domestic violence hotlines in a typical day
• A gun during a domestic violence situation increases chances of homicide by 500%
• Up to 72% of murder-suicides involve an intimate partner
• Survivors of domestic violence have a higher likelihood of depression and suicidal behavior
• Domestic violence survivors nationwide miss approximately eight million days of work per year
• Domestic violence survivors nationwide lose approximately $8.3 billion per year
• Up to 60% of domestic violence survivors lose their jobs as a side effect of the abuse

Domestic violence stats on women

• 1 in 3 women is a survivor of physical violence from an intimate partner
• 1 in 4 women is a survivor of severe physical violence from an intimate partner
• 1 in 7 women is a survivor of stalking by an intimate partner to the point that they believed they or someone they knew could be injured or killed
• Women 18-24 are most likely to be abused by an intimate partner
• 1 in 5 women within the United States has been raped
• An acquaintance has raped approximately 46.7% of women who have been raped
• An intimate partner raped approximately 45.4% of women raped by an acquaintance
• Approximately 19.3 million women have been stalked
• 8% of women report being stalked by a current or former intimate partner
• Women in domestic violence situations are more likely to contract sexually transmitted infections
• 94% of survivors of murder-suicides involving an intimate partner identify as female
• 4 in 10 women have experienced coercive control from an intimate partner
• 95% of male abusers who use physical abuse will also use psychological abuse
• Approximately 48.4% of women experienced at least one episode of psychologically aggressive behavior from their partner
• Approximately 17.9% of women experienced a domestic partner attempting to keep them from seeing loved ones
• Approximately 18.7% of women experienced threats of some form of physical harm from a domestic partner
• Women earning more than 65% of their household income are more likely to be psychologically abused than those who earn less

Domestic violence stats on men

• 1 in 4 men is a survivor of physical violence from an intimate partner
• 1 in 7 men is a survivor of severe physical violence from an intimate partner
• 1 in 18 men is a survivor of stalking by an intimate partner to the point that they believed they or someone they knew could be injured or killed
• 1 in 71 men in the United States has been raped
• 4 in 10 men have experienced at least one episode or form of coercive control from a domestic partner
• An acquaintance has raped approximately 44.9% of men who have been raped
• An intimate partner raped approximately 29% of men raped by an acquaintance
• Approximately 48.8% of men have experienced at least one episode of psychological aggression from their intimate partner
• Approximately 5.1 million men have been stalked
• 5% of men report being stalked by a current or former intimate partner

What it means to be a survivor

The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence survey demonstrates the reality of domestic violence in the United States. Many have experienced violence at the hands of intimate partners. The survey indicated that 47% of women and 44% of men have experienced some form of physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking within their lifetime. Being a survivor of domestic or intimate partner violence can be life-changing. Every domestic violence survivor is unique in their emotions and feelings, but we do know that survivors are more likely to experience depression and suicidal thoughts or actions. They are more likely to miss work and lose money or jobs due to effects of the abuse. They are also at a higher likelihood of death at the hands of their abuser.

Getting help

Getting help can be a complicated process for anyone experiencing domestic violence. But there is help out there in the form of friends and family, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. Online therapy is one way you can seek out mental health support once you have left a domestic violence situation or when you are trying to decide what to do within such a situation. Engaging in therapy online can be easier for those with physical limitations or without reliable transportation options. For immediate assistance, consider reaching out to organizations like the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help creating a proactive safety plan. 

Speaking online with a mental health professional has, in many cases, shown to be effective. Studies have found that individuals experiencing depression, stress, and anxiety–conditions that domestic violence survivors live with at relatively higher rates–can find effective help for their symptoms by seeking online therapy.

Takeaway

Being privy to notable domestic violence statistics can help illuminate the effects of domestic and intimate partner violence on the U.S. and larger society. Just about every gender is represented among perpetrators of domestic violence, and the same goes for survivors.