Education

St. Jude House Fact Sheet on Domestic Violence

The Prevalence of Domestic Violence

• According to estimates, approximately 1.5 million women are raped and/or physically assaulted by an intimate partner in the United States.
• 60% of female homicide victims were wives or intimate acquaintances of their killers. More than 12 times as many women were murdered by a man they knew than were killed by male strangers.
• One out of every three pregnant women is battered.
• 50% of all women who are murdered in this country are killed by a boyfriend or husband.
• 25% of women in college have been the victim of rape or attempted rape. 84% of these victims were acquainted with their assailant.

The Negative Effects of Domestic Violence Continue

• Children raised in a chaotic, abusive environment are seven times more likely to grow up and repeat the same behavior as adults.
• Violent behavior in a relationship is almost certain to be repeated again and again unless there is intervention.
• The cycle of violence is often generational. Once started, it may be handed down from generation to generation, like a unfortunate family tradition.

Some Frightening Statistics

• According to the CDC, health-related costs of intimate partner violence against women exceeds $5.8 billion each year.
• Between 1993 and 1998 almost two-thirds of intimate partner violence against women, and about half of all intimate partner violence against men, occurring the victim’s home.

Surgeon General Fact Sheet on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

• The U.S. Surgeon General Identified domestic violence as the leasing cause of injury to women between the ages of 25-34.
• 50% of all women who are murdered in this country are killed by a boyfriend or husband.
• 25% of women in college have been the victim of rape or attempted rape. 84% of these victims were acquainted with their assailant.
• One out of every three pregnant women is battered.
• 54% of sexual assaults occur on dates. The majority of victims are ages 16-24.
• A University of New Hampshire survey shows that violence is experienced in 28% of teen relationships.
• Violent behavior in a relationship is almost certain to be repeated again and again unless there is intervention.
• Children raised in a chaotic, abusive environment are seven times more like to grow up and repeat the same behavior as adults.
• The effects of domestic violence reach beyond the family - victims are less able to perform in a school setting, the work place, and in normal adult relationships. Everyone in the community will feel the negative results of families who are living with violence.

Please contact the Director of Community Awareness at 219.662.7066 x17 for more information or to inquire about our informational brochures.