Does domestic abuse affect mostly low-income people or people of a specific ethnic/ racial group?
Domestic abuse does not discriminate. This problem is of epidemic proportions, affecting people of all walks of life regardless of age, race, religion, ethnic background, educational level, employment or marital status and sexual orientation. It can happen to the poor, the rich and everyone in between. Nevertheless, someone who has fewer resources may need to go to welfare, or stay in a shelter. They may also be living in closer proximity to one another-i.e. in apartment buildings versus living in a “gated” community-and thus, neighbors may be calling the police. Thus, poor people may be “showing up” in the system. Middle class and upper class people may have more options available to them, such as staying with a friend that can afford to have them stay, staying in a hotel for a few nights, etc. so they are less likely to seek assistance from public agencies or emergency shelters.
