Does domestic and dating abuse really constitute a major problem?
Although it’s hard to imagine, in the United States someone is more at risk of being assaulted, injured, raped, or killed by a partner than a stranger on the street. Domestic and dating violence affect a huge number of people of all walks of life-women, men and children. While it can happen to anyone, women and children are overwhelmingly at risk. About 95% of reported cases of domestic assault involve a male partner battering a female partner. The FBI estimates that 1 in 4 women will be a victim of DV in her lifetime, and 1 in 4 teens will be involved in an abusive relationship between the ages of 12 and 21. Children in homes where there is domestic abuse are more likely to be abused and/or neglected. Most children in these homes know about the violence. Even if a child has not been physically harmed, they may have emotional and behavior problems. Children in violent homes are more likely to end up as abusive teens and adults later in life.
