Get Informed
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional or psychological abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence varies dramatically.
*by way of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The Prevalence of Domestic Violence
- 1 in 4 women have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner, while 1 in 7 men has experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.
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Among women and men who experience rape, stalking or physical violence by an intimate partner, 81% of women and 35% of men report serious impacts such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and injury.
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A woman is far more likely to be killed by her spouse, an intimate acquaintance, or a family member than by a stranger.
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Domestic violence is a social problem. It is rooted in social values that place importance on people having power over others, and allow violence against women and other groups to occur with minimal and/or inconsistent punishment.
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Domestic violence is not caused by drugs or alcohol, mental illness, being “provoked,” stress, or poor anger management. Abuse is a purposeful and deliberate behavior aiming at gaining power and control over another person.
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Victims seeking help with abuse face many barriers, including fear of injury, shame and self-blame, lack of money, resources and support, social pressures to keep their family together and other cultural taboos.
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Racism, homophobia, ageism and discrimination based on physical ability, nationality or other factors help to perpetuate domestic violence and make finding safety even more difficult for some victims.
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Domestic violence can have many negative impacts on victims such as lowered self- confidence, physical illness and disability, difficulty trusting self/others, and poverty. Despite these impacts, victims find many creative and courageous ways to survive and protect themselves and their children.
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Source: National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, www.nrvdv.org
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Given these statistics, it is likely that you know someone who has been abused. They may be your friends and family members, your neighbors or co-workers. Domestic violence takes its toll on our communities as well, contributing to other forms of violence and suffering, burdening us with huge medical and criminal justice costs, and decreasing workplace productivity.
What can you do to help?
- Educate yourself. Learn the facts about domestic violence and abuse. It is a complex problem with no easy answers.
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Listen and believe when someone tells you they are being victimized. Offer your support and information on resources for help and safety.
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Be a strong voice and speak out against domestic violence in your community.
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Know your local domestic violence hotline: Camden County, NJ 856-227-1234 or National Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE
On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. Over the course of a year, that equals more than 12 million women and men.
While domestic violence can happen in any relationship – regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or other factors – the vast majority of victims who report violence are women abused by male partners or ex-partners.
Help is available. You are not alone.
There is still more work to do.....
2015 National Census of Domestic Violence Services.
The following figures represent the information provided by 1,752 participating programs about services provided during the 24-hour survey period.
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40,302 domestic violence victims found refuge in emergency shelters or transitional housing provided by local domestic violence programs.
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31,526 adults and children received non-residential assistance and services, including counseling, legal advocacy, and children’s support groups.
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21,332 hotline calls answered
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27,708 individuals educated on domestic violence,
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12,197 Unmet Requests for Services in One Day, of Which 63% (7,728) Were for Housing
Victims made more than 12,000 requests for services— including emergency shelter, housing, transportation, childcare, legal representation, and more—that could not be provided because programs did not have the resources to provide these services. In addition to housing and emergency shelter, programs reported that the service requests they could not meet were housing advocacy, legal representation, and financial assistance.
71,828 Victims Served in One Day