Sunday, October 22, 2006

  • "4 million American women experience a serious assault by a partner during an average 12-month period. 1 On the average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends every day.2 92% of women say that reducing domestic violence and sexual assault should be at the top of any formal efforts taken on behalf of women today.3


  • 1 out of 3 women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.4 1 in 5 female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. Abused girls are significantly more likely to get involved in other risky behaviors. They are 4 to 6 times more likely to get pregnant and 8 to 9 times more likely to have tried to commit suicide.5

  • 1 in 3 teens reports knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, slapped, choked or physically hurt by his/her partner.6 Women of all races are equally vulnerable to violence by an intimate partner.7 37% of all women who sought care in hospital emergency rooms for violence–related injuries were injured by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend.8 Some estimates say almost 1 million incidents of violence occur against a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend per year. 9 For 30% of women who experience abuse, the first incident occurs during pregnancy.10 As many as 324,000 women each year experience intimate partner violence during their pregnancy.11"