What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a crime! It is a pattern of behavior that a person uses to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Domestic violence can include:
- Physical Abuse
- Verbal Abuse
- Isolation
- Sexual Abuse
- Threats of Violence
- Emotional Abuse
- Damage to Property
- Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
- Spiritual Abuse
- Economic/Financial Abuse
- Mental/Psychological Abuse
- Spousal Abuse
Who Are Its Victims?
They are our neighbors, family members, and friends. Domestic violence affects women, men, and children from all cultural, racial, social, economic, religious, and educational backgrounds. It can happen to couples who are married, living together, or dating.
Facts & Figures
- Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury for women ages 15-44 in the United States.
- It is one the most underreported, under-investigated, and under-prosecuted crimes in America.
- A woman is abused every 15 seconds in the country.
- One in four women has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime.
- Nearly one-third of teens ages 13-18 is an abusive dating relationship.
- Over 50% of all female homicides are related to domestic violence.
- Tennessee ranks second in domestic violence and fifth in the number of women murdered by men as a result of domestic violence in the U.S.
- Domestic violence offenses account for 52% of crimes against persons in Tennessee.
- The rate of domestic violence in Memphis is over twice the state average, with nearly 21,000 reported domestic violence crimes.
While 40% of 911 calls involve domestic violence and arrests average about 10 a day, Shelby County has the sixth highest rate of domestic homicide in the country.