Last updated: August 29, 2024
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Report highlights. In the United States, nearly every 1 in 2 women and more than 2 in 5 men reported experiencing intimate partner violence at some point in their lifetime.
Here are some critical facts:
Nearly every 1 in 2 women in the United States is going to face physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives.[1]More than 16 million people in the U.S. suffer from intimate partner abuse per year.[2]Every minute 32 people experience intimate partner violence in the United States.[3]1 in 4 men in the United States has endured severe physical violence from an intimate partner.[4]Over 47% of women have encountered contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.[5]
How Many Women Experience Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence continues to profoundly affect the lives of countless women across the United States, remaining a persistent and critical issue.
According to a series of reports from the 2016/2017 data years of the National Intimate Partner Violence Survey (NISVS):
Nearly every 1 in 2 women in the United States will face physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives.[6]Almost 1 in 5 women in the United States reported any contact sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.[7]Slightly more than 2 in 5 women in the United States reported experiencing any physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.[8]Almost 40 million women reported being slapped, pushed, or shoved.[9]Almost half of all women reported any psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.[10]
How Common Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is alarmingly common in the United States, affecting millions of individuals each year. NISVS reports:
More than 16 million people in the U.S. suffer from intimate partner abuse per year.[11]Every minute 32 people experience intimate partner violence in the United States.[12]Nearly every 1 in 2 women and more than 2 in 5 men reported experiencing intimate partner violence at some point in their lifetime.[13]
What Percentage of Domestic Violence Victims Are Female?
Data leaves no doubt: Domestic violence predominantly impacts women. According to a report published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in 2009:
85% of domestic violence victims are women.[14]
How Many Women Die From Domestic Violence?
Around 75% of fatal victims of domestic violence are women.[15]In 2007, 24% of female homicide victims were killed by a spouse or ex-spouse.[16]By 2019, nearly 4 women were murdered daily by intimate partners.[17]
Domestic Violence Rates Over Time
Domestic violence statistics over the years paint a grim picture, revealing the persistent and escalating nature of the issue:
In 2000, a U.S. Department of Justice report indicated that 1.3% of women and 0.9% of men experienced domestic violence in the past year.[18]By 2019, nearly 4 women were murdered daily by intimate partners, reflecting an increase since 2014 after decades of decline.[19]Each year, about 2.3 million people are raped or physically assaulted by a current or former partner.[20]Victimization rates vary by race, with White and Black women more frequently victims of beatings than Asian or Hispanic women.[21]
Domestic Violence Statistics From the CDC
Nearly every 1 in 2 women in the United States will face physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives.[22]Almost 1 in 5 women in the United States reported any contact sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.[23]Slightly more than 2 in 5 women in the United States reported experiencing any physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.[24]Almost 40 million women reported being slapped, pushed, or shoved.[25]Almost half of all women reported any psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.[26]More than 16 million people in the U.S. suffer from intimate partner abuse per year.[27]Every minute, 32 people experience intimate partner violence in the United States (based on annualized report results).[28]1 in 4 men in the United States has endured severe physical violence from an intimate partner.[29]Over 47% of women have encountered contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.[30]
Sources
1. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
2. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
3. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
4. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
5. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
6. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
7. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
8. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
9. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
10. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
11. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
12. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
13. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
14. Catalano, S., Smith, E., Snyder, H., & Rand, M. (2009). Female victims of violence (NCJ 228356). Bureau of Justice Statistics.
https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/fvv.pdf
15. Catalano, S., Smith, E., Snyder, H., & Rand, M. (2009). Female victims of violence (NCJ 228356). Bureau of Justice Statistics.
https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pd
16. Catalano, S., Smith, E., Snyder, H., & Rand, M. (2009). Female victims of violence (NCJ 228356). Bureau of Justice Statistics.
https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pd
17. Fridel, E. E., & Fox, J. A. (2019). Gender differences in patterns and trends in US homicide, 1976–2017. Violence and Gender, 6(1), 27–36.
https://doi.org/10.1089/vio.2019.0005
18. Tjaden, P. G. (2000). Full report of the prevalence, incidence, and consequences of violence against women: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.
https://books.google.com/books/download/Full_Report_of_the_Prevalence_Incidence.pdf?id=1ErTLeIq8ccC&output=pdf
19. Tjaden, P. G. (2000). Full report of the prevalence, incidence, and consequences of violence against women: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.
https://books.google.com/books/download/Full_Report_of_the_Prevalence_Incidence.pdf?id=1ErTLeIq8ccC&output=pdf
20. The Violence Against Women Act of 2005, Summary of Provisions. 42 U.S.C. §§ 13925–14045d. (2005).
https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/3402
21. Stockman, J. K., Hayashi, H., & Campbell, J. C. (2015). Intimate partner violence and its health impact on ethnic minority women [Corrected]. Journal of Women’s Health (Larchmt), 24(1), 62–79.
https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2014.4879
22. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
23. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
24. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
25. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
26. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
27. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
28. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
29. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
30. Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Kresnow, M., Smith, S. G., Caslin, S., & Basile, K. C. (2022). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
Recently also peace research has focused on the consequences of domestic violence for a whole country: Austrian sociologist Franz Jedlicka has included it in his “Culture of Violence Scale 2023”. An interesting approach!