Domestic violence affects everyone.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH), “Domestic violence (also referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.” NDVH also states that one in three women in the U.S. will experience rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner. Women ages 18-24 generally experience the highest rates of domestic violence.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) reports that one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner; one in seven have been severely abused. The American Psychological Association observes that there is severe underreporting from male victims because of the stigma associated with males being victims.

According to NCADV, more than 40% of black women have experienced intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. Forty four percent of lesbian women, 61% of bisexual women, 26% of gay men and 37.3% of bisexual men have survived domestic violence. Transgendered victims are more likely to experience intimate partner violence in public.

NCADV asserts, “Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence. There is NO “typical victim.” Victims of domestic violence come from all walks of life, varying age groups, all backgrounds, all communities, all education levels, all economic levels, all cultures, all ethnicities, all religions, all abilities and all lifestyles.”

Forms of domestic violence include battery, isolation, emotional abuse, financial abuse and threat of control of children.

As NCADV observes, domestic violence affects every aspect of a survivor’s life. It is estimated that more than 8,000,000 paid workdays are missed due to domestic violence every year. And the cost of domestic violence was estimated to exceed $8 million per year. This does not include the calculated loss of life and human worth.

Remember, rights and resources for survivors of domestic violence are available on our website.

Questions concerning Domestic Violence Awareness Month may be directed to Nikki Baker, compliance and prevention coordinator at nikki.baker@llcc.edu or 217-786-3426.