Although domestic violence affects the lives of 1 out of 4 women, there’s a lot of misinformation out there about this unfortunately common part of society. We’re here to separate fact from fiction.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence defines domestic violence as “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 abuse.”

Fact: Domestic violence happens to everyone, but it is largely a crime against women. The Feminist Majority Foundation reports that, “Although men are more likely to be victims of violent crime overall, a recent study by the U.S. Department of Justice reports that ‘intimate partner violence is primarily a crime against women.’ Of those victimized by an intimate partner, 85% are women and 15% are men. In other words, women are 5 to 8 times more likely than men to be victimized by an intimate partner.”

Fact: Abuse is not just physical violence. The warning signs of abuse are wide and varied. Advocates to End Domestic Violence note some of the signs that the person you are with may be abusive:

• The person repeatedly lies to you and breaks promises.
• The person withholds affection in order to get power over you.
• The person shows extreme jealousy and tries to keep you from family, friends, or interests.
• The person insults or puts you down.

• The person violates your privacy, going through your possessions without permission.
• The person threatens you.
• The person tries to control you, telling you how to dress, where to go, what to eat, what to do, etc.
• The person attempts to cause you pain or injury.
• The person punches, kicks, shakes, slaps, or restrains you.
• The person attacks you with a weapon or thrown objects.
• The person causes pain or injures you.
• The person forces their attention on you, either verbally or physically.
• The person rapes you.
• The person injures or threatens to injure the family pet.
• The person threatens to injure your children.
• The person injures your children.

As you can see, abuse takes many forms, from verbal abuse, financial control, to physical violence.

Fact: Women with disabilities are disproportionately affected by domestic violence. In fact, studies show that “women with disabilities are 40 percent more likely to experience intimate partner violence—especially severe violence—than woman without disabilities.”

Fact: Young people are at high risk for intimate partner violence.The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that “Rates of domestic violence were highest for persons ages 18 to 24 (11.6 victimizations per 1,000 persons) and lowest for persons age 65 or older (0.6 per 1,000).”

Fact: Domestic violence can kill.Safe Horizon reports that, “Every year, 1 in 3 women who is a victim of homicide is murdered by her current or former partner.”

Fact: The consequences of domestic violence are severe: According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among families. In New York City, 25% of homeless heads of household became homeless due to domestic violence. Survivors of domestic violence face high rates of depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety, flashbacks, and other emotional distress. Domestic violence contributes to poor health for many survivors.  For example, chronic conditions like heart disease or gastrointestinal disorders can become more serious due to domestic violence. Among women brought to emergency rooms due to domestic violence, most were socially isolated and had fewer social and financial resources than other women not injured because of domestic violence.”

Fact: Domestic violence not only affects survivors, but the children of survivors.Studies show that “Without help, girls who witness domestic violence are more vulnerable to abuse as teens and adults. Without help, boys who witness domestic violence are far more likely to become abusers of their partners and/or children as adults, thus continuing the cycle of violence in the next generation.”