• Men also experience domestic abuse, accounting for around 15% of cases each year.
• Women of all races are about equally vulnerable to violence by an intimate partner.
• Intimate partner violence affects people regardless of income. However, people with lower annual income (below $25K) are at a 3-times higher risk of intimate partner violence than people with higher annual income (over $50K).
• Nearly three out of four (74%) Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.
• On average, more than three women and one man are murdered by their intimate partners in this country every day.
• The health-related costs of intimate partner violence exceed $5.8 billion each year. Of that amount, nearly $4.1 billion are for direct medical and mental health care services, and nearly $1.8 billion are for the indirect costs of lost productivity or wages.
• Studies suggest that between 3.3 - 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
• Three in four women (76%) who reported they had been raped and/or physically assaulted since age 18 said that an intimate partner (current or former husband, cohabiting partner, or date) committed the assault.
• One in five (21%) women reported she had been raped or physically or sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
(Domestic Violence Resource Center)
(Domesticviolencestatistics.org)
Abusive behavior begins at a young age and, when not corrected, can progress into a lifetime of dating and partner violence. Dating violence is defined as one partner trying to maintain power and control over the other through abuse. We often think of abuse as physical, but it also often includes mental and emotional abuse, coercion, isolation, stalking and threats.
 It occurs between partners of all races, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. And in our society, this learned behavior begins as early as pre-school or before, is not corrected or even unintentionally encouraged, and escalates as time progresses. Statistics show that 1 in 3 teens has experienced violence in a dating relationship; that forty percent of teen girls ages 14-17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend; that the large majority of teens who are raped know their rapist as either their boyfriend/girlfriend, friend or casual acquaintance; and that more than 4 out of 10 domestic violence incidents occur among non-married people.
Dating violence does not only occur between heterosexual couples either. Studies show that teens identifying themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender experience dating violence at the same rates as their heterosexual counterparts.
Some common signs that someone you know is involved in an abusive relationship include:
• Physical signs of injury
• Indecision
• Changes in mood or personality
• Use of drugs and/or alcohol
• Pregnancy
• Emotional outbursts
• Isolation from friends/family
What to Do
It can be very difficult and painful to witness a friend or loved one who is involved in an abusive relationship. It takes time and patience to assist that person, though intervention is extremely important to ensure their safety. It is common for abusive partners to attempt to isolate the victim from his or her support network, so it’s very important to let your friend/loved one know that you will be there for them no matter how long it has been since you have spoken.
Other ways to be helpful:
• Be there and listen.
• Help your friend/loved one recognize the abuse.
• Tell your friend/loved one that she/he is not alone.
• Tell your friend/loved one that she/he does not deserve to be abused.
• Be non-judgmental.
• Help your friend/loved one understand the abuse is not their fault
• Help your friend/loved one develop a safety plan
• If your friend/loved one decides to leave/break-up with the abuser, continue the support.
• Help your friend/loved one contact resources for help.
Local Resources
If you or a friend/loved one are involved in an abusive relationship and you need help, here are some excellent local resources:
• Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia (www.ppsev.org)
• Transitions Family Violence Services (http://www.transitionsfvs.org/)
• Samaritan House (http://www.samaritanhouseva.org/)
• HER Shelter (http://www.hershelter.com)
• YWCA South Hampton Roads (www.ywca.org)
• Ubasti (http://ubasti.bbnow.org/)
To learn more about our quest or how you can help, contact us at 499-PLAN or e-mail us at marketing@ppsev.org!
To learn more about Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia, visit www.ppsev.org or call us at 499-PLAN (7536).
Erin Zabel is the director of marketing and public relations for PPSEV. She can be reached at 309-4834 or marketing@ppsev.org. | 
