Facts about domestic violence:
* Acts of violence occur every 18 seconds in this country. A woman is abused every 9 seconds.
* 26% of murdered women are killed by their husbands or boyfriends
* 30% of women in emergency rooms are there because of injuries caused by abuse
* 25% of men will use violence against a partner at sometime during the relationship every 5 years.
* 30% of all murders in this country are committed within the family and 13% are committed by spouses.
* Children are present during 80% of the assaults against their mothers and 3 million children witness domestic violence each year.
* Many cases of domestic violence are not reported because of feelings of helplessness, fear and shame.
* Domestic Violence transcends racial, age and socioeconomic boundaries. Its victims are educated, uneducated, poor, middle class, and wealthy. They are Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American and are of every ethnic origin.
* Children who witness violence in the home learn that violence is the answer and these children are 1000 times more likely to abuse as adults.
* The death toll of persons killed by relatives and acquaintances equals that of the entire Vietnam War.
