Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior that may include physical, sexual, economic, emotional, and/or psychological abuse by an
intimate or family member. It crosses all ethnic, racial, socioeconomic,
and sexual orientation boundaries. Because domestic violence usually takes
place in private, many Americans may not realize how widespread it is.
According to the National Violence Against Women Survey, conducted jointly
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National
Institute of Justice, each year in the United States approximately 1.5
million women are raped and/or physically assaulted by their current or
former husbands, partners, or boyfriends. Many of these women are
victimized more than once over the course of a year.
To find your
local domestic violence program, visit the Wisconsin
Department of Justice, Office of Crime Victim Services website.
Last Revised: June 16, 2008