Knowledge Can Be Power

While these statistics can be shocking and overwhelming, the first step to preventing domestic violence is truly communicating with our community the depth of the domestic violence problem. 

Victims typically suffer through months or years of abuse due in part to shame in admitting what is happening to them. By communicating these statistics with our community and community leaders, we hope to help victims realize they are not alone, there is no need to feel shame, and we are here to help. 

By partnering with us, we can prevent these terrible events from happening but we need your help. Donate today and help Beacon of Hope Crisis Center lower these statistics one step at a time.

Are you a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault? Call us (317)731-6140

If you are in a life threatening situation, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Domestic Violence Statistics

• Every minute, nearly 20 people are physically abused by their partner. In one year alone, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.
  
• Domestic violence can cause disability. It is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States.
• 96% of DV victims who are employed, experience problems at work due to the abuse.
• Immigrant women suffer higher rates of domestic violence than U.S. citizens because they come from cultures that accept domestic violence as normal.
• In Indiana, 72% of all murder-suicide involved an intimate partner and 96% of the victims are female.
• When a gun is involved, risk of homicide increases to 500%
  • Nationally, 19% of DV involves a weapon.
    
  • 35% of all women are killed with a weapon by an intimate partner (male).
• Abusers often target pets to exert control over their partner. They may kill, threaten to harm or will harm pets to exert dominance and power over their victims and to show the victim what could happen to them as well.
• Approximately 4 million older Americans are victims of physical, psychological, financial, emotional, etc. abuse.
• Approximately 70% of people with disabilities experience some form of abuse and are three times more likely to be sexually assaulted.

Domestic Violence & Strangulation

• A woman who has suffered a nonfatal strangulation incident with her intimate partner is 750% more likely to be killed by the same perpetrator… with a gun.
  
• Researchers and law enforcement professionals have determined that nonfatal strangulation is a leading indicator of escalating violence in the relationship and an important risk factor for homicide.
• Non-fatal strangulation has been reported in nearly 45% of attempted homicidal Domestic Violence situations against women.
• 97% of victims are strangled manually (with hands)
• When victims are strangled, 38% lose consciousness.
  • Loss of consciousness can occur within 5-10 seconds and death within minutes.

Statistics - Male Victims

• 1 in 7 men age 18+ in the U.S. has been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in his lifetime.
  
• 1 in 10 men has experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner.
  
• Men may have difficulty accepting what happened as abuse or sexual assault.
  • There are myths that enforce the idea that men cannot be victims, or they are physically stronger so they should be able to fight off an assailant.
• Fear they will not be believed.
  • It has also been stated that a man who calls the police to report domestic violence is three times more likely to be arrested than the woman, if in a heterosexual relationship.