Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence can happen to anyone—rich or poor, young or old, gay or straight.
Some facts about domestic violence:
- 10 million people a year are abused by an intimate partner.
- 458 gun deaths related to domestic violence so far this year.
- 1 in 3 female murder victims and 1 in 20 male murder victims are killed by intimate partners.
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence.
Victims should have a safety plan that includes staying safe in the relationship, during the process of leaving the relationship, and after leaving. The plan should also include details about what to do for those with children and pets.
For more information or help call:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233
- Safe Link in Massachusetts 1-800-785-2020 TTY 1-877-521-2601
- https://www.thehotline.org/ (since computers can be monitored, there is an escape button or X on the site that when clicked on will redirect to Google.)
