According to a new UN report, an estimated 48,800 women and girls were killed by family members or intimate partners worldwide in 2022. This averages to more than 133 women or girls being killed by a relative each day. There are many myths about domestic violence. Some people believe it is caused by stress or substance use or that it only occurs among those with low income. This is not true. The reality is that assailants learn abusive behavior from society or in their homes.

Domestic violence is a choice made by the perpetrator to use power and abuse to control the survivor. Survivors are never to blame for the abuse; it is entirely the responsibility of the perpetrator.

• • In 2022, violent victimization in the U.S. increased to 23.5 per 1,000 people, up from 16.4 to 16.5 per 1,000 in 2020-2021. While there has been a recent increase, the past three decades have seen a significant overall decline in the rate of violent victimization, dropping from 79.8 per 1,000 people in 1993 to 23.5 per 1,000 in 2022. (1)

• • Nearly 1 in 2 U.S. women (47.3%) and more than 2 in 5 U.S. men (44.2%) have experienced intimate partner violence. Nearly three-quarters of female victims of intimate partner violence reported that they were first victimized before the age of 25, and more than one in four experienced their first victimization before the age of 18. (2)  

 If you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking please know that help is available.