Facts & Statistics

Domestic violence is a scary reality for millions of individuals every year.
​Here are some facts and statistics to put the frequency of this major problem into perspective. 

Myth vs. Fact

MYTH

It's just a domestic dispute.

FACT

It's actually a deadly crime.
Domestic violence is against the law and often more brutal than stranger-on-stranger assault. Without intervention, the violence will only get worse and continue into the next generation. 
Domestic violence doesn't happen in my neighborhood. 
Domestic violence happens in all communities, at all income and education levels, with victims and perpetrators representing a diverse cross-section of society.  Where someone lives has little to do with what happens behind closed doors.
Only physical violence counts as domestic violence. 
Domestic violence includes several kinds of abuse. 
It can be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, digital, and stalking. ​
It's none of my business. 
Domestic violence takes a toll on the whole community. 
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the health-related costs of intimate partner physical assault, rape, stalking and homicide exceed $5.8 billion annually; and many times, the cost is someone's life.
Domestic violence is love gone wrong.
Love has nothing to do with it. 
Domestic violence is about power and control, not affection.  The violence is most often methodical, calculating, and intended to cause fear and inflict harm.
Alcohol, drug use, poverty, &/or some other external factor cause domestic violence. 
These facts intensify existing domestic violence situations. 
Perpetrators choose to blame their violent behavior on other factors, or even the victim, rather than taking responsibility for their actions.  Furthermore, they may use addiction or economic problems as an excuse to be abusive.
If victims of domestic violence want help, they will ask for it. 
Abusers often isolate their victims. 
They isolate them from their families, friends and other people who try to help.  Fear, manipulation, and intimidation can prevent victims from reaching out.  Additionally, perpetrators frequently punish victims for telling others and seeking help by escalating abuse and controlling behavior.
Domestic violence victims choose to stay in abusive relationships. 
Victims often do not have a choice. 
Abusers systematically terrorize, oppress and dis-empower their partners to the point that they do not believe they are worthy of love, acceptance, respect, trust and independence. Furthermore, circumstances such as mental or physical health conditions, children, lack of access to financial resources, damaged relationships with friends and family, geographic isolation, and conflicting feelings of love and fear prevent victims from leaving.

Statistics

A Woman's Place

In 2019:
  • 540 clients served 
  • 819 crisis calls answered
  • 175 community presentations (including 26 for youth audiences)
  • 123 clients received job-searching support for long-term self-sufficiency
  • 115 clients received legal advocacy for enhanced safety
  • 129 youth clients participated in youth-focused programs

Colorado

In 2014:
  • 32.7% of Colorado women and 28.6% of Colorado men experience intimate partner violence, intimate partner sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. 
  • 16,700 people reported one or more domestic violence crimes to law enforcement
  • Approximately 325,000 Coloradans have experienced stalking
  • 25 Coloradans were murdered by current or former intimate partners
  • 1,018 Coloradans were abducted by current or former intimate partners
  • 78% of domestic violence victim programs provide services to approximately 904 victims per day​​​

* Statistics published by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

United States

  • 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner
  • 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by a current or former intimate partner
  • Women ages 18-24 experience all forms of domestic violence at the highest rate
  • Domestic violence (DV) accounts for 15% of all crime reported to law enforcement
  • 19% of DV incidents involve the use of a weapon
  • DV perpetrators who own a gun are 5 times more likely to kill their partners
  • Only 34% of victims injured by their intimate partner received medical care or treatment
  • 48% of women and 49% of men have experienced psychological abuse by an intimate partner
  • 14-25% of women are sexually assaulted by intimate partners during their relationship
  • 18% of marital rape victims say their children witnessed the crime
  • Domestic violence hotlines across the country receive approximately 20,800 crisis calls a day

* Statistics published by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence