War Cry - September, 2014 Page 14

The War Cry | SEPTEMBER 2014

Domestic Violence is a pervasive problem

in the United States.

Each year, approximately

960,000 domestic violence incidents take place between
Americans, according to a 2013 report from the U.S.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics.
About 85 percent of the victims are women; 15 percent
are men. More than six million children witness violence

taking place between their parents and other adults
in their homes every year.

Yet despite the prevalence of domestic violence,

only 25 percent of the incidents in 2013 were reported
to the police, the study shows. When such crimes go
unreported, the violence can continue for years or
until people are killed. On average, the study reveals,
three women and one man will be murdered in the
United States every day by their spouses, boyfriends
or girlfriends. About 75 percent of the time, victims
are murdered either while they're in the process of
trying to leave their abusive partners or after leaving,
according to the Domestic Abuse Shelter of the Florida
Keys, which also says that abused women make an
average of seven attempts to leave their abusive
partners before they finally are able to do so.

While it seems obvious to people who want to

help domestic violence victims that leaving abusive
relationships is a good idea, those who are caught
in the dangerous web of such violence often choose
to stay. Why? The reasons are complex...

WHITNEY HOPLER

Americans, according
Department of Justice
About 85 percent of t

are men. More than s

Domestic

Violence:

he pain and power struggles between

men and women in unhealthy romantic

relationships can surface in a variety of

violent ways: harsh words or manipula-

tive behavior that assault victims' minds, physical

attacks such as slaps or squeezes that hurt but

don't cause serious injuries and more aggressive

violence such as kicks, punches and attacks with

weapons that result in bruises, broken bones or

even death. Sometimes the violence includes

sexual abuse, such as assault and rape.

Photo Warren Goldswain

iStock Photo

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