Domestic violence (DV) is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community in every society, and culture in the world. DV is no respecter of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. The consequences of DV can cross generations and last a lifetime.
DV effects us because one in four women will experience DV in her lifetime. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. 85% of DV victims are women, females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of intimate partner violence.
DV affects us because children witnessing violence between parents or caregivers is the strongest risk fact for transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next. Children learn by role models. There’s a saying “do as I say, not as I do” but that’s a fallacy in little minds modeling  behavior.  Children are like sponges, they pick up on what you say, as well as what you do.

Have you ever walked upon your children playing? Who are they modeling? What are they saying to their dolls, animals, and playthings?
DV affects us all because it hits our pocket book directly! The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds 5.8 billion each year. $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services.
DV affects health in many ways. The longer the violence goes on the more serious the effects. Many suffer physical injuries of broken bones, internal bleeding, and head trauma. Emotional harm includes: flashbacks, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, trusting in intimate relationship, eating disorder, depression and the like.  There are even recorded numbers of  victims who have  murdered their abusers.

Victims of intimate partner violence lost almost 8 million days of paid work because of the violence perpetrated against them…the lost is the equivalent of more than 32,000 full time jobs. DV affects our economy big time. Source: