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Violence Against Women

General Information on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

• Domestic violence is the most repeated, least reported crime in the nation. It is the single most serious cause of injury to women.

• A woman is beaten every 15 seconds in this country. One million of them report to hospital emergency rooms. Over 4,000 die every year from the beatings or stabbings, or gun shot wounds.

• Violence, which may start in the dating relationship, escalates over time. It occurs more frequently, and it gets increasingly dangerous.

• More than 50% of men who abuse their wives also abuse their children. Child abuse or serious occurs at a 1500% higher rate in families experiencing domestic violence. And, domestic violence is harmful to the emotional well-being of children.

• Rape is not sex. It is violence that mimics sex.

• A woman is raped every 41 seconds in this country. It is estimated that two in four women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes; one in four will be raped.

• Rape can have devastating long-term effects on victims and serious negative impact on victims' families, friends, and co-workers.

• Any unwanted sexual activity is sexual assault. NO MEANS NO.

• Rape and domestic violence are crimes -- no less serious than other violent crimes even though victim and offender are known to each other.

• Neither battering nor rape is ever the victim's fault.