Although domestic violence has decreased by 63 percent in the past 18 years, that number doesn’t match the decline of the overall rate of violence at 67 percent, according to a report by the US Bureau of Justice Statistics.
The CDC report measures rates of all forms of domestic violence, including intimate partner violence, abuse perpetrated by a parent or other caregiver, and abuse by a sibling.
Domestic Violence by Gender
Intimate partner violence is still the most common of all forms of violence, at 20 percent. US News and World Report states that:
“More than 1 in 3 women will be victims of intimate partner violence in their lifetimes, while more than 1 in 4 men will be.”
Although women are still more likely than men to be victims of an intimate partner, boys are more likely than girls to be abused by a family member or sibling.
Intimate partner violence reported to police also fell from 63 to 55 percent.
Rates of Domestic Violence By Offender Relationship
Domestic violence as a whole has fallen over the CDC’s reporting period of 1994-2012, but intimate partner violence is still the most common form.
If you or someone you love is or has been a victim of domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).
