Over 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Most college classes have more than 3 women and more than 4 men in each class. That means, at least 2 people in your class have been a victim of domestic violence, whether that’s physical or emotional. At least 2 people at your place of employment have been a victim of domestic violence.
Although the numbers are lower for men, it is still significant. These victims are real people. Mothers, fathers, children, friends, family- lives are changed forever due to the violence they have experienced that often goes unnoticed. Unnoticed because of the lack of education around the sensitive topic. No matter the severity of the violence, it is still important and should not go unnoticed.
Lower education levels correlate with higher domestic violence rates. We, as a community, need to be educated on domestic violence and help raise the voices of those who have been victims and hold abusers accountable. Victims need support. They need to feel heard. How will you support victims? How will you ensure victims are heard?
References:
Domestic Violence Statistics. (2023b). Retrieved from
https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/
Huecker, M. R. (2023). Domestic violence. Retrieved from