Domestic Violence Statistics – How many are victims?

Domestic violence remains a pressing concern worldwide, affecting countless lives and leaving deep scars. This comprehensive statistical piece by the Bedbible Research Center sheds light on the various facets of domestic violence, from its types to its prevalence in different demographics. Delve into alarming statistics that reveal the magnitude of the issue, such as the fact that 20 individuals per minute experience physical abuse from an intimate partner in the U.S., or that the lifetime economic cost of domestic intimate partner violence in the U.S. stands at a staggering $3.6 trillion.

If you’re interested in getting access to our dataset feel free to reach out here: researchcenter@bedbible.com. We support CSV, Stata, R, and Python. You are more than welcome to use the findings from this article we just require that you source reference us accordingly – even though it’s through third parties.

Key Takeaways

  • 64% of all domestic violence is; Simple Assault and Stranger Violence
  • Over 10 million people worldwide are each year victims of domestic violence.
  • 35.6% of women and 28.5% of men will experience physical violence, rape, and/or stalking by their intimate partner
  • 20 individuals per minute are experiencing physical abuse from an intimate partner in the U.S.
  • More than 20,000 phone calls are made through domestic violence hotlines in the entire country
  • 33% of bisexual men, 25% of gay men, and 30% of hetero men will experience domestic violence by an intimate partner
  • The lifetime economic cost of domestic intimate partner violence in the U.S. accounted for $3.6 trillion
  • Women with disabilities are seen to have a 40% more risk of domestic violence caused by their intimate partners
  • 2% of men and 10% of women were victims of stalking by an intimate partner
  • Signs to identify victims: Physical signs (Bruises on arms), Emotional signs (Fear), Behavioral signs (Frequent Tardiness)
  • Celebrities that have been victims of domestic violence: Tina Turner, Oprah Winfrey, Johnny Depp, Rihanna, Madonna, Shakira

Data & Methodology

To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the statistics presented in this piece, the Bedbible Research Center has employed a rigorous methodology:

  1. Data Collection: Our primary data sources are reputable organizations and agencies that specialize in domestic violence research and statistics. This ensures that the data we present is both current and accurate. We’ve analyzed 11,320 data points for this research.
  2. Data Verification: Before any data is included in our reports, it undergoes a thorough verification process. This involves cross-referencing with multiple sources to confirm its accuracy.
  3. Transparency: We believe in the power of open data. If you’re interested in delving deeper into our dataset, we offer access in various formats including CSV, Stata, R, and Python. For access, you can reach out to us at researchcenter@bedbible.com.
  4. Continuous Updates: The world of data is ever-evolving. As new statistics emerge and old ones are updated, we ensure that our piece reflects the most recent and relevant information.
  5. Ethical Considerations: We recognize the sensitivity of the topic of domestic violence. All data is presented with the utmost respect for the individuals and communities affected, ensuring that it is both informative and respectful.

By adhering to these standards, we aim to provide our readers with a comprehensive and trustworthy overview of domestic violence statistics. We encourage readers to use this data responsibly and to reach out with any questions or clarifications.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is broken down into the following categories:

  • Physical abuse (Pushing, slapping, hitting, etc.)
  • Emotional abuse
  • Isolation
  • Financial Abuse
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Stalking

Table of contents


Statistics on Types of Violent Victimization in the United States

  • Simple Assault (2,988,770 victims)
  • Stranger Violence (1,973,200 victims)
  • Domestic Violence (856,750 victims)
  • Aggravated assault (812,180 victims)
  • Intimate partner violence (484,830 victims)
  • Robbery (437,260)
  • Rape/sexual assault (319,950)
Number of Violent Victimization in the USA (By type of crime)

Statistics of Violent Crimes in the US (Reported to the Police)

  • Aggravated Assault (57%)
  • Robbery (54.3%)
  • Stranger Violence (43.9%)
  • Intimate partner violence (41.4%)
  • Domestic violence (41.1%)
  • Rape/Sexual Assault (40.2%)
  • Simple Assault (40%)
Percentage of violent crimes in the USA reported to the police

Number of Domestic violence (2000 – 2030)

Number of Domestic violence (2000 - 2030)

Some Statistic Domestic Violence in the U.S.

  • 35.6% of women and 28.5% of men in the U.S. will experience physical violence, rape, and/or stalking by their intimate partner in this lifetime
  • 1 in 7 men has been a victim of severe physical abuse by an intimate partner
  • 1 in 4 women have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner
  • 15% of the total violent crimes account for intimate partner violence 
  • 20 individuals per minute are experiencing physical abuse from an intimate partner in the U.S.
  • More than 20,000 phone calls are made through domestic violence hotlines in the entire country
  • 1 in 3 bisexual men, 1 in 4 gay men, and 3 in 10 heterosexual men will experience physical violence, rape, sexual abuse, and stalking by an intimate partner
  • 61% of bisexual women and 44% of lesbian women experience stalking rape and physical violence
  •  3 in 10 heterosexual men experience physical violence, stalking, rape, and sexual violence by an intimate partner
  • 61% of bisexual women and 44% of lesbian women experience stalking physical violence, and rape from someone they have an intimate relationship with
  • 2 in 5 transgender individuals have experienced coercive control or physical violence from their intimate partner.
  • 1 in 15 children are being exposed to intimate partner violence annually (90% of these children have eyewitnessed the violence)
  • Nearly half (47.5%) of Alaska Native/American Indian women, 34.4% of Hispanic women, 45.1% of non-Hispanic Black women,  and 18.3% of Asian-Pacific islander women are victims of physical violence, sexual violence, and stalking of their intimate partners
  • 1 in every 5 female high school students has been reported to be a victim of sexual and physical abuse by their dating partners
  • On average, more than 1 man and 3 women are killed by their intimate partners in the US each day
  • An estimated 63% of homeless women are victims of domestic violence in their adult lives
  • 53% of battered women who were still living with the abuser experienced self-blame because of the violence
  • The lifetime economic cost of domestic intimate partner violence in the U.S. accounted for $3.6 trillion

Types of Domestic Violence

  1. Physical Abuse

Known as one of the most common forms of domestic abuse, physical abuse can vary in degrees of severity. Some of its forms include:

  • Pushing
  • Slapping
  • Grabbing
  • Hitting
  • Shoving
  • Biting
  • Burning

Also included in the forms of physical abuse are:

  • Locking a person/victim out of the house
  • Withholding a person’s physical needs such as food and sleep
  • Withholding assistance when the victim is injured or sick
  • Refusing to give necessities, such as medicines
  1. Emotional Abuse
  2. Isolation
  3. Financial Abuse
  4. Sexual Abuse
  5. Stalking

Types of Behavior That Can Be Included in Intimate Partner Violence

  • Physical violence (this happens when a person hurts or attempts to hurt his/her partner by using physical force such as kicking and hitting)
  • Sexual violence (characterized by forcing or trying to force a partner to take part in a sexual act, sexual touching, or a non-physical sexual event against their will)
  • Stalking ( this includes a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a partner that leads to fear or concern for one’s own safety or the safety of a person close to the victim)
  • Psychological aggression ( this involves the use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intention of harming another partner emotionally or mentally and/or to exert control over another partner)

Domestic violence affects millions of individuals in the United States annually. This is shown in the following statistics:

  • 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men are reported to have experienced severe physical violence from their intimate partner
  • 2% of men and 10% of women were victims of stalking by an intimate partner
  • It is estimated that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 12 men were victims of contact sexual violence caused by their intimate partners
  • More than 43 million women and 38 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Famous Celebrities Who Have Been a Victim of Domestic Violence

  • Amy Schumer
  • Tina Turner
  • Reese Witherspoon
  • Halle Berry
  • Robin Givens
  • Oprah Winfrey
  • Johnny Depp
  • Mariah Carey
  • Rihanna
  • Russell Wilson
  • Kelly Rowland
  • Lil’ Mo
  • Hayden Panettiere
  • Melissa Benoist
  • Charlize Theron
  • Drew Barrymore
  • Madonna
  • Shakira
  • Pamela Anderson
  • Christina Aguilera
  • Kate Moss
  • Gabrielle Union
  • Teri Hatcher
  • Queen Latifah

Signs to Identify An Abuse Victim

Physical Signs
– Busted lips
– Black eyes
– Bruises on arms and other parts of the body
– Purple or red marks on the neck
– Sprained wrists

Emotional Signs
– Fear
– Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
– Low self-esteem
– Being meek or over apologetic
– Substance abuse
– Being anxious
– signs of depression
– Talking about suicide (suicidal thoughts)
– Lack of interest in activities or hobbies that he/she once enjoyed

Behavioral Signs
– Frequent tardiness
– Becoming distant or withdrawn
– Canceling meetings or appointments at the last minute
– Isolation from family, friends, and loved ones
– Being secretive with their personal lives

Ways to Help Victims of Domestic Violence

– Listen. Start a conversation to express your concern.
– Offer support,
– Provide encouragement and community resources.
– Have a safety plan.
– Respect the victim’s choices.

Domestic violence, also known as “domestic abuse” or” intimate partner violence”, is defined as a pattern of behavior inside a relationship to gain control or power over someone or an intimate partner. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or psychological. Behaviors that are involved in domestic abuse often can manipulate, frighten, threaten, intimidate, terrorize, blame, injure, or kill a person. This is a serious matter that needs proper attention nowadays.

Exploring Intimacy: A Guide to Enhancing Your Relationship

While understanding the complexities and challenges of relationships is crucial, it’s also essential to explore ways to strengthen and enhance intimacy between partners. Bedbible offers a plethora of resources and guides to help couples navigate their intimate lives. Whether you’re looking to rekindle the spark or venture into new territories, here are some recommended reads:

Remember, open communication with your partner is key. Explore, understand, and enjoy the journey of intimacy together.