Key Highlights
- Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men in the United States have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime
- About 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime
- Nearly 37% of women and 30% of men who experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner were fearful of their partner
- Females aged 18-24 years experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence, with about 26.8 victimizations per 1,000 women
- Adult women that experience intimate partner violence are more likely to have poor mental health, including depression and anxiety
- Around 3.6 million women and 1.9 million men in the United States have been stalked by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- Approximately 24% of women who experience intimate partner violence lose a job or change jobs due to violence
- Intimate partner violence can increase the risk of injury, brain damage, and even death, with about 1,300 women murdered annually in the U.S. due to IPV
- Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to experience emotional and behavioral problems and to become victims or perpetrators of violence themselves
- Nearly 80% of women who are victims of intimate partner violence are murdered by an intimate partner
- Men who experience intimate partner violence are more likely to experience depression and substance abuse
- A significant portion of IPV victims do not seek help due to fear or concerns about safety, stigma, or lack of resources
- In 2019, approximately 1.7 million women and 800,000 men experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the past year
One in four women and one in ten men in the United States have endured the devastating realities of intimate partner violence, highlighting a urgent public health crisis that demands comprehensive awareness and action.
Barriers to Help and Intervention
- A significant portion of IPV victims do not seek help due to fear or concerns about safety, stigma, or lack of resources
- About 4 out of 5 incidents of IPV go unreported, which makes it difficult to understand the full scope of the problem
- Economic dependence is a common barrier preventing victims from leaving abusive relationships, with nearly 99% of victims citing financial reasons as a challenge
- Many victims face additional barriers such as immigration status, language barriers, or lack of legal resources when seeking help, complicating efforts to reduce IPV
Barriers to Help and Intervention Interpretation
Despite the staggering underreporting—with about 80% of incidents remaining hidden—economic dependence and systemic barriers continue to silence victims, transforming the fight against intimate partner violence into a complex struggle for visibility and justice.
Children and Family Contexts
- Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to experience emotional and behavioral problems and to become victims or perpetrators of violence themselves
- Children living in homes with IPV are more likely to experience developmental delays and academic difficulties, affecting their long-term health outcomes
- Men who commit IPV are often victims of violence themselves in childhood or adulthood, suggesting a cyclical pattern of violence
- The presence of children in the home worsens the emotional toll of IPV on victims and complicates safety planning, according to CDC findings
Children and Family Contexts Interpretation
The CDC's findings underscore that witnessing or experiencing intimate partner violence not only endangers children's immediate well-being but also perpetuates a troubling cycle of violence and long-term developmental harm—highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies that break this pervasive cycle.
Impact on Victims and Repercussions
- Adult women that experience intimate partner violence are more likely to have poor mental health, including depression and anxiety
- Approximately 24% of women who experience intimate partner violence lose a job or change jobs due to violence
- Intimate partner violence can increase the risk of injury, brain damage, and even death, with about 1,300 women murdered annually in the U.S. due to IPV
- Men who experience intimate partner violence are more likely to experience depression and substance abuse
- Women who are victims of IPV are at increased risk for chronic health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes
- Nearly 60% of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner, illustrating the deadly potential of IPV
- Approximately 38% of women experiencing intimate partner violence report injuries such as bruises, fractures, or other physical trauma
- Most victims of IPV experience multiple forms of abuse—physical, emotional, sexual, and economic—simultaneously, making intervention complex
- IPV can lead to adverse reproductive health outcomes, including unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections
- Alcohol and drug use by either partner increases the risk for IPV, with substance abuse being a contributing factor in many cases
- The economic burden of IPV in the U.S. is estimated to be over $5.8 billion annually in medical costs, productivity losses, and legal expenses
- Nearly 1 in 4 women experiencing IPV report that they fear for their safety all or most of the time, reflecting the constant threat and danger faced by victims
- The use of technology, such as stalking through digital devices, is an increasing element of IPV, creating new safety challenges for victims
Impact on Victims and Repercussions Interpretation
Intimate partner violence, a perilous epidemic claiming lives and livelihoods alike, underscores that behind the statistics lie women and men trapped in a web of physical, emotional, and economic trauma—reminding us that safety, health, and justice are non-negotiable rights, not optional luxuries.
Impact on Victims and_Repercussions
- Nearly 37% of women and 30% of men who experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner were fearful of their partner
- Older women (65+) are less likely to experience IPV, but when they do, the consequences are often more severe due to age-related vulnerabilities
- Nearly 30% of women who experience IPV report that it started during pregnancy, putting both mother and child at risk
Impact on Victims and_Repercussions Interpretation
These sobering statistics underscore that intimate partner violence is a pervasive and multifaceted crisis—spanning fears rooted in danger, amplified vulnerabilities with age, and even beginning during the vulnerable months of pregnancy—demanding urgent, nuanced action from society.
Prevalence and Demographics of Intimate Partner Violence
- Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men in the United States have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime
- About 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime
- Females aged 18-24 years experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence, with about 26.8 victimizations per 1,000 women
- Around 3.6 million women and 1.9 million men in the United States have been stalked by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- Nearly 80% of women who are victims of intimate partner violence are murdered by an intimate partner
- In 2019, approximately 1.7 million women and 800,000 men experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the past year
- Among victims of IPV, Black women experience higher rates of violence compared to women of other races
- Nearly 25% of women murdered in the U.S. are killed by a current or former intimate partner, highlighting the severity of IPV-related homicides
- Approximately 12 million women and men experience IPV each year in the U.S., demonstrating the widespread nature of the problem
- The CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey is an ongoing survey that provides detailed data on IPV prevalence, characteristics, and health effects
- The majority of IPV-related homicides occur in private settings, such as the victim’s home, making law enforcement response challenging
- Intimate partner violence disproportionately affects women aged 18-44, who make up nearly 80% of all victims, indicating a need for targeted prevention efforts
Prevalence and Demographics of Intimate Partner Violence Interpretation
Despite being a hidden epidemic that devastates millions annually—particularly women aged 18-44—the pervasive reality of intimate partner violence remains a stark reminder that safety and respect are fundamental rights, not privileges.
Prevention, Response, and Legal Aspects
- Safety planning and community intervention programs significantly reduce the incidence of IPV and improve victim safety, according to CDC evaluations
- Effective screening and intervention in healthcare settings can identify IPV victims and provide them with necessary resources and support, decreasing further violence
Prevention, Response, and Legal Aspects Interpretation
By harnessing the power of targeted safety planning, community programs, and proactive healthcare screening, we can turn the tide against intimate partner violence—transforming statistics into stories of safety and resilience.