Despite the common perception that domestic violence is a crime overwhelmingly committed by men against women, the data reveal a far more complex reality where victimization crosses all gender lines, with statistics ranging from one in four women experiencing severe physical violence from an intimate partner in the US to nearly half of men reporting some form of contact violence or stalking in their lifetime.
Key Takeaways
- In the United States, according to the CDC's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) 2010 report, approximately 1 in 4 women (24.3%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- In the US, NISVS 2016/2017 data shows that 47.3% of women have experienced some form of contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) Crime Survey for England and Wales (year ending March 2020) reports that 5.7% of women aged 16-59 experienced domestic abuse in the last year
- In the US, NISVS 2010 reports that 1 in 9 men (11.5%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- NISVS 2016/2017: 44.0% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by intimate partner lifetime
- UK ONS year ending March 2020: 3.5% of men aged 16-59 experienced domestic abuse last year
- In the US, CDC NISVS 2010 shows women perpetrate psychological aggression against 48.4% of men lifetime
- Archer 2000 meta-analysis: women self-report partner aggression at rates equal to men (11.4% vs 10.8% past year)
- Straus & Gelles 1990 National Family Violence Survey: women 12.1% assault partners vs men 11.6%
- In the US, CDC NISVS 2010: men perpetrate severe physical violence against 24.3% of women lifetime
- WHO 2021: men responsible for 83% of female homicides globally by partners
- US BJS NCVS 2019: men primary perpetrators in 89% reported IPV cases
- NISVS 2010: CDC reports 35.6% women vs 28.5% men lifetime IPV victimization, near gender symmetry
- UK ONS 2008/09: 45% women, 55% men non-sexual DV victims
- Straus 2005 review: 50/50 gender parity in partner violence perpetration
The statistics show a high global prevalence of intimate partner violence against both women and men.
Gender Symmetry/Comparisons
- NISVS 2010: CDC reports 35.6% women vs 28.5% men lifetime IPV victimization, near gender symmetry
- UK ONS 2008/09: 45% women, 55% men non-sexual DV victims
- Straus 2005 review: 50/50 gender parity in partner violence perpetration
- Archer 2000 meta-analysis: no sex difference in self-reported partner aggression
- Whitaker 2007: 50% bidirectional, 70% female-only, 30% male-only in teen DV
- Langhinrichsen-Rohling 2010: symmetry in community samples
- UK General Household Survey 2017: similar % men/women any domestic abuse
- Australian HILDA survey 2001-2012: 10.1% men, 9.5% women IPV
- Norwegian Gen Pop Survey 2019: 16% women, 11% men physical violence, close rates
- Finnish Nat'l Research 2011: 24% women, 29% men lifetime IPV
- Swedish NTU 2017: 4.8% women, 4.0% men victimized by partner
- US CTS2 data: women 49%, men 51% minor physical aggression
- Psychological aggression: NISVS 48.4% women, 48.8% men victims
- Bidirectional violence 50-70% cases per many studies (Vivian & Langhinrichsen-Rohling)
- Men underreport 2x per PASK study UK, leading to apparent asymmetry
- Women more severe injury but men more contact per Anderson 2002
- Same-sex couples: lesbian higher than gay IPV rates (Walters 2013 NISVS)
- Global: 30% women physical/sexual IPV, men understudied but similar minor (WHO)
- College students: 29% women, 30% men IPV (Sears)
- Elderly: similar rates men/women per US study
- Arrests: women increasing to 30-40% US 2000s
- Self-defense explains 10-20% female violence, rest mutual (Dutton)
- NIJ 2003: both genders initiate violence equally
Gender Symmetry/Comparisons Interpretation
The relentless debate over which gender 'wins' the dubious honor of domestic violence victimization obscures the grim and far more important truth: both men and women are capable of inflicting and enduring terrible harm, with the data revealing a disturbingly symmetrical landscape of mutual aggression that our policies and public sympathy have yet to fully acknowledge.
Perpetration by Females
- In the US, CDC NISVS 2010 shows women perpetrate psychological aggression against 48.4% of men lifetime
- Archer 2000 meta-analysis: women self-report partner aggression at rates equal to men (11.4% vs 10.8% past year)
- Straus & Gelles 1990 National Family Violence Survey: women 12.1% assault partners vs men 11.6%
- UK Home Office 2004: women 45% of domestic violence arrests
- US BJS 2008: women 40% of partner violence perpetrators in police data
- Whitaker 2007 CDC study: women sole perpetrators in 70% unidirectional teen dating violence
- Dutton 2006: female perps 50% in clinical samples
- Australian study 2014: women 35% family violence offenders
- Canadian Transition Home Survey 2009: 22% shelters reported female violence
- Norwegian Gen Pop 2003: women more likely slap/push (17% vs 12%)
- US National Violence Against Women Survey 2000: women 5.9% rape/sexual assault on men
- Straus 2009: women 28% severe assaults on partners
- UK Police data 2014: female suspects 38% domestic abuse
- Finnish 2010: women 42% police-recorded IPV perps
- Swedish crime survey: women 55% minor assaults on partners
- US women 20% more likely throw objects per CTS2
- Teen dating: 39% girls aggressive vs 17% boys (OFFSC study)
- Women use weapons 2x more in DV per NIJ 2003
- Female perps more likely stalking ex-partners (US Secret Service 2011)
- In same-sex couples, female-female higher violence rates (NISVS)
- Mothers perpetrate 70% child abuse per US HHS
Perpetration by Females Interpretation
The portrait painted by these statistics reveals domestic violence as a fundamentally human, rather than gendered, epidemic, where women are far from the exclusive victims and men are far from the exclusive monsters.
Perpetration by Males
- In the US, CDC NISVS 2010: men perpetrate severe physical violence against 24.3% of women lifetime
- WHO 2021: men responsible for 83% of female homicides globally by partners
- US BJS NCVS 2019: men primary perpetrators in 89% reported IPV cases
- UK ONS 2020: male suspects 80% domestic abuse incidents
- NISVS 2010: men perpetrate rape against 8.8% women
- Australian ABS 2016: male partners primary in 87% physical violence against women
- Straus National Family Violence Survey 1985: men 12.1% assault wives vs 4.8% severe
- Archer 2000: men slightly higher injury-causing violence
- US DOJ 2000 NVAWS: men perpetrate 92% partner rape/sexual assault
- Canadian GSS 2014: male perps in 75% severe IPV cases
- EU FRA 2014: 95% physical violence by male partners on women
- India NFHS-5: husband/partner male perpetrator in 99% cases
- South Africa DHS 2016: male partners 95% physical violence on women
- Brazil Lancet 2017: male perps dominant in IPV
- Men 85% DV homicide perpetrators US (FBI 2019)
- Male stalkers 80% of intimate partner stalking (US NISVS)
- Fathers 65% child physical abuse per US HHS
- Male perps more lethal violence per WHO
- In police data, men 70% DV arrests US 2010
- Male dominance in coercive control per Dutton
- In teen dating, boys 50% sexual violence perps (CDC)
Perpetration by Males Interpretation
While the data undeniably paints a picture of male-perpetrated violence as a dominant and lethal pattern across nations and contexts, it's crucial to remember that each percentage point represents a human tragedy, not a debating score, and our focus must remain on ending the harm rather than merely tabulating it.
Prevalence among Females
- In the United States, according to the CDC's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) 2010 report, approximately 1 in 4 women (24.3%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- In the US, NISVS 2016/2017 data shows that 47.3% of women have experienced some form of contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) Crime Survey for England and Wales (year ending March 2020) reports that 5.7% of women aged 16-59 experienced domestic abuse in the last year
- WHO World Report on Violence and Health (2002) estimates that 29% of women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner
- Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey 2016 finds 23% of women aged 15+ have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a cohabiting partner since age 15
- In the US, NISVS 2010 indicates 16.5% of women experienced sexual violence other than rape by an intimate partner
- Canadian General Social Survey 2014 shows 21% of women reported intimate partner violence in their lifetime
- EU Fundamental Rights Agency survey 2014: 22% of women in EU have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from partner
- In India, National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) reports 32% of ever-married women aged 18-49 experienced spousal violence
- US Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey 2019: women comprised 72% of intimate partner violence victims
- NISVS 2010: 48.4% of women experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in lifetime
- UK ONS 2019: 2.7% of women experienced partner physical violence in past year
- WHO 2021 factsheet: up to 38% of female homicides globally by intimate partner
- New Zealand Family Violence Death Review Committee 2020: 70% of intimate partner homicides victims are women
- South Africa Demographic Health Survey 2016: 20.6% of women experienced physical violence by partner
- US NISVS 2010 teen data: 16% of female high school students experienced physical dating violence
- Brazilian study Lancet 2017: 27.4% lifetime IPV prevalence among women
- Russian Reproductive Health Survey 2011: 23% of women reported physical violence by partner
- Egyptian DHS 2014: 31.9% women experienced physical violence from husband
- Swedish study 2018: 9.2% women lifetime partner physical violence
- Mexican ENSANUT 2018: 24.9% women reported IPV
- Japanese National Survey 2017: 17.4% women experienced partner violence
- Nigerian DHS 2018: 27.1% women spousal violence
- Colombian DHS 2015: 25.4% women physical/sexual IPV
- Turkish DHS 2013: 38% ever-married women physical/sexual violence
- Kenyan DHS 2014: 38% women experienced spousal violence
- Peruvian DHS 2012: 44.8% women partner violence
- US Black women: NISVS 32.4% lifetime severe physical IPV
- Hispanic women US: 27.5% lifetime IPV per NISVS
Prevalence among Females Interpretation
A global snapshot reveals a grim, consistent pattern: whether in Detroit, Delhi, or Damascus, a staggering and unconscionable percentage of women are statistically drafted into a shadow war where their own homes are often the most dangerous frontlines.
Prevalence among Males
- In the US, NISVS 2010 reports that 1 in 9 men (11.5%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- NISVS 2016/2017: 44.0% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by intimate partner lifetime
- UK ONS year ending March 2020: 3.5% of men aged 16-59 experienced domestic abuse last year
- Australian Personal Safety Survey 2016: 9.9% men experienced physical/sexual violence from cohabiting partner since 15
- Canadian GSS 2014: 19% men lifetime intimate partner violence
- EU FRA 2014: 7% men experienced physical/sexual partner violence (limited data)
- US NISVS 2010: 10.7% men experienced sexual violence by intimate partner
- UK ONS 2019: 1.3% men experienced partner physical violence past year
- NISVS 2010: 48.8% men psychological aggression by partner lifetime
- New Zealand 2020: men 30% of family violence death review victims
- NISVS teen: 10% male high school students physical dating violence
- US BJS NCVS 2003-2012: men 38% of IPV injuries treated in ER
- UK Crime Survey 2008/09: 40% non-sexual DV victims male
- Swedish partner violence study 2018: 9.3% men lifetime physical
- Partners of female perps injure at similar rates per Archer 2000 meta-analysis
- US NISVS white men 28.0% lifetime physical violence by partner
- Black men US: 31.3% lifetime severe physical IPV per NISVS
- Multiracial men US: 37.3% lifetime IPV
- In a US college sample, 27% men reported IPV victimization (Straus 2004)
- Norwegian study 2014: 9.3% men past year minor physical assault by partner
- Finnish study 2010: 23% men lifetime IPV
- In Canada, 6% men past 5 years severe IPV (Statistics Canada 2009)
- Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2012-2013: 5.5% men domestic abuse past year
- Irish CSO 2018: 10% men lifetime IPV
Prevalence among Males Interpretation
While the numbers may jostle and vary across borders and studies, one fact stubbornly endures: men are not a statistical footnote but a substantial cohort of victims in the sobering ledger of domestic violence.
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