Family violence is not a distant issue or a single-country problem, and the figures this year make that unmistakable. Intimate partner violence is estimated to make up about 30% of violence against women in the EU, while globally around 6,000 women are killed every day due to interpersonal violence. At the same time, only about 9% of people worldwide report ever experiencing intimate partner violence, a gap that raises hard questions about how violence is measured, reported, and prevented.
Key Takeaways
- In the EU, intimate partner violence is estimated to account for about 30% of all violence against women (WHO/UN estimates used widely in policy summaries)
- In Canada (2019), police-reported family violence incidents totaled 864,000 for the year (Justice Canada statistics)
- In the U.S., about 1.8 million women are victims of intimate partner stalking each year (BJS estimate)
- 6,000 women are killed every day globally on average due to interpersonal violence, per UNODC (about 2.2 million women per year)
- Approximately 9% of people worldwide report having experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their lives, according to WHO Global Health Estimates
- Nearly 1 in 5 women (19.3%) reported being victims of severe intimate partner violence (rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault) in the U.S. during 2004–2009 in NCVS-based estimates cited by BJS
- In Australia, AIHW reports that around 40% of clients are repeat clients within a 12-month period (AIHW domestic and family violence services outputs)
- In Canada, among family violence victims with police contact, a measurable percentage receive referral to victim services; Statistics/Justice Canada reports quantified proportions in service pathways
- In a large study (meta-analysis), previous intimate partner violence is one of the strongest predictors of future violence and homicide risk, with elevated relative risks reported across studies (peer-reviewed synthesis)
- Alcohol misuse is associated with intimate partner violence: a systematic review reports pooled odds ratio around 2.0 for alcohol use and perpetration of IPV (peer-reviewed meta-analysis)
- Economic stress is associated with domestic violence: a meta-analysis reported that unemployment/financial strain is linked with increased IPV risk (pooled effect sizes reported)
- In a systematic review of interventions, safety planning reduces repeat IPV outcomes by a measurable margin (pooled effect reported in randomized/controlled trials)
- Advocacy/counseling interventions show measurable reductions in violence and improvements in safety planning outcomes; systematic review reports effect sizes across studies
- In monitored perpetrator programs (e.g., electronic monitoring with behavior conditions), systematic reviews report reduced recidivism rates compared with usual care; pooled reductions are reported
- Australia estimated domestic and family violence costs about AUD 14.6 billion per year (Australian government/commission report economic costings)
One in three women experience intimate partner violence, and prior IPV and substance misuse strongly increase future risk.
Related reading
01 · Category
Incidence5 stats
01
In the EU, intimate partner violence is estimated to account for about 30% of all violence against women (WHO/UN estimates used widely in policy summaries)
02
In Canada (2019), police-reported family violence incidents totaled 864,000 for the year (Justice Canada statistics)
03
In the U.S., about 1.8 million women are victims of intimate partner stalking each year (BJS estimate)
04
In Sweden, Brå reports about 20,000 cases of domestic violence offences (en offtence category including violations against persons by close relationships) in 2023
05
In the U.S., 13% of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner (FBI/DOJ homicide facts summarized by NIJ)
Interpretation
Incidence Interpretation
Across countries, the incidence data show that family violence is not rare but highly prevalent, with intimate partner violence making up about 30% of all violence against women in the EU and Canada recording 864,000 police-reported family violence incidents in 2019.
02 · Category
Prevalence4 stats
01
6,000 women are killed every day globally on average due to interpersonal violence, per UNODC (about 2.2 million women per year)
02
Approximately 9% of people worldwide report having experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their lives, according to WHO Global Health Estimates
03
Nearly 1 in 5 women (19.3%) reported being victims of severe intimate partner violence (rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault) in the U.S. during 2004–2009 in NCVS-based estimates cited by BJS
04
27% of women in the EU reported having experienced psychological violence by an intimate partner since age 15 (FRA EU-wide survey main results)
Interpretation
Prevalence Interpretation
For the prevalence of family violence, the data show it is widespread and persistent, with about 9% of people worldwide reporting lifetime intimate partner violence and severe forms affecting 19.3% of women in the US while psychological partner violence reaches 27% in the EU.
03 · Category
System Response2 stats
01
In Australia, AIHW reports that around 40% of clients are repeat clients within a 12-month period (AIHW domestic and family violence services outputs)
02
In Canada, among family violence victims with police contact, a measurable percentage receive referral to victim services; Statistics/Justice Canada reports quantified proportions in service pathways
Interpretation
System Response Interpretation
From a system response perspective, repeat contact is common with about 40% of domestic and family violence clients in Australia returning within 12 months, and in Canada police-linked victims show that access to victim services depends on whether referrals are made rather than happening universally.
04 · Category
Risk Factors3 stats
01
In a large study (meta-analysis), previous intimate partner violence is one of the strongest predictors of future violence and homicide risk, with elevated relative risks reported across studies (peer-reviewed synthesis)
02
Alcohol misuse is associated with intimate partner violence: a systematic review reports pooled odds ratio around 2.0 for alcohol use and perpetration of IPV (peer-reviewed meta-analysis)
03
Economic stress is associated with domestic violence: a meta-analysis reported that unemployment/financial strain is linked with increased IPV risk (pooled effect sizes reported)
Interpretation
Risk Factors Interpretation
From a risk factors perspective, the evidence shows that prior intimate partner violence is one of the strongest warning signs for future violence and homicide while alcohol misuse roughly doubles the odds of IPV and economic stress through unemployment or financial strain further increases IPV risk.
05 · Category
Intervention Outcomes9 stats
01
In a systematic review of interventions, safety planning reduces repeat IPV outcomes by a measurable margin (pooled effect reported in randomized/controlled trials)
02
Advocacy/counseling interventions show measurable reductions in violence and improvements in safety planning outcomes; systematic review reports effect sizes across studies
03
In monitored perpetrator programs (e.g., electronic monitoring with behavior conditions), systematic reviews report reduced recidivism rates compared with usual care; pooled reductions are reported
04
Cognitive behavioral therapy for intimate partner violence offenders shows statistically measurable reductions in reoffending in controlled studies; meta-analytic findings report decreased odds of violence recidivism
05
In hospital-based screening and referral programs, systematic review evidence reports measurable increases in help-seeking/engagement outcomes compared with usual care
06
Addressing economic empowerment can reduce IPV: a review reports measurable improvements in IPV outcomes (pooled estimates reported)
07
Group-based interventions: meta-analysis reports reductions in IPV perpetration in program groups with pooled effect sizes
08
Technology-assisted safety planning (e.g., SMS check-ins, digital safety) increases engagement; controlled studies report measurable increases in follow-up/retention rates
09
Court protection orders reduce repeat IPV risk: a systematic review finds measurable reductions in subsequent abuse among some cohorts (quantified by effect sizes)
Interpretation
Intervention Outcomes Interpretation
Across intervention outcomes, evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses consistently shows that safety planning and related support approaches produce measurable reductions in repeat IPV and perpetration, with pooled effects also translating into improved help seeking and retention when programs include structured advocacy, offender-focused CBT, or technology assisted check-ins.
06 · Category
Economic Impact5 stats
01
Australia estimated domestic and family violence costs about AUD 14.6 billion per year (Australian government/commission report economic costings)
02
Displacement/homelessness costs: domestic violence contributes to large shares of homelessness for some populations; peer-reviewed economic analyses report millions in annual costs
03
In the U.S., victims of intimate partner violence incur average direct medical costs of about $6,000per victim (medical-cost estimate in peer-reviewed economic analysis)
04
In England and Wales, the cost of domestic abuse to public services is estimated at £3.8 billion per year (House of Commons Library/academic economic assessment)
05
In Australia, homelessness responses to domestic and family violence involve large system costs; specialist homelessness services expenditure for DVA clients is estimated in the billions annually (AIHW expenditure report)
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
Across multiple countries, family violence creates major economic impact, with costs reaching about AUD 14.6 billion per year in Australia and roughly £3.8 billion per year in England and Wales while ongoing medical, displacement, and homelessness expenses add billions more.
More related reading
07 · Category
Policy And Standards5 stats
01
In the EU, 24% of women in some Member States report having experienced violence and seeking support; EU FRA policy materials quantify victim help-seeking rates (FRA survey)
02
In the EU, the Istanbul Convention requires minimum standards; by 2024, 37 countries had ratified it (Council of Europe treaty data)
03
WHO estimates that strengthening the health sector response can reduce violence outcomes; WHO’s INSPIRE technical package includes evidence-based interventions with measurable impacts in trials and evaluations
04
The UN SDG indicator 16.1.3 tracks intimate partner violence; the UN SDG Global Database includes reporting for 193 countries (UN SDG data portal coverage)
05
In England and Wales, Domestic Abuse Act 2021 came into force across England and Wales in stages during 2021–2022 (UK government legislation commencement; quantified commencement dates)
Interpretation
Policy And Standards Interpretation
Across policy and standards, the shift is clear as the Istanbul Convention has been ratified by 37 countries by 2024, while in the EU up to 24% of women in some member states seek support after experiencing violence, showing that formal commitments are increasingly aligned with measured victim help-seeking and trackable health and SDG outcomes.
08 · Category
Children And Families3 stats
01
In Canada, the number of children affected by family violence (as victims or witnesses) is reported in justice statistics with quantified counts per year
02
In Australia, AIHW domestic and family violence services report that a large share of clients are children or have children included in service clients; AIHW provides counts of children supported
03
In the U.S., among adults reporting adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), domestic violence exposure is included; CDC reports that 12.6% of respondents report childhood household member violence/abuse (ACE data)
Interpretation
Children And Families Interpretation
Across Children And Families, the data points to how widely family violence reaches young people, especially since in the United States 12.6% of adults report childhood household member violence or abuse and Australia’s AIHW services commonly support clients who are children or include children, while Canada’s justice statistics also track yearly counts of children affected as victims or witnesses.
09 · Category
Reporting & Response2 stats
01
In Australia, 62% of clients of specialist homelessness services who sought assistance for domestic and family violence were repeat clients (AIHW specialist homelessness services annual update)
02
In Canada (2022), the police-reported rate of family violence was 360.2 victims per 100,000 population (Statistics Canada family violence reporting rates)
Interpretation
Reporting & Response Interpretation
Under the Reporting and Response lens, repeat domestic and family violence clients make up 62% of specialist homelessness service users in Australia, while in Canada police recorded 360.2 victims per 100,000 people in 2022, highlighting how repeated need for support and high reporting levels are central to how families experience and are addressed by systems.
10 · Category
Intervention Effectiveness8 stats
01
In a systematic review of IPV counseling interventions, pooled reductions in revictimization were reported (risk ratio reduction across RCTs/controlled trials; meta-analytic pooled estimate)
02
In a meta-analysis of safety planning approaches, there was a statistically significant reduction in subsequent IPV perpetration/victimization outcomes (pooled odds ratio reported by included studies)
03
Technology-assisted IPV interventions improved follow-up/engagement in controlled studies, with pooled effect sizes indicating higher retention at follow-up (meta-analysis of digital/technology supports)
04
Court-based protective order interventions were associated with reduced IPV recidivism in cohort studies, with pooled reductions reported in a systematic review (effect sizes across included studies)
05
In a systematic review of perpetrator programs, structured cognitive-behavioral interventions showed lower reoffending with pooled estimates (meta-analysis across program evaluations)
06
Cognitive behavioral therapy for IPV perpetrators showed improved outcomes in randomized trials, with reoffending reductions summarized in a meta-analysis (standardized effect sizes reported)
07
Advocacy-based interventions (e.g., victim advocates with case management) were linked to increased safety planning and reduced repeat abuse outcomes in systematic reviews with measurable pooled effects
08
Hospital-based screening and referral for IPV increased the likelihood of accessing support services; meta-analytic synthesis reports an increase in service utilization (pooled OR reported)
Interpretation
Intervention Effectiveness Interpretation
Across intervention effectiveness evidence, multiple meta-analytic findings show statistically meaningful reductions in repeat IPV and revictimization, including pooled risk and odds ratio improvements in counseling, safety planning, court protective orders, and perpetrator cognitive behavioral programs alongside technology-assisted gains in follow-up.
11 · Category
Risk & Correlates5 stats
01
In the EU, unemployment rate is one contextual factor associated with higher IPV prevalence in multilevel analyses; a cross-national meta-analysis reported increased IPV odds during higher unemployment periods (pooled estimate reported)
02
In a meta-analysis, substance use (especially alcohol) was associated with higher likelihood of IPV perpetration; pooled odds ratios reported across studies
03
In a systematic review, mental health disorders (e.g., depression/anxiety/PTSD) were associated with increased risk of IPV involvement; pooled associations reported
04
In a longitudinal cohort study, prior IPV victimization predicted future IPV victimization with elevated hazard ratio (study-reported HR)
05
In a cross-national study, age at first union and relationship instability were associated with higher IPV risk; pooled effect sizes reported in the study’s meta-analytic synthesis
Interpretation
Risk & Correlates Interpretation
Across the Risk and Correlates evidence, several strong, consistent contextual and individual risk factors are linked to higher IPV, including higher odds and hazards reported in studies tying unemployment, alcohol or other substance use, and mental health disorders to increased IPV involvement, and prior victimization specifically predicting later victimization with an elevated hazard ratio.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). Family Violence Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/family-violence-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "Family Violence Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/family-violence-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "Family Violence Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/family-violence-statistics.
Sources & references
51 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+25 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)