Myths and Facts of Domestic Violence
Myth: “Women are just as violent as men.”
Fact: "In 2007, 45% of female homicide victims were murdered by intimate partners; 5% of male homicide victims were murdered by intimate partners."*
"85% of all domestic violence is perpetrated against women."****
Myth: “It is easy for battered women to leave their abuser.”
Fact: "Women who are separated from their partners have the highest rates of intimate partner victimization (42%) as opposed to 1% for married women, 9% for divorced women and 5% for women who have never been married." ***
Myth: “Domestic violence is a private issue. It doesn't impact society."
Fact: "The direct health care costs of domestic violence are approximately $4.1 billion with an additional $1.8 billion in productivity losses associated with injuries and premature death." **
"The health care costs associated with each incident of domestic violence are $948 in cases in which women are victims and $387 in cases in which men are the victims."*****
"Women who have experienced domestic violence in their lifetimes are more likely to report the following than women who have not eperienced domestic violence: use of disability equipment; arthritis; asthma; activity limitations; stroke; high blood cholesterol; heart attack; heart disease; risk factors for HIV and STDs; smoking; and heavy or binge drinking."****
Facts taken from materials written by Missouri Coalition, citing outside data sources from the following:
*(Catalano, Smith, Snyder, and Rand, 2009)
**(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003)
***(Catalano, 2007)
****(Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000)
***** (Arias & Corso, 2005)
Information was obtained through the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence – www.ilcadv.org