Domestic violence is all too prevalent in our society. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than 12 million men and women are victims of rape, physical violence, and stalking by an intimate partner on an annual basis. But this statistic only tells part of the story:
- Nearly 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men are victims at some point during their life
- Of the cases of domestic assault that enter the court system, 22 % were witnessed by a child
- Almost 30% of college women report having been in an abusive dating relationship
- Over half of all college women report knowing a friend who has been in a violent dating relationship
When living with – or leaving – a domestic abuser, experts recommend creating a safety plan. Safety plans are drafted by a professional and outline how to deal with the abuser in a variety of different circumstances.