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New CDC Study Estimates That a Quarter of US Women

Friday, April 4, 2008
A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study showed that one-quarter of US women have suffered "intimate partner violence" at some point in their lives, meaning that an estimated 1,200 women are killed and 2 million more are injured in domestic disputes resulting in violence each year.   Around 10% of US men report similar violence.

The study, which was developed from the responses of over 70,000 people in 2005, showed that women who face domestic violence are likely to develop ongoing health problems which "one activist likened to the effects of living in a war zone."

The study also demonstrated the following information with regards to the demographics of domestic violence (DV) in the US:

  • Black women reported higher instances of DV than white or latino women; however, DV was reported most frequently by multiracial women, Alaskan native women, and American Indian women.
  • DV was reported by women of all class and education levels; however, most reported instances were amongst the poorest or those who attended college or university for some time, but did not complete their degree.

A CDC epidemiologist speculated that one of the factors in this second point "is the high prevalence of sexual violence on college campuses, and dating violence."

Overall, the results of this study did not vary greatly from past studies, like its 1995 predecessing governmental survey.  Therefore, the study was unable to determine if domestic violence rates were rising or falling. 

Compiled from: "Quarter of U.S Women Suffer Domestic Violence," MSNBC, www.msnbc.msn.com, 7 February 2008.

For More Information

For more information, see the Domestic Violence section of this website.

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