As many as four million women in this country suffer some kind of violence at the hands of their husbands or boyfriends each year. Very few will tell anyone—a friend, a relative, a neighbor, or the police. Victims of domestic violence come from all walks of life, all cultures, all income groups, all ages, all religions. They share feelings of helplessness, isolation, guilt, fear, and shame.

Further Information... How to talk to friends who are being abused Information for abusers

Domestic Violence Facts

In the state of Connecticut, an estimated 40,000 incidents of battering occur each year.

There are an estimated 28 million battered women in the U.S., more than half of all married women in the country.

In the U.S., one woman is beaten by her husband or partner every 9 seconds.

Battering is the single major cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the U.S.; more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.

70% of the assault victims seen in the emergency room of Boston City Hospital are women who have been attacked in their own homes.

Domestic Violence is a crime. In all 50 states police can arrest the abuser.

In 95% of family violence cases the victims are women beaten by male partners. In 1% of the cases the reverse is true.

3 out of 5 women in the U.S. will be battered in their lifetime.

Battering occurs in all socio-economic, cultural, racial, and religious groups.

How to Find Help... To speak to a counselor near you, call CT's Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline 1-888-774-2900 or in New Haven, call Domestic Violence Services of Greater New Haven at (203) 789-8104 Services on Campus: University Police: 911 Conseling Services: 203-392-5475 Women's Center: 203-392-6946 Services off Campus: Police: 911 Infoline: 211 Program for Abusers (NOVA): 860-347-8220 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-3244 Greater New Haven Sexual Assault Crisis Services: 1-888-999-5545

Are You Abused?
Does the person you love...

Track all of your time?

Constantly accuse you of being unfaithful?

Discourage your relationships with family and friends?

Prevent you from working or attending school?

Criticize you for little things?

Anger easily when drinking or using other drugs?

Control all finances and force you to account in detail for what you spend?

Humiliate you in front of others?

Destroy personal property or sentimental items?

Hit, punch, kick, or bite you?

Use or threaten to use a weapon against you?

Threaten to hurt you?

Force you to have sex against your will?
If you find yourself saying yes to any of these—it's time to get help.

If You Are Hurt, What Can You Do?
There are no easy answers, but there are things you can do to protect yourself.

Call the police or sheriff. Assault, even by family members, is a crime. The police often have information about shelters and other agencies that help victims of domestic violence.

Leave, or have someone come and stay with you. Go to a battered women's shelter—call a crisis hotline in your community or a healthy center to locate a shelter. If you believe that you are in danger, leave immediately.

Get medical attention from your doctor or a hospital emergency room. Ask the staff to photograph your injuries and keep detailed records in case you decide to take legal action.

Contact your family court for information about a civil protection order that does not involve criminal charges or penalties.

For resources contact the Women's Center at 203-392-6946

*Information provided by the Connecticut Clearinghouse and the Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis.