A shocking reality exists in the United States: physical abuse happens to a woman every nine seconds. The numbers paint a grim picture – more than 12 million people face rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner each year.
The statistics remain staggering despite growing awareness. Almost 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have experienced intimate partner violence that severely affects their daily lives. Troubling patterns emerge from domestic violence rates among different demographics.
Nearly half of all women and men endure psychological aggression during their lifetime (48.4% and 48.8%, respectively). Domestic violence trends continue to pose challenges over the last decade, even with better reporting systems in place.
This piece will reveal the hidden truth behind these numbers and show who faces the highest risks. We'll look at different forms of abuse and their lasting effects on society. Our analysis of current domestic abuse data will also show how recent global events have shaped these disturbing trends.
Domestic Violence in 2025: Key Statistics at a Glance
Domestic violence remains a widespread issue that affects millions of Americans in 2025. National surveys show about 10 million people face domestic violence each year. The numbers are alarming – 20 people become victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner every minute.
1. How many people are affected annually
The scale of this problem is overwhelming. The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) completed its twentieth Domestic Violence Counts Survey on September 10, 2025. This survey tracked people seeking help during a single 24-hour period and gave an explanation of service requests and unmet needs due to limited resources.
Intimate partner violence impacts more than 12 million people yearly across the country. The numbers show 10 million women and men become victims of domestic violence each year. The National Crime Victimization Survey reports about 4.2 victimizations per 1,000 people.
Many cases still go unreported. Law enforcement receives reports of only about half (52%) of all domestic violence incidents. This number has dropped substantially – about two-thirds of victims reported incidents to police in 2010, compared to 52% now.
2. Gender breakdown of victims
The gender gap in domestic violence victimization remains stark. Worldwide, about 736 million women—almost one in three—have faced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at some point.
American statistics paint a similar picture. Nearly 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner. The numbers grow higher when including all forms of abuse – 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and 1 in 4 men (28.5%) have faced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner.
Women between 18 to 34 years face the highest rates of intimate partner violence. Between 1994 and 2010, about 4 in 5 victims of intimate partner violence were female.
3. Domestic violence rates by type of abuse
Domestic violence shows up in different forms, each with its own prevalence:
- Physical violence: Partner assault affects 22% of people at least once (23% of females and 19.3% of males).
- Sexual violence: Rape has affected nearly 1 in 5 women (18.3%) and 1 in 71 men (1.4%) in their lifetime, with intimate partners responsible for nearly 1 in 10 women's (9.4%) cases.
- Psychological aggression: Almost half of American women and men have experienced psychological aggression from an intimate partner (48.4% and 48.8%). Emotional abuse stands out as most common – 80% of people have used emotional abuse at some point.
- Stalking: One in 6 women (16.2%) and 1 in 19 men (5.2%) have dealt with stalking. Current or former intimate partners stalked two-thirds (66.2%) of female victims.
4. Domestic violence graph: trends over the last decade
Domestic violence incidents have fluctuated in the last decade. Between 2016 and 2018, intimate partner violence rose by 42% and ended up making up over 20% of all violent crime. The rate dropped slightly to 4.2 victimizations per 1,000 people in 2019 from 4.8 per 1,000 in 2018.
The pandemic created unprecedented changes. Many areas saw domestic violence cases spike during lockdowns while support services became harder to access.
A concerning pattern shows fewer people report domestic violence to authorities now compared to 2010. This makes it harder to track actual cases and provide adequate services.
The economic impact tells its own story – domestic and family violence costs the nation over 12 billion dollars yearly.
The Different Faces of Abuse
Domestic relationships can experience abuse in many ways beyond what we see in media. Studies show that intimate partner violence (IPV) has a range of behaviors that hurt victims physically, emotionally, and economically. People need to know these different signs to provide the right support.
1. Physical and sexual violence
Physical violence stands out as the most visible type of domestic abuse. One person tries to harm their partner through physical force. Victims experience hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, burning, and strangulation. The numbers tell a scary story. About 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) in the US have faced severe physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Sexual violence goes beyond physical abuse. Abusers force or try to force their partners into sexual acts without consent. They pursue sexual activity when victims can't stay conscious or feel too scared to say no.
Some force their partners to have sex with others or hurt them during sex. The statistics are alarming. Nearly 1 in 5 women (18.3%) and 1 in 71 men (1.4%) have experienced rape. Almost 1 in 10 women (9.4%) report rape by an intimate partner.
2. Emotional and psychological abuse
Psychological aggression shows up when abusers use words and actions to hurt their partner's mental state or control them. People often overlook this type of abuse, but it affects many lives. Research shows almost half of all women and men in the US have faced psychological aggression from an intimate partner (48.4% and 48.8%).
Emotional abuse often means verbal attacks, control, isolation, ridicule, or using personal information to hurt someone. The Hotline's 2020 data reveals that 95% of contacts reported emotional abuse. This type of abuse often leads to other forms of violence. It breaks down self-esteem and creates dependency on the abusive partner.
Survivors say emotional abuse can hurt more than physical violence. Women who face emotional abuse often feel more lonely and hopeless than those who experience physical abuse. This abuse chips away at someone's self-worth, confidence, and mental strength. Escaping the relationship becomes harder with time.
3. Financial and digital control
Financial abuse remains one of the most powerful yet misunderstood tactics in abusive relationships. Studies show it happens in 99% of domestic violence cases. Abusers might stop victims from working, control spending, block access to bank accounts, withhold money, or create huge debts in joint accounts.
Money worries top the list of reasons why victims stay in or return to abusive relationships. Without money, victims face huge obstacles to independence and safety. Many end up homeless or financially insecure for years.
Abusers now use technology as another way to control their victims. Technology-facilitated abuse happens when someone misuses digital tools to harass, threaten, or control others. Refuge, a domestic violence charity, reports that over 70% of their clients have dealt with tech-related abuse in relationships. Abusers track their victims through GPS, watch them through smart home devices, check their messages, and control shared digital accounts.
Digital abuse stands out because it doesn't need physical closeness. The abuse can continue even after separation. Smart homes have given abusers new ways to control others. They track movements through smartwatches and control home environments using smart speakers and thermostats.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Some groups face much higher risks of domestic violence than others. Personal traits and economic factors play a significant role in who becomes vulnerable. We need to understand these risk factors to create better prevention strategies and support systems for people most affected by intimate partner violence.
1. Age groups with highest victimization
Young adults experience domestic violence more than any other age group. Statistics show 38.6% of women and 47.1% of men first face intimate partner violence between ages 18-24. This group reports domestic violence to police at double the rate of older age groups.
Women aged 18-24 and 25-34 most often suffer abuse from intimate partners. Black women under 30 are three times more likely to experience domestic violence compared to those over 40. Teens between 11-17 make up the second most vulnerable group. These numbers show why early intervention programs matter so much.
2. Ethnic and racial disparities
The numbers reveal clear racial and ethnic differences. Black and Hispanic women report intimate partner violence to police two to three times more often than white women. Black individuals experience domestic violence at 9.2%, Hispanic individuals at 8.6%, American Indian/Alaska Native at 8.2%, and non-Hispanic whites at 5.7%.
Black women's outcomes are especially severe. Men murder them nearly three times more often than white women – 2.85 per 100,000 compared to 1.03 per 100,000. About 41.2% of Black women suffer physical abuse from partners during their lifetime.
Native American women face equally troubling situations. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found 51% of American Indian/Alaska Native women experienced physical violence from intimate partners in their lifetime.
3. LGBTQ+ community statistics
LGBTQ+ individuals experience domestic violence at rates matching or exceeding heterosexual relationships. About 44% of lesbian women and 61% of bisexual women have faced rape, physical violence, or stalking by intimate partners compared to 35% of straight women.
The numbers show 26% of gay men and 37% of bisexual men have experienced intimate partner violence compared to 29% of straight men. Transgender people face even higher rates – between 31-50% experience intimate partner violence.
Black and African American LGBTQ+ individuals deal with multiple risk factors. They experience physical violence more often than other groups. More than 60% of all LGBTQ+ people have faced domestic, family, or intimate partner violence at some point.
4. Domestic abuse statistics by income and education
Money problems can lead to domestic violence. Research suggests financial stress might be the biggest risk factor. Police reports show first-time intimate partner violence rates hit 13.8 per 1,000 women in the poorest neighborhoods, but only 5.0 in the wealthiest areas.
Higher education levels mean lower domestic violence risk. People with less education have fewer job options and resources to escape abuse. Those living in poverty deal with limited resources and increased relationship stress.
Job status affects risk patterns too. Research links both unemployment and irregular work to increased domestic violence. Black women in poor areas face domestic violence three times more often than those living elsewhere. This shows how money problems can make other risk factors worse.
The Hidden Costs of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence leaves devastating hidden costs that ripple through victims' lives and society, far beyond the immediate physical harm. Research findings paint a stark picture of long-lasting effects that news outlets often miss in their coverage.
1. Mental health consequences
Domestic abuse takes a devastating psychological toll. Survivors experience PTSD at rates between 31% and 84%, with an average of 64%. These numbers dwarf the general female population's PTSD rates of 1% to 12%.
Depression strikes survivors hard and often. Research shows that 48% of domestic violence survivors develop major depression. These symptoms persist stubbornly even after the abuse stops. Many survivors battle chronic depression long after their last encounter with abuse.
The American Psychiatric Association reports that one in five domestic violence survivors develop serious mental health conditions. These include major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. Mental health challenges create a dangerous spiral – survivors blame themselves, become self-critical, self-destructive, and sometimes suicidal.
2. Economic impact on victims and society
Domestic violence creates massive financial burdens. U.S. costs from intimate partner violence exceed USD 8.30 billion yearly. A newer study, published in 2024 by California researchers shows the state's annual economic burden reaches USD 73.70 billion.
Healthcare expenses make up much of this financial toll. Domestic violence victims' healthcare costs run 42% higher than those who haven't experienced abuse. Survivors continue paying 19% more for healthcare even five years after escaping abuse. Combined medical and mental healthcare costs reach USD 4.00 billion annually.
Children who witness domestic violence face serious economic challenges later in life. Each child's lifetime costs average over USD 50,000 (in 2016 dollars). This breaks down into increased healthcare costs (USD 11,000), crime-related expenses (USD 14,000), and lost productivity (USD 26,000).
3. Workplace disruptions and job loss
Abuse follows victims to work. Research shows 53.5% of domestic violence victims face continued abuse at or near their workplace. Harassers commonly use phone calls or text messages.
Work performance suffers significantly – 81.9% of survivors report their work quality declined due to abuse. Distraction, fatigue, and poor health often cause these problems. Abuse prevents 38% of victims from getting to work.
Job losses create another crushing blow. Between 21-60% of survivors lose jobs because of abuse-related issues. Direct violence causes 8.5% of domestic abuse victims to lose their positions. Collectively, survivors miss 8 million paid workdays annually – equivalent to 32,000 full-time jobs.
Businesses bear substantial costs from domestic violence. Companies lose USD 77.90 million yearly as a direct result. Lost productivity alone costs businesses USD 729 million annually due to domestic violence.
Why Victims Stay: The Untold Barriers
People who want to understand why victims stay in abusive relationships need to learn about the complex barriers they face. Studies show that victims face the most danger when they try to leave. Fear, money problems, and emotional control create powerful forces that keep victims trapped in abuse cycles.
1. Fear of retaliation or death
Fear remains the biggest reason victims don't leave. Research shows that violence usually gets worse when victims try to escape. The risk of injury or death peaks during separation attempts. Victims worry not just about their own safety but also about their family members and friends who might help them escape.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline's survey reveals that victims often believe calling the police could make things worse instead of better. These fears aren't unfounded – abusers often make serious threats about what will happen if victims leave.
2. Financial dependence and housing insecurity
Almost every abusive relationship (98-99%) involves economic abuse. Money problems become the number one reason victims stay in or go back to dangerous situations. Abusers often stop victims from working, take control of money, and destroy their credit scores. Victims without access to money face huge challenges.
Many stay because they worry about supporting themselves and their children. The financial damage runs deep – survivors lose about $53,000 in wages throughout their lives, and 70% can't keep their jobs. This financial trap forces victims to choose between abuse and possible homelessness.
3. Child custody threats and legal challenges
Abusers often use children to control their victims. Many victims hear threats that they'll lose their kids if they try to leave. The courts sometimes miss these tactics. Abusers play victim through DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender).
They use the legal system to threaten victims who want to escape. Custody fights get really tough when courts don't see the abuse patterns. The thought of losing their children stops many victims from leaving, especially since ending the relationship doesn't always keep the children safe.
4. Emotional manipulation and trauma bonding
Mental abuse breaks down victims' self-esteem and makes them depend on their abusive partners. Victims often lose their identity and start to doubt their worth. This makes leaving much harder. Abusers use fear, shame, and embarrassment to stay in control.
They often gaslight victims by telling them they're too emotional or overreacting, which makes victims question their own judgment. Abusers also threaten suicide during arguments. These mind games explain why victims usually try to leave several times before they finally escape.
How the Pandemic Changed the Numbers
The COVID-19 pandemic changed domestic violence statistics dramatically worldwide. The United Nations called this change a "shadow pandemic". Public health lockdowns and isolation measures made abuse situations worse.
1. Spike in domestic violence during lockdowns
U.S. domestic violence incidents rose by 8.1% after stay-at-home orders came into effect in 2020. Some areas showed even more concerning numbers. Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region saw help-seeking calls jump by 50-60%. Abuse rates kept climbing as families stayed together longer under stressful conditions. Job losses, money problems, and extra childcare duties created the perfect environment that made abuse worse.
2. Reduced access to support services
The pandemic restrictions created a terrible situation for victims. Violence increased right when support services became harder to reach.
Health services that helped rape victims and provided mental health support couldn't keep up with demand. Victims couldn't make private calls to get help because their abusers were always nearby. Support resources that normally helped prevent violence had to shift their focus to COVID-19 relief.
3. Long-term effects of isolation on victims
Lockdown isolation made psychological trauma worse for victims. Time away from support networks led them to depend more on their abusers.
Their mental health suffered greatly. Many reported feeling more anxious, depressed, and scared all the time. These problems caused lasting harm that made victims more vulnerable to manipulation and gave them fewer chances to escape.
Conclusion
The numbers tell a shocking story about domestic violence in America. Around 10 million people face domestic abuse each year, and these numbers don't even tell the whole story. Only half of all cases make it to the police.
Domestic violence touches people from every walk of life, but some groups face bigger risks than others. Young women aged 18-34, Black and Indigenous communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals suffer abuse at much higher rates. This means support services must be tailored to help these vulnerable groups overcome specific challenges they face.
The damage from domestic violence goes way beyond physical injuries. Survivors often develop PTSD – up to 84% of them. The economic toll in the United States reaches $8.30 billion every year. More than half of survivors say their abusers follow them to work or nearby, which makes their lives even harder.
Many victims can't just walk away. They stay trapped because they fear revenge, depend on their abuser for money, worry about their children, or fall victim to psychological abuse. We need to understand these roadblocks to help people escape abuse.
COVID-19 made everything worse. Experts called it a "shadow pandemic" as abuse rates shot up during lockdowns. People couldn't reach out for help as easily. Even though lockdowns have ended, isolation still affects many victims.
These statistics aren't just numbers – each one represents someone's pain and suffering. We need healthcare, legal teams, educators, and social workers to work together. Until we treat domestic violence like the public health crisis it is, millions will keep suffering silently, hidden from view but right next door.
FAQs
Q1. How prevalent is domestic violence in 2025?
According to recent statistics, approximately 10 million people in the United States experience domestic violence annually. This translates to about 20 people per minute becoming victims of physical violence, rape, or stalking by an intimate partner.
Q2. Which groups are most at risk for domestic violence?
Young adults aged 18-24 experience the highest rates of domestic violence. Additionally, women between 18-34 years old, Black and Indigenous communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals face disproportionately higher risks of abuse compared to other demographic groups.
Q3. What are the long-term effects of domestic violence on victims?
Domestic violence can have severe long-term consequences on victims' mental health, with PTSD rates as high as 84% among survivors. Economically, victims may face job loss, reduced earning potential, and higher healthcare costs. These impacts often persist even after the abuse has ended.
Q4. Why do many victims stay in abusive relationships?
Victims often remain in abusive relationships due to complex factors including fear of retaliation, financial dependence, concerns about child custody, and emotional manipulation by their abusers. The fear of escalated violence during separation attempts is a significant barrier to leaving.
Q5. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect domestic violence rates?
The pandemic led to a significant increase in domestic violence incidents, with an 8.1% rise following stay-at-home orders in 2020. Lockdowns created conditions for abuse to escalate while simultaneously reducing victims' access to support services, exacerbating the crisis.
