Jerel Benjamin discusses important facts about domestic violence.

1. FIVE IMPORTANT
FIVE IMPORTANT
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
FACTS
FACTS
Jerel Benjamin

2. IT IS COMMON
IT IS COMMON
1
1.
.
According to Psychology Today, a woman is
beaten every nine seconds. Twenty million
people are abused by a significant other every
minute, which equals about 10 million people
per year. IPV, or “intimate partner violence,”
makes up 15% of all violent crimes.

3. 2. BOTH MEN AND WOMEN
2. BOTH MEN AND WOMEN
ARE VICTIMS
ARE VICTIMS
Studies have found that 40% of domestic
violence victims are men, and 1 in 4 men have
been in abusive relationships. Although women
are the primary victims, no gender is safe from
this crime. Men experience IPV and often feel a
sense of stigma and embarrassment or shame
to admit they are victims.

4. 3. VICTIMS FACE BLAME
3. VICTIMS FACE BLAME
CULTURE
CULTURE
People often ask victims if they did anything to provoke their
abuser; the truth is there is never a valid excuse for anyone to
execute violence against another person. Abuse should never
be present in a romantic relationship or a parent-child
relationship for any reason. Those who commit these acts of
violence are bound to repeat their actions

5. 4. LEAVING IS NOT
4. LEAVING IS NOT
EASY
EASY
Many victims are severely frightened to leave
their abuser for reasons such as lack of financial
security and fear of their abuser’s reaction. There
are countless cases of abusers going as far as
killing their victims when they attempt to escape.

6. 5. RESPONDING TO
5. RESPONDING TO
ABUSE IS CHALLENGING
ABUSE IS CHALLENGING
As stated before, domestic violence is a sensitive topic,
and many people find it difficult to know what to do to
help someone struggling with this issue. Some
suggestions for helping a loved one in this position
would be to listen and believe them when they choose
to discuss this with you. If you can, offer them a place to
stay or financial assistance, and call the police if you
witness a violent act.