Abuse: The Hidden Side Of Dating

Abuse: The Hidden

Side Of Relationships

Things Are Not Always What They Seem

by Jan Pitts

It was dark and raining when I picked my cousin up from work, but she had on sunglasses.  I knew immediately she was hiding another black eye bestowed on her by her abusive boyfriend but she didn’t want to talk about it. Studies show that there are a large number of single women suffering silently in abusive relationships and no one really knows about it.  Here are 10 facts on this subject.

1.  Every 9 seconds in the US, a woman is assaulted or beaten by a lover.
2. Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused during her lifetime.  Too often, the abuser is a member of her own family.
3. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
4. Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
5. Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.
6. Every day in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.
7. Domestic violence crosses all classes, cultures, religions, and age categories.
8. Studies show that one in three American women have been physically sexually abused by a husband or a boyfriend at some point in their lives.  According to FBI files, in one year, 30% of all female murder victims were killed by their husbands or boyfriends.
9. There are many reasons why women don’t leave abusive relationships. According to The US Department of Justice, leaving can be dangerous and it has been found that the most dangerous time for a woman who is being abused is when she tries to leave the relationship.
10. Stalking a former partner is more prevalent today than ever according to national police reports.