Violence Against Women

Violence against Women

 Violence Against Women

Violence against women affects all racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. It is a leading cause of injury for American women between the ages of 15 and 54, but it can happen at any age. Acts of violence have terrible and costly results for everyone involved, including families, communities, and society. Violence can take several forms including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual assault and abuse, dating violence, and elder abuse.

This specialty page will provide you with information on all of these types of violence against women, including specific resources for each type of violence and information on how to get help. One important part of getting help is knowing if you are in an abusive relationship. Sometimes it can be difficult and confusing to admit that you are in an abusive relationship. But, there are clear signs to help you know if you are being abused.

Violence against women in any form is a crime, regardless of who committed the violent act. It is always wrong, whether the abuser is a family member; someone you date; a current or past spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend; an acquaintance; or a stranger. You are not at fault. You did not cause the abuse to occur, and you are not responsible for the violent behavior of someone else. If you or someone you know has been sexually, physically, or emotionally abused, seek help from other family members and friends or community organizations. Reach out for support or counseling. Talk with a health care provider, especially if you have been physically hurt. Learn how to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse before you find yourself in an uncomfortable or threatening situation.

If you're a victim of violence at the hands of someone you know or love or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone. To get immediate help and support call
The National Domestic Violence Hotline at:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Publications
  1. Federal resource  A Lifetime of Good Health: Your Guide to Staying Healthy
    http://www.4woman.gov/pub/PG.English.pdf
    This guide to staying healthy contains information on women's health needs to live long and well throughout the years. Although there are genetic risks that you cannot control for many diseases, there are risks that you can overcome by following the key preventive steps included in the guide.
  2. Federal resource  Alcohol Alert # 38 Alcohol, Violence, and Aggression
    http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa38.htm
    This publication provides statistical data and research regarding the use of alcohol and the prevalence of alcohol related violence and aggression.
  3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Violence Against Women Webpage, The
    http://www.acog.org/from_home/departments/dept_web.cfm?recno=17
    This web page provides a list of domestic violence resources as well as their recommendation to physicians about intimate partner violence screening tools.
  4. Federal resource  Closing the Gap: Violence
    http://www.omhrc.gov/ctg/ctg-viol.htm
    This newsletter provides links to numerous federal fact sheets containing supportive information, statistics, and initiatives under way to eliminate domestic violence.
  5. Federal resource  HHS Fact Sheet: Preventing Violence Against Women
    http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2001pres/01fsdomviolence.html
    This publication is about government initiatives to prevent violence against women. Topics discussed include the Violence Against Women Act, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, and other government programs.

Organizations
  1. Federal resource  Division of Violence Prevention, NCIPC, CDC, OPHS, HHS
    http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/dvp.htm

  2. National Center for Victims of Crime
    http://www.ncvc.org

  3. National Domestic Violence Hotline
    http://www.ndvh.org/

  4. National Violence Against Women Prevention Research Center
    http://www.vawprevention.org/index.html

  5. Federal resource  Office for Victims of Crime
    http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc

  6. Federal resource  Office on Violence Against Women, OJP, DOJ
    http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/

  7. Partnerships Against Violence Network
    http://www.pavnet.org

Federal resource = Indicates Federal Resources

Last updated: March, 2003