Domestic Abuse Fact Sheet

In Massachusetts, domestic abuse is a serious, widespread problem:

• One out of twenty women aged 18-59 reported experiencing physical violence, fear, or control by an intimate partner in the past year.
  (MA Behavioral Risk Survey, MA Department of Public Health, 1988 and 1999)
• One in five female high school students reported being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner, potentially leading to health risk behaviors such as substance abuse, unhealthy weight control, risky sexual behavior, pregnancy and suicide attempts.
  (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2001)
• In 2000, 16 women and 3 children were killed as a result of domestic violence.
  (Jane Doe, Inc. MA Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)
• There were 36,085 restraining orders issued in Massachusetts in 2000.
  (MA Office of the Commissioner of Probation)
• According to the Registry of Civil Restraining Orders, an estimated 43,000 children are annually exposed to reported acts of abuse and violence between family members.
  (MA Office of the Commissioner of Probation, 1995)
• It is estimated that approximately 25% of people in same-sex relationships experience violence by an intimate partner.
  (The Network for Battered Lesbians. Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project. 2000)
• From October 2000 to September 2001, the SafeLink Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline answered more than 26,000 calls. Safelink telephone number: 1-877-785-2020
  (Casa Myrna Vasquez, Inc.)
• Last year, the Boston Police Department responded to more than 12,000 incidents of domestic violence; more than 5,500 restraining orders were filed against perpetrators of domestic violence and 2,631 arrests were made for violations of restraining orders.
  (Boston Police Department, Domestic Violence Unit)

(Adapted from Casa Myrna Vasquez, Inc., www.casamyrna.org)

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For more information or to discuss domestic abuse concerns please contact Partners Employee Assistance Program at 1-866-724-4EAP.

Or Call Safelink: a 24 hour Hotline for Information and Referral Call 1-877-785-2020

If you need Immediate Assistance, dial the police at 911