Violence Against Women

The greatest risk for violence and injury for women is from their male intimate partners.*
78% of non-lethal violence (e.g., rape, aggravated, and simple assault) committed against women is committed by an intimate partner.*
4% of non-lethal violence against men is committed by an intimate partner.*
Approximately 80% of female rape victims are victimized by someone they know.**
While crimes of violence, in general, have begun to decline in recent years (since 1992), the violent victimization rate for men has declined to a greater degree than it has for women.*
When men are killed, women are the perpetrators in 9% of the cases. However, when women are killed, men are the perpetrators in 90% of the cases.***
In 70% of all intimate partner homicides, the victims are women.***
There has been a decrease in marital homicide since 1983.***
Unmarried partner homicide rates increased between 1983 and 1993, which was driven primarily by men killing their female partners. These rates have since begun to decline.***

* Bachman, R., & Saltzman, L.E. (1995). Violence Against Women: Estimates from the Redesigned Survey. Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics.

** National Victim Center, & Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center. (1992). Rape in America: A Report to the Nation. (1992). Arlington, VA: National Victim Center.

*** Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, analysis of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Supplementary Homicide Reports.

1998 FS-009