Domestic Abuse

Issue Overview

Domestic abuse is abusive or violent behavior in a close relationship, such as a marriage, a dating couple, or a family. Abuse can come in many forms: physical, sexual, and emotional. Often, domestic abuse is a pattern of behavior, over time, of one person exerting power and control over another.

Although domestic abuse happens to people in every walk of life, it is one of the leading causes of injury to women. Approximately 90% of domestic abuse victims are women.

Why does it matter to me?

More often than not, victims of abuse are well known to the perpetrator. Since domestic abuse can happen to men and women, adults, teens and children, it is a community-wide issue. There were over 6,400 recorded domestic violence offenses in Palm Beach County last year, ...

...18 of which resulted in death.

What can I do?

Many different groups play a role in helping both perpetrators and victims of domestic abuse. The mental health community, the faith based community, and victims' services, such as legal services, are all part of the picture. As individuals, learning the risk factors and warning signs, along with raising awareness, are crucial steps towards a safer community.