Fact sheet: domestic violence in Georgia, No. 48 (Feb. 2008)

fact sheet

Georgia Department of Human Resources
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN GEORGIA
Nationally: On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends every day in the United States. Homicide is the leading cause of death among pregnant women. 76% of intimate partner murder victims had been stalked by their intimate partner 1 in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Witnessing violence between one's caretakers is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next. More than half of female victims of intimate violence live in homes with children under the age of 12. Studies suggest that between 3.3 to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually One in five teens in a serious relationship reports having been hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner.
Georgia: Domestic violence continues to be a leading cause of injuries for girls and women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the state of Georgia. Georgia ranks 7th in the country for its rate of female homicide. 96,110 crisis calls were made to domestic violence shelters in 2006. Georgia's certified family violence programs provided shelter for 4,588 adults and 4,788 children with a total of 234,834 shelter nights in 2006. 32% of domestic violence-related incidents were committed by a present or former spouse in Georgia. In 2003, almost 20% of 12th graders report being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend during the past 12 months. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reports that law enforcement officers responded to 54,010 family violence incidents in 2006 with 19,524 children were involved in the total family violence incidents.
Georgia Resources A statewide toll-free 24-hour crisis line: 1-800-33-HAVEN (334-2836) will automatically connect the caller to the nearest family violence agency. Outside of Georgia, a national tool free 24 hour crisis line 1-800-799-SAFE will automatically connect a caller to the nearest family violence agency. Georgia has 45 certified family violence shelters and one family violence program, operated by private, nonprofit organizations. They provide 24-hour crisis lines; legal and social service advocacy; children's programs; parenting support and education; emotional support; and community education. All of these agencies also offer emergency safe shelters. All services are free and confidential.
____________________________ Georgia Department of Human Resources
Office of Communications www.dhr.georgia.gov February 2008