Domestic violence and sexual assault in the state of Georgia

Fact Sheet

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the State of Georgia

Domestic Violence

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Georgia Statistics
1. In the state of Georgia, domestic violence continues to be one of the leading causes of injuries for women and girls between the ages of 15 and 44 years.
2. In 2008 7,762 victims and their children were provided shelter in a domestic violence shelter.
3. A total of 58,420 family violence incidents were reported in 2008.
4. Domestic Violence and Children: More than half of female victims of intimate partner violence live in homes with children who are under the age of 12 years. Each year, between 3.3 and 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence. Witnessing domestic violence between parents or guardians is the strongest risk factor for transmitting violent behavior in the future. Exposure to family violence has been linked with increased depression, anxiety, anger, substance use, and poor academic achievement. 75% of battered women report that their children are also physically and/or sexually abused. Children in homes with family violence are abused and neglected at a rate 1500% higher than the national average.

National Statistics
1. The State of Georgia ranks 14th in the country for female homicide rates where men kill women in single-victim homicides. Many of these homicides are due to domestic violence.
2. National Domestic Violence Numbers: One in every 4 women will experience domestic violence at some point in her life. Every day in the U.S., more than 3 women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends. Homicide due to domestic violence is the leading cause of death for pregnant women. Among teens engaged in serious relationships, 1 in 5 reports having been slapped, hit, or pushed by a partner.

Domestic violence constitutes the
willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault or other abusive
behavior perpetrated by family member, household member, or intimate partner against another

Family Violence

June 2010

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Sexual Assault
1. Between October of 2004 and September of 2005, a total of 3,969 victims of sexual assault and attempted sexual assault were served by programs funded by the state of Georgia. It was found that among these victims: 84% knew their assailant 45% were between the ages of 12 and 24 years 25% were assaulted in their own home
2. The cost of one rape averages more than $60,000 in terms of lost wages and fees for medical and psychological treatment.
3. One in six women in the state of Georgia between the ages of 15 and 44 years has been forced to have sex against their will at least once in their lifetime. There were 2,236 rapes reported in 2008. Of the total number of reported rapes, there were only 422 arrests made.
4. The Georgia Sexual Assault Survey for year 2000 revealed: 72% knew their attacker 1. 54% reported the attacker as an "Acquaintance" 2. 23% reported the attacker as "Family" 3. 14% reported the attacker as a "Spouse/Boyfriend" Profile of the Incidents: 1. 45% occurred at the victim's home 2. 43% involved the attacker drinking and/or using drugs 3. 42% involved the use of a weapon 4. 26% involved multiple attackers
5. National Sexual Assault Numbers: One in 6 women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape. Only 39% of all rapes and sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement. 44% of rape victims are under the age of 18, and 80% are under the age of 30. 82% of rape victims knew their attacker. 20-25% of women attending college reported experiencing an attempted or completed rape while in college. Among high school students: 10.8% of high school girls and 4.2% of high school boys were forced to have sex at some time in their lives.
Sexual assault is sexual act upon or directed to another which is
unwanted or not consented to by another

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