Sexual Violence, Intimate Partner Violence and Stalking
Sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking have been identified as major public health problems by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A recent national CDC survey found that:
- In 2010, more than 12 million people were victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner.
- One in five women and one in 71 men have been raped.
- Almost 80 percent of female rape victims were raped before they were 25 years old.
- Almost 28 percent of male rape victims were raped when they were 10 years old or younger.
- One in four women has been the victim of severe physical violence (being kicked, choked, suffocated, beaten or burned) by an intimate partner.
- One in six women and one in 19 men have been stalked.
- Victims of violence were more likely to report physical and mental health problems, including frequent headaches, chronic pain and difficulty sleeping.
Opportunities to Reduce Violence
Experts suggest identifying evidence-based programs in schools and communities, such as Safe Dates and Forth R, which have been proven to prevent and intervene in violent teen dating relationships, precursors to violence in adult relationships.
- In 2007, the Vermont Council on Domestic Violence was created by the legislature to develop statewide domestic abuse prevention and education initiatives, and collect, review and analyze data related to domestic violence.
Prevalence Among Women of Rape, Physical Violence and/or Stalking, by an Intimate Partner, 2010*
*These estimates reflect the proportion of women in a given state population who have been victims of intimate partner violence including rape, physical violence and/or stalking, according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.
Source: National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, 2010.