Violence Against Women

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Violence and abuse affect all kinds of people every day. It doesn't matter what race or culture you come from, how much money you have, how old you are, or if you have a disability. Violence does not discriminate.

Abuse can be physical, mental, and emotional. Violence against women in any form is a crime, whether the abuser is a family member; someone you date; a current or past spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend; an acquaintance; or a stranger. You are not at fault. You did not cause the abuse to occur. If you or someone you know has been sexually, physically, or emotionally abused, seek help from other family members and friends or community organizations. Talk with a health care provider, especially if you have been physically hurt. Learn how to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse before you find yourself in an uncomfortable or threatening situation. One important part of getting help is knowing if you are in an abusive relationship. Sometimes it can be hard to admit that you are in an abusive relationship. But, there are clear signs to help you know if you are being abused.

This specialty page will provide you with information on all types of violence against women, including specific resources and information on how to get help.

In the News

• HIV and Violence Against Women: A National Conference - August 22, 2009

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   It Won't Happen to Me: Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women (for Those Who Are Concerned About the Issue) — This Web-based course is for anyone concerned about substance abuse-related violence directed at women. It is for people interested in preventing and stopping violence against women. This course discusses substance abuse, violence against women, the connection between the two, signs and symptoms, myths, how to see if a problem exists, as well as prevention, treatment and legal options.

   http://pathwayscourses.samhsa.gov/vawc/vawc_intro_pg1.htm

2. Are You Being Abused? (Copyright © American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) — This simple true-false quiz helps victims and those who care about them identify the signs of abuse. It encourages victims to seek assistance and gives phone numbers to call for help.

   http://www.acog.org/from_home/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=17&bulletin=198

3. Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence (Copyright © Family Violence Prevention Fund) — Immigrant women can face unique challenges in regards to domestic violence and abuse. This fact sheet sets the record straight on common misconceptions about violence against immigrant women and outlines all the different tactics that abusers may use.

   http://www.endabuse.org/content/features/detail/778/

4. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Violence Against Women Webpage — This web page provides a list of domestic violence resources as well as their recommendation to physicians about intimate partner violence screening tools.

   http://www.acog.org/from_home/departments/dept_web.cfm?recno=17

5. VictimLaw (Copyright © National Center for Victims of Crime) — VictimLaw has been designed as a comprehensive, user-friendly, online database of victims' rights statutes, tribal laws, constitutional amendments, court rules, administrative code provisions, and case summaries of related court decisions that meets the needs of a wide variety of users with different levels of substantive and technological expertise. Such ready access to information can advance the cause of crime victims' rights by facilitating the exercise, implementation, and enforcement of those rights.

   http://www.victimlaw.info

Organizations

1.   Choose Respect, HHS, CDC
2.   Office for Victims of Crime
3.   Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice
4. HelpGuide.org
5. National Center for Victims of Crime
6. National Domestic Violence Hotline
7. Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated January 15, 2009.