To gain an understanding of the extent of domestic violence within the United States and in Nebraska, consider the following statistics: 

National studies estimate that up to 3.9 million women are abused by their husbands or live in partners each year.(U.S. Department of Justice, Violence by Intimates: Analysis of Data on Crimes by Current or Former Spouse, Boyfriends, and Girlfriends, March 1998 , The Commonwealth Fund, First Comprehensive National Health Survey of American Women, July 1993.)

 Between July 1999 and June 2000, 9,702 victims & survivors received services from the 22 advocacy programs for domestic violence, sexual assault, and incest. This number includes 3,564 children and adolescents.

(1999-2000, Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition, Annual Statistical Report of Nebraska’s Network of Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Programs. The information reflects those who sought services from the 22 advocacy programs, and may not include victims who went to other services, i.e. the police, hospitals.)

Between 1990-1997 there were 195 victims of homicide resulting from domestic violence/sexual assault in Nebraska. Of the 195 victims, 53 were children and adolescents.(Information compiled by Nebraska’s Network of Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault programs, utilizing newspaper/media reports.) 

Researchers estimate that 3.3. to 10 million U.S. children annually witness assaults by one parent against another.

(Ending Violence Against Women: An Agenda For The Nation, National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women, 2000.) 

During fiscal year 1999-2000, battered women who received assistance from Nebraska’s network of domestic violence/sexual assault programs reported that more than 80% of their children witnessed the violence, 12% were being physically abused, and 4% were suspected of being sexually abused.

(Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition, compilation of Annual Statistical Report of Nebraska’s Network of Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Programs.)