Facts and Statistics
National Statistics
- 1 in 5 teens that have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.
- 1 in 3 girls who have been in a serious relationship say they’ve been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner.
- 1 in 4 teens who have been in a serious relationship say that a boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner.
- 1 in 3 girls between the ages of 16 and 18 say sex is expected for people their age in a relationship; half of teen girls who have experienced sexual pressure report they are afraid the relationship would end if they did not give in.
- Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship (23%): reported going further sexually than they wanted to as a result of pressure.
State Statistics
- 1 out of every 5 Hispanic Texas females (18%): reported being forced to have sex against their will.
- 40% of Hispanic Texans who reported experiencing at least one form of domestic violence took no action.
- In 2009, 196,713 family violence incidents were reported
- In 2009, 111 were women killed by their intimate partner
Local Statistics
- In 2008-2009, the Center Against Family Violence Emergency Shelter housed:
- 551 females and 273 males
- 525 residents between the ages of 0-17
- 299 residents above the age of 17
- In 2010, 5,512 domestic violence cases where presented to the El Paso District Attorney’s Office
Myths
There are many misconceptions often used by individuals to justify the domestic abuse. Many do not want to believe they are in an abusive relationship or are abusing their partners and use the following statements to rationalize the abusive behavior from their partners or themselves:
- Domestic violence is rare.
- Domestic violence is not a problem in my community.
- Domestic violence only happens to poor women.
- Domestic violence only happens to women of color.
- Some people deserve to be hit.
- Domestic violence is a personal problem between families.
- If it were that bad, they would just leave.
- Alcohol and drug abuse cause domestic violence.
- Domestic violence is only a one time, isolate incident.
- Domestic violence only happens between husband and wife.
- Domestic violence is not a crime.
Help and Resources
Center Against Family Violence
http://www.cafv.org/
915-593-7300
El Paso Police Department
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/police/default.asp
915-832-4400
Texas Council on Family Violence
http://www.tcfv.org/
The Nationals Women Health Information Center
800-994-9662 TDD: 888-220-5446
http://www.womenshealth.gov/
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 1.800.787.3224 (TTY)
http://www.thehotline.org/
The National Abuse Dating Hotline
1-866-331-9474 | 1-866-331-8453 TTY
http://www.loveisrespect.org/
Love Good Bad Ugly (Teen Dating)
http://lovegoodbadugly.com/