The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that almost one in four women in the United States will endure severe physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives. When the definition is broadened to include sexual violence and stalking, the figure rises to more than one in three women—approximately 43.5 million.
Early Onset and Lifetime Impact
CDC data also reveal that about 16 million women first experience intimate partner violence before turning 18, and the majority encounter their first abusive relationship before age 25. These early experiences can have lasting physical, emotional, and economic consequences.
Reporting Gap Remains Wide
Despite the prevalence of intimate partner violence, the majority of incidents never reach law‑enforcement. The Bureau of Justice Statistics, using the National Crime Victimization Survey, found that between 2006 and 2015 police were notified in just 56 percent of the estimated 1.3 million non‑fatal domestic‑violence victimizations each year. Because that figure includes violence from family members and other relatives, the reporting rate for intimate‑partner violence specifically is likely at or below that level. In practical terms, roughly one out of every two incidents goes completely unreported.
Why Victims Choose Not to Report
Research from the early 2000s identified the most common reasons women give for not contacting police. Twenty‑two percent said they viewed the incident as a private matter rather than a criminal one. Fourteen percent wanted to protect the offender, and 12 percent feared retaliation. An additional 8 percent believed police would not take effective action.
These reasons reflect a complex calculus involving personal safety, financial dependence, child‑care concerns, and distrust of the criminal‑justice system. Victims often weigh the immediate danger of retaliation against an uncertain legal outcome.
Practical Barriers Beyond Safety
Financial dependence on an abusive partner can leave victims with few options if reporting leads to loss of income. Shared housing and children add further complications, especially when victims worry that a police report could affect custody arrangements or trigger retaliation through family‑court channels.
Distrust of law‑enforcement is another documented obstacle. Prior negative experiences—either personal or observed within a community—can shape the belief that police will not provide meaningful protection. This sentiment is especially pronounced in communities with historically strained relationships with authorities.
Pathways to Protection Without Police Involvement
Advocates emphasize that closing the reporting gap requires more than public awareness. Practical resources such as safe housing, financial assistance, and legal protections that do not depend solely on a criminal complaint are essential. For example, protective orders can often be obtained through civil courts, giving victims a legal tool that bypasses the need for police involvement.
WSM Law, a family‑law firm that assists women in divorce and custody matters across several states, notes that many of its clients face simultaneous family‑court and safety concerns. The firm highlights that civil‑court remedies exist for victims who feel unsafe or unwilling to involve law‑enforcement as a first step.
What Can Be Done
Addressing the reporting gap will require coordinated efforts from policymakers, law‑enforcement agencies, and community organizations. Expanding access to emergency shelter, providing financial aid for victims seeking independence, and ensuring that protective orders are readily available through civil channels are concrete steps that can empower women to seek help without fearing further harm.
For anyone experiencing intimate partner violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline remains available 24/7 at 1‑800‑799‑7233 or via thehotline.org.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
