Empowering women to live healthier lives!
Call Us! 800-994-9662
Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. (EST)
Text size
Email
Print
Violence
Violence affects women of all backgrounds and ages. Violence can have terrible and costly results for everyone involved, including families, communities, and society. Violence can take many forms, including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual assault and abuse, dating violence, and elder abuse. Learn more about the different types of violence in our violence against women section.
According to the National Violence Against Women survey, almost 1 in 3 African-American females has been subject to intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence includes rape, physical assault, or stalking.
If you have been hurt by someone, keep in mind, it is not your fault. You did not cause the abuse to occur, and you are not responsible for the violent behavior of someone else.
If you're a victim of abuse or violence at the hands of someone you know or love, or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone. To get immediate help and support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673. You can also visit the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.
Internet safety and abusive relationships
An abuser may be able to check your computer to see e-mails you sent and websites you visited. If you are concerned, try to use a friend’s computer or one at your local library. Learn more about technology and your safety.
Human Trafficking
Slavery. Many people think it's something from a history book. But modern-day slavery — human trafficking — is happening every day around the world and in the United States. In fact, about 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year. U.S. victims are mostly women and girls from Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa.
If you are a victim, know someone who is a victim, or know of a person(s) or operation you think may be involved in trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-3737-888. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center can help with calls from all regions of the United States. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
More information on violence
Read more from womenshealth.gov
-
Violence Against Women — Too many women suffer violence at the hands of someone close to them. This Web page provides abused women and their loved ones with resources and information they can use to get help. It also gives information about different types of abuse, including domestic violence, sexual abuse and assault, dating violence, and elder abuse.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence-against-women/
Explore other publications and websites
-
Are You Being Abused? (Copyright © American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) — This simple 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/About_ACOG/ACOG_Departments/Violence_Against_Women/Are_you_Being_Abused
-
Domestic Violence: Protecting Yourself and Your Children (Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians) — This publication provides information on how to protect yourself and your children from domestic violence, where to go to get help, and other important facts you should know about domestic violence.
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/safety/crisis/052.html
-
Sexual Violence Awareness Fact Sheet — African-American/Black Women (Copyright © Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance) — This brochure discusses stereotypes, racism, and barriers surrounding sexual violence against African-American women. It also provides a list of resources.
http://www.vadv.org/secPublications/svfsaa.pdf
-
State Sexual Assault Coalitions — This publication offers a list of addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers of coalitions across the country that help with sexual assault.
http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/statedomestic.htm
-
Understanding Intimate Partner Violence — This fact sheet provides information on the number of women who experience intimate partner violence, common behaviors of an abuser, and the effects abuse has on individuals and society.
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/IPV_factsheet-a.pdf
-
Understanding Sexual Violence — This fact sheet discusses the prevalence and incidence of sexual violence, risk factors, and consequences. It also provides some strategies to help prevent sexual violence.
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/SV_factsheet-a.pdf
Connect with other organizations
-
Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community
http://www.dvinstitute.org/
-
National Center for Victims of Crime
http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=dash_Home
-
National Domestic Violence Hotline
http://www.thehotline.org/
-
Office of Minority Health, HHS
http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/
-
Office on Violence Against Women, DOJ
http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/
-
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
http://www.rainn.org/
Content last updated May 18, 2010.
Resources last updated May 18, 2010.
A federal government website managed by the Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.200 Independence Avenue, S.W. • Washington, DC 20201
202-690-7650 • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST (closed on federal holidays).
womenshealth.gov
A federal government website managed by the Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
200 Independence Avenue, S.W. • Washington, DC 20201