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National Survey Shows Domestic Violence on the Rise

Posted on May 18, 2011 by phavens

Because our mission is to break the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence it’s important that we stay abreast of trends on all fronts. Recently The Mary Kay Foundation released results from a survey they conducted about domestic violence that we wanted to pass along. In a press release this week the Mary Kay Foundation shared that across the United States, shelters reported domestic violence increased for the third straight year and government cutbacks decreased shelters’ ability to help survivors.  In addition, the abuse occuring is reportedly more severe, victims are struggling to find jobs and shelters expect the situation will only get worse in light of the economy.

More than 670 domestic violence shelters across the country were surveyed in March 2011.  Detailed findings from the “Mary Kay Truth About Abuse” survey reveal unfortunate trends, including:

• 80 percent of domestic violence shelters nationwide (more than three out of four) report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse.
• 73 percent of shelters attribute this rise in abuse to financial issues.
• 48 percent of shelters link this increase in domestic violence to job loss.
• 89 percent of domestic violence shelters expect their overall situation during the next 12 months will be worse than now, or the same as now, due to the economy.
• 76 percent of domestic violence shelters (three out of four) indicate their funding has decreased the most from governmental organizations.
• 65 percent of women in shelters can’t find employment due to the economy.
• 56 percent of shelters note the abuse is more violent now than before the economic downturn.
• 77 percent of shelters (more than three-fourths) indicate their clients stayed longer in their relationships due to the state of the economy.

Unfortunately here at Rainbow Village we witness the aftermath of domestic violence all too often. As families seek to flee abusive relationships they turn to us for help to craft a new life that is safe and secure. This survey reinforces that the work we do is so vitally important to so many.