October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.
* 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
* In 2001, 20% of violenct crimes against women was intimate partner violence.
* From 1992 to 2000, 54% of intimate partner violence was reported to police.
* Only 24% of rape or sexual assault was reported.
* Marital rape counts for 25% of all rapes, affection 75,000 women a year.

There are pages upon pages of studies and statistics, including individual state statistics. (Click into the report for your state and blog the resource information, it might be just the help someone reading your blog needs.)

How are we going to end domestic abuse when Americans don't seem to know what it is?
Jeers from Women's e News:

When asked to define what actions comprise domestic violence and abuse, 2 in 5 Americans did not mention hitting, slapping and punching, a Sept. 21 study commissioned by Liz Claiborne Inc. found. Over 90 percent failed to define repeated emotional and verbal abuse, sexual abuse or controlling behaviors as patterns of domestic violence.

Home Sweet Home is a blog dedicated to discussions about crimes that happen within the home. Her Domestic Violence Awareness Month post is here. The stories posted daily are astonishing and apalling.

Abused No More shares an interesting question from one of her readers, "How could mental abuse have happened to me?" Wendy shares a story about a really great guy named Pete.

The National Crime Prevention Council has a blog and they share information about Domestic Violence Month. Spouse Buzz shares resources for military families who may need Domestic Violence assistance.

Here are links where you can find information, support and assistance:

* Family Violence Abuse
* Domestic Violence Awareness Handbook
* National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Don't Make Excuses, Make it Stop

~Denise
Daily Dose of Denise and Fast Times @ Homeschool High

Imaged Credit: Project S.A.R.A.H