• vsdvalliance.org - Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
• ndvh.org - National Domestic Violence Hotline
• dvalianza.org - National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence
• malesurvivor.org - Overcoming Sexual Victimization of Boys and Men
• sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov - VA State Police Sex Offender Registry
• rainn.org - Rape and Incest National Network
• http://www.paramihija.com  Viginia Department of Health Spanish Language Resources
• http://www.unifem.org/campaigns/vaw/  - Unifem
• http://www.peacefulfamilies.org/ - Learn about the violence against women in the Muslim culture
• http://www.imow.org/home/index - International Museum of Women

• More than 1 million women are stalked each year in the U.S., and over a quarter of them report missing work as a result of the stalking
• A woman is battered every nine seconds in the U.S.; almost one-third of women are physically or sexually abused in their lifetime by a husband or boyfriend
• One in four girls and one in six boys will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18
• Domestic violence is more than the occasional slap or punch: almost a third of women who visit emergency rooms are there for injuries related to abuse from a partner
• A woman has a 75% greater chance of being murdered if she leaves the violent relationship
• Sexual assault is the most under-reported crime in the world
• 80% percent of women said that they would like their healthcare providers to ask them privately about intimate partner violence

INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE CAN HAVE LONGTERM AFFECTS

• Men who were abused as children are twice as likely to become abusers themselves
• Children who had been exposed to violence are more likely to show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as bed-wetting or nightmares, and more likely to have allergies, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, headaches and flu
   
• Children who have witnessed domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems including depression, anxiety, and violence towards their peers 
• They are also more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes
• Dating violence affects women regardless of their age, but teens are particularly vulnerable.  In fact, young women age 16 to 24 experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence  
   

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COSTS ALL OF US

The costs of intimate partner violence exceed $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health care services much of which is paid for by the employer

The annual cost of lost productivity due to domestic violence is estimated as $727.8 million
with over 7.9 million paid workdays lost each year

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS BEING ABUSED, HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Believe what s/he tells you. It may be especially difficult for the person to speak about what is happening; be patient and listen carefully and actively
• Be sympathetic. Listen without judging or offering advice that is not asked for. Respect and validate his/her feelings even if they seem strange to you
• Respect the confidence of the person. Keep information confidential; tell only those people who are qualified to help.
• Be supportive. Assure the victim that the abuse is not his/her fault. Encourage the person to seek help, and offer to accompany them to the places they need to go