The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). CONNECT believes acknowledging, exploring, learning, and discussing the intersections of domestic violence is crucial to prevention and intervention work. In honor of SAAM, we share five important statistics regarding the intersection of domestic violence and sexual assault:

1. Intimate partner sexual assault is more likely than stranger or acquaintance assault to cause physical injury.

2. Between 40% and 45% of women in abusive relationships are also sexually assaulted by the abuser.

3. Women who are sexually abused by intimate partners report more risk factors for intimate partner homicides than women who are not sexually abused.

4. Between 10% and 14% of married women are raped during their marriages.

5. 18% of female victims of marital rape say their children witnessed the crime.

It is CONNECT’s hope that by building the capacity of people and organizations to understand the root causes and intersections of interpersonal violence, we can:
• help develop culturally appropriate responses to the needs of victims/survivors and their families, and
• help transform the culture of violence into one that makes possible and supports safe families and peaceful communities.

If you would like to get involved with CONNECT, contact us or consider making a donation to support our important work. Additionally, there are other ways you can get involved.

Source: Quick Guide: Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), https://ncadv.org/blog/posts/quick-guide-domestic-violence-and-sexual-abuse