Every minute in the United States, twenty people are abused by an intimate partner. That adds up to more than ten million men and women every year.
And it effects more than just the homefront, a recent survey of American employees found that 44% of full-time employed adults personally experienced domestic violence’s effect in their workplaces, and 21% identified themselves as victims of intimate partner violence. Nearly 8 million days of paid work each year is lost due to domestic violence issues. That’s the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs.
In a 2012 study, many people don’t seek assistance because they weigh relational benefits against the costs of separation or assistance. Often, financial concerns are a superseding factor whether a victim with seek help.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And there are many resources available at little to no cost to assist victims and their loved ones.
The Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco, for example, offers free and low-cost legal services to those in need. If you or someone you know needs legal assistance for domestic violence issues, check out the Family Law Project.