ntage of women experiencing dating violence, including sexual assault, physical violence, or verbal and emotional abuse, ranges as high asThe precise incidence of domestic violence in America is difficult to determine for several reasons: It often goes unreported, even on surveys; there is no nationwide organization that gathers information from local police departments about the number of substantiated reports and calls; and there is disagreement about what needs to be included in the definition of domestic violence. "One study estimated that more than 3% (approximately 1.8 million) of women were severely assaulted over the course of a year, while other studies indicate the percentage of women experiencing dating violence, including sexual assault, physical violence, or verbal and emotional abuse, ranges as high as rveys; there is no nationwide organization that gathers information from local police departments about the number of substantiated reports and calls; and there is disagreement about what needs to be included in the definition of domestic violence. "One study estimated that more than 3% (approximately 1.8 million) of women were severely assaulted over the course of a year, while other studies indicate the percentage of women experiencing dating violence, including sexual assault, physical violence, or verbal and emotional abuse, ranges as high ass and calls; and there is disagreement about what needs to be included in the definition of domestic violence. "One study estimated that more than 3% (approximately 1.8 million) of women were severely assaulted over the course of a year, while other studies indicate the percentage of women experiencing dating violence, including sexual assault, physical violence, or verbal and emotional abuse, ranges as high asore than 3% (approximately 1.8 million) of women were severely assaulted over the course of a year, while other studies indicate the percentage of women experiencing dating violence, including sexual assault, physical violence, or verbal and emotional abuse, ranges as high asntage of women experiencing dating violence, including sexual assault, physical violence, or verbal and emotional abuse, ranges as high as 65%.

Unless a uniform definition and reporting for domestic violence is established, the exact number of survivors will be under reported because survivors don't view their experience as violence. Therein lies the reason many survivors stay in an abusive relationship. The abuse starts at a low level and continues to escalate gradually. The best definition for domestic violence includes not only the behaviors, but the underlying cause.

Domestic Violence or Battering is a pattern of behavior specifically used to establish power and contr