Domestic violence and sexual assault study released

Wisconsin residents may wish to know that a study conducted by GfK Public Affairs and Corporate Communications shows overwhelming statistics related to sexual assault and domestic violence issues in the United States. The report was funded by the Avon Foundation for Women in an attempt to find the true numbers of Americans suffering from abuse. The study, titled “No More,” compiled hundreds of survey results from both teens and adults to determine the approximate number of sexual abuse and domestic assault victims.

More than 300 teens and 1,000 adults were surveyed for the study. Twenty-two percent of those who were surveyed reported that they had suffered from domestic violence, while 13 percent announced that they were a victim of sexual assault. The study also announced that 57 percent of Americans who know a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence have not reported the incidents to the police or discussed it with friends and family.

The survey targeted both men and women who have survived these violent acts and others who have learned of friends being victims. Researchers and the Avon Foundation for Women have published the survey with the hope that more victims and their loved ones will come forward to report domestic violence and sexual assault. The foundation is planning on launching a program for workplaces to educate their employees and spread awareness of the issues.

Domestic violence and sexual assault accusations can severely impact divorce and child custody cases. Those who have been wrongly accused of such actions could face extreme losses at the conclusion of their cases, such as the loss of their children or unfair alimony payments. An attorney may be able to conduct a thorough investigation and possibly uncover the whole truth to ensure that a fair outcome is achieved for all parties involved.

Source: CBS News, “Study finds sexual and domestic violence widespread, largely undiscussed“, Alexander Trowbridge, September 23, 2013