Intimate Partner Violence declines

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports that the intimate partner violence rate has declined since 1993. (Thanks, VAWA!)

In 1993 nonfatal intimate partner violence was 5.8 victimizations per 1,000 U.S. residents 12 years old and older. By 2004 this rate had fallen to 2.6 victimizations per 1,000 individuals.
…The number of intimate partner homicide victims has declined since 1993, with greater declines seen for male victims. During 1993, the number of females murdered by intimates was 1,571, compared to 1,159 during 2004 — a 26 percent decline. The number of males murdered by partners during 1993 was 698, compared to 385 — a 45 percent decline.

Of course, it’s not all good news. Some demographic groups saw an increase in violence, and some women are more at risk than others.

During that period [2003-2004] the rate of non-fatal intimate partner violence among black females increased from 3.8 to 6.6 victimizations per 1,000 females aged 12 and older.
…The average annual rate of non-fatal intimate partner violence from 1993 to 2004 was highest for American Indian and Alaskan Native females at 18.2 victimizations per 1,000 females aged 12 and older. The risks also varied by age group. Females 20 to 24 years old were at the highest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.

You can check out the full report here.