Domestic violence crimes are rarely reported, even though they are the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44. Not only are these crimes extremely harmful, they often occur more than once. A woman who experiences one instance of domestic violence is twice as likely to be a victim again over a two-year period. Furthermore, abuse is not always physical; it can be verbal or mental, and take the form of threats, isolation, or forced sex.
These forms of violence against women are not often reported; it is estimated that only ¼ of all physical assaults, 1/5 of all rates, and ½ of all stalkings perpetuated against females by intimate partners are reported to the police.