Although more current figures have not been released, we found these dramatic numbers worth sharing.



Intimate Partner Violence (violence committed by a current or former spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, or sex partner against another)is a very expensive crime. Whether or not you physically experience IPV in your life, you will be affected. The Institute for Health & Aging, University of California, San Francisco estimates the cost of intimate partner violence against women in the U.S. in 1995 to be $5.8 billion dollars. The cost inflated to 2003 would make the number even more staggering at $8.3 billion (more recent costs of inflation were not available).

The UC, San Francisco's study found that almost 5. 3 million victims of IPV were treated in 1995. Most injuries resulted from physical assaults, rape and stalking. Private insurance paid an average of 47% of the medical and mental health costs for victims of IPV*. Unfortunately not all victims have insurance. Full details of the study are available at The Center for Injury and Prevention and Control's website.

We are all affected by this crime, and should urge our state and federal legislators to create tougher penalties for Intimate Partner Crimes. Tougher penalties do deter perpetrators. You can easily contact your legislators through www.governmentguide.com Include a reference

to The Center for Injury and Prevention and Control's web page http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/ipvfacts.htm to support your request

for stronger criminal laws. Together, we can make a difference in our communities.

*Sources: NVAWS

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey