A 2023 report released by the Wisconsin-based organization, “End Domestic Abuse,” found that domestic violence homicides occurred in 22 Wisconsin counties, and that 85 individuals died at an approximate rate of 1 death every 4.3 days. (7 deaths per month). The victim cases included in this research had an age range of 1 year old to 83 years old (End Domestic Abuse, “Wisconsin Homicide Report,” 2023) (Wisconsin Department of Justice, 2024).

It is important to note that everyone, across age and gender, are vulnerable to domestic abuse. Men, women and children have all been victims and are in need of resources. However, statistically some demographics are shown to suffer from DV at a higher rate than others  (thehotline.org, “Domestic Violence Statistics,”, n.d.). 

According to the Domestic Violence Hotline (n.d.), “Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner.” 

 End Domestic Abuse reported that the average age for perpetrators in 2023 was 38 years old, and the average age for victims was 41 years old. Domestic Violence Hotline confirms that women ages 18 to 34 tend to experience the highest rates of violence from intimate partners. It has also been noted that 78% of the deaths that occurred due to domestic violence in 2023 were due to the use of firearms  (End Domestic Abuse, “Wisconsin Homicide Report,” 2023) (thehotline.org, “Domestic Violence Statistics,”, n.d.). 

The CDC has created a comprehensive list of the individual, social, and relationship risk factors that can increase the likelihood of someone becoming a perpetrator in domestic violence. This can help people to identify potential warning signs within their own, or their children’s relationships and then take appropriate action.

• Low self-esteem
• Low education or income
• Young age
• Aggressive or delinquent behavior as a youth
• Heavy alcohol and drug use
• Depression and suicide attempts
• Anger and hostility
• Lack of nonviolent social problem-solving skills
• Antisocial personality traits and conduct problems
• Poor behavioral control and impulsiveness
• Traits associated with borderline personality disorder
• History of being physically abusive
• Having few friends and being isolated from other people
• Economic stress (e.g., unemployment)
• Emotional dependence and insecurity
• Desire for power and control in relationships
• Hostility towards women
• Attitudes accepting or justifying violence and aggression
• History of physical or emotional abuse in childhood

• Relationship conflicts including jealousy, possessiveness, tension, divorce, or separations
• Dominance and control of the relationship by one partner over the other
• Families experiencing economic stress
• Unhealthy family relationships and interactions
• Association with antisocial and aggressive peers
• Parents with less than a high school education
• Witnessing violence between parents as a child
• History of experiencing poor parenting as a child
• History of experiencing physical discipline as a child

• Communities with high rates of poverty and limited educational and economic opportunities
• Communities with high unemployment rates
• Communities with high rates of violence and crime
• Communities where neighbors don't know or look out for each other and there is low community involvement among residents
• Communities with easy access to drugs and alcohol
• Weak community sanctions against intimate partner violence (e.g., unwillingness of neighbors to intervene in situations where they witness violence)

• Cultural norms that support aggression toward others
• Societal income inequality
• Weak health, educational, economic, and social policies or laws

 How can this create vulnerability to sex trafficking? 

A report by the Sex Trafficking Legal Center, an organisation based in Washington D.C., notes that DV and sex trafficking have been shown to intersect. For example, perpetrators have been arrested on grounds of domestic abuse, and then been found to have forced their victims into sex or labor acts and threatened to physically beat the victim if they refused. Isolation tactics are also often used in both domestic abuse and human trafficking. If a family member is directing the abuse, they can threaten to separate their victim from, or humiliate them within their community and extended family (thelegalcenter.org, “Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence Fact Sheet,” 2018). 

Children who are victims of, or witness domestic violence experience low self-esteem in relation to others, and are more likely to engage in criminal behavior and be at risk for substance abuse, mental illness, and suicide. Children who witness a sexual assault are highly likely to develop PTSD, affecting their future relationships, and young children may even act out the traumatic event during play. (kscourts.gov, “Impact of Domestic Abuse,” n.d.). 

A US government resource, “Office on Women’s Health,” further warns that Boys who witness or are victims of abuse, are 10 times more likely to abuse their partners in the future, and girls who witness or are victims of abuse are 6 times more likely to be sexually abused within personal relationships (womenshealth.gov, “Effects of Domestic Abuse on Children,” 2024).

Pimps/perpetrators may also claim to be, or truly be married to minors that they then have children with. This can be used as an intimidation tactic, in which the mother will engage in sex or labor acts to protect their child, or a manipulation tactic, in which the child-bride is told that their abuser truly loves them, and that they must engage in these acts to gain money or help their perpetrator. The Sex Trafficking Legal Center provides specific case examples in which these tactics were used.

National Domestic Violence Hotline:

 800-799-7233

The CDC has compiled a list of what community members and friends can do if they know someone at risk or suffering from domestic violence (cdc.gov, “Intimate Partner Violence,” n.d.).

• Ensure that victims have access to strong social support networks and stable, positive relationships with others
• Neighborhood collective efficacy, meaning residents feel connected to each other and are involved in the community
• Coordination of resources and services among community agencies
• Communities with access to safe, stable housing
• Communities with access to medical care and mental health services
• Communities with access to economic and financial help