INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE WITHIN SPECIFIC RELIGIOUS GROUPS
Currently, very few studies exist which measure the extent and nature of intimate partner violence (IPV)
within specific religious and spiritual groups. In searching for statistics for the development of this packet,
the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) found statements relevant to IPV within
the Jewish and Muslim faiths. As credible research reports on the extent and nature of IPV within these and
other faiths become available, their findings will be added to the contents of this packet.
Jewish Community
■ An estimate by the organization Jewish Women International indicates that 15 to 25% of all
Jewish households experience domestic violence. This rate is the same among Orthodox,
Conservative, and Reform Jews. [Giller, B. & Goldsmith, E. (1980). All in the Family: A Study
of Intra-familial Violence in the Los Angeles Jewish Community [unpublished masters thesis]. Los
Angeles, CA: Hebrew Union College and University of Southern California.]
■
One out of five Jewish women are abused by their partners a rate that is consistent with that
of the general population. However, the statistics show that Jewish women remain in abusive
relationships five to seven years longer than non-Jewish women. [Hadassah (n.d.). Domestic
Abuse Does Not Discriminate. Retrieved July 2003 from:
]Site Map | Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Org of America
Muslim Community
■ According to estimates by Muslim activists in the United States, approximately
ten percent of
Muslim women are abused emotionally, psychologically, and/or physically by their husbands.[Faizi, N. (2001). Domestic violence in Muslim communities. Texas Journal of Women and the
Law, 10, 209-230.]
link:
http://new.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/NRC_ReligionStatistics.pdf