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Studies find that domestic violence rates vary by ethnic group

On Behalf of | Jul 24, 2020 | Domestic Violence

Individuals who are in situations of violence being perpetrated by an intimate partner are encouraged to seek help. Counselors and other professionals in this realm understand that each situation is different and requires its own exit strategy. Domestic violence is a subject that has been studied. One of the things that researchers have found is that this act of violence varies by ethnicity.

The University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health studied domestic violence over a five-year period. This study included 1,025 couples that broke down into 406 white, 232 black and 387 Hispanic. One of the conclusions was that white couples had the lowest rate of intimate partner violence. In terms of reported violence, the rates among black and Hispanic couples were two to three times higher.

In 1994, the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics found that the rates for domestic violence per 1,000 that led to an arrest and conviction was 15.6 whites, 20.3 blacks and 18.8 Hispanics. In 2010, the rates were 6.2 whites, 7.8 blacks, and 4.1 Hispanics. This was a significant drop, and the researchers were left wondering if the cases had truly dropped or if individuals were simply reporting at a lower rate. To add context to the numbers, researchers took a look at heavy drinkers and this kind of violence. In 40% of cases, heavy drinking was a catalyst for violence.

Regardless of the ethnicity, domestic violence is not something that is accepted in the United States. Anyone who is suffering from abuse is encouraged to seek help. This includes males. One way to get help is to speak with a legal professional who works in this space. A professional who deals with these kinds of cases may be at least able to offer guidance on possible next steps and exit strategy.