DID YOU KNOW ...

• Almost four million American women were physically abused by their husbands or boyfriends in the last year alone.
• A woman is physically abused every nine seconds in this country.
• Two-thirds of attacks on women are committed by someone the victim knows - often a husband or boyfriend.
• Women are more often victims of domestic violence than victims of burglary, mugging, or other physical crimes combined.
• More than one in three Americans have witnessed an incident of domestic violence. Nearly nine out of ten Americans say that women being beaten is a serious problem facing many families - and cuts across race, gender, socio-economic and age lines.
• Forty-two percent of murdered women are killed by their intimate male partners.
• Men are also victims of domestic violence.
• Children are the most helpless victims of domestic violence.
• Domestic violence affects all of us, in one way or another.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used by one individual intended to exert power and control over another individual in the context of an intimate relationship. It involves not only hitting or pushing, but includes sexual, psychological or emotional abuse as well. You may be a victim even if you have no physical injuries. Domestic violence crosses all social, economic and cultural boundaries. ABUSE DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE.

The Suffolk Commonwealth's Attorney's Office's Reduction in Domestic (R.I.D.) Violence Program officially began on June 4, 1998. Every year the number of victims assisted increases because of the concerted efforts of our prosecutor, law enforcement and other agencies that assist the victims of domestic violence. Prior to June 4, 1998, a victim of a misdemeanor domestic violence case was forced to appear in court against the defendant and his/her lawyer without the benefit of an attorney, victim/witness assistance or a referral source to other agencies that could assist her/him. Since this program's inception, literally thousands of domestic violence victims have been assisted by this office.

The prosecutor not only prosecutes domestic violence cases, but also conducts training throughout the state and coordinates a citywide task force. The prosecutor and the program have received local, regional and national acclaim for these efforts. The bulk of the funding is provided through a state grant, yet 100% of the services are going to the citizens of Suffolk.