Domestic Violence - An Epidemic.

I realize that my blog more often than not discusses trivial matters -- my aggravation with other people, pop culture, history, science, telvision and so on.

Tonight, I want to speak with you directly about something serious. Please, allow me a moment of your time.

Based upon current statistics, one out of every three women has been a victim of domestic violence in some capacity. 29% of all women have been shoved, slapped or pushed by their intimate domestic partner. Approximately 25% of all women have been choked, raped, punched, slammed, beaten or burned. In total, nearly five million women are assaulted every year in the United States. By any reasonable definition, that classifies domestic violence as an epidemic.

Take a look at your female family and friends. Odds are, at least one of them has been or is currently a victim of domestic violence. Even worse, most victims will never openly discuss their abuse.

By age 17, 22% of female domestic violence victims have encountered their first assault by a partner. That number skyrockets to nearly 70% by the time they're age 24. Every nine seconds a woman is beaten. In the length of time it took me to write this article, over 225 women were victimized in the US.

Even worse -- since 2003, over 18,000 women have been murdered by their intimate partner. That's more than double the number of soldier deaths in the Iraq and Afghan Wars combined.

All I ask is that you consider the facts at hand. Domestic violence is a major problem in this country. If you know someone whom is a victim, but they're too afraid to come forward, be supportive of their situation and listen. Be there when they need help the most. Show them that there is always a way out of their predicament.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, I ask that you please seek out help. Your life is important. You do not deserve whatever form of abuse you are currently receiving. No one has the right to abuse you. You are NOT a victim.

I saw what domestic violence did to my own family. There's nothing more terrifying than seeing your own mother being struck by your father. Even worse... the cycle of terror is compounded when domestic violence spills over into child abuse. I speak from experience. Domestic violence is one of the few things in this world that I take a zero tolerance position on. There is never an excuse for raising your hand to a loved one. Never.

If you need help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or visit them at www.thehotline.org. 

Do not wait a moment more. Your life depends on it.