Arkansas Domestic Violence Statistics

One in five women will experience a sexual assault during their lifetime, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. District attorneys across the country are making awareness of domestic violence a top priority. The rates of sexual assault, battery, and other domestic violence crimes vary state by state. Anyone who lives in The Natural State should have a basic understanding of important Arkansas domestic violence statistics.

Domestic Violence Statistics in Arkansas

Intimate partner violence constitutes 15% of all violent crimes. Women aged 18-24 are the most frequent victims, and one in five violent incidents involves the use of a weapon. Victims of domestic violence often suffer from depression and suicidal behavior. In addition, only around one in three victims seek medical treatment for their injuries.

Domestic violence encompasses a wide range of criminal acts that involve people in romantic relationships, family members, and anyone who cohabitates. The economic cost of domestic violence (measured in lost productivity and other factors) is $5.8 billion.

Arkansas holds the tenth position nationwide for its domestic violence rates while ranking fifth for the prevalence of rape incidents across the United States. Nearly 40.8% of women and 34.8% of men in Arkansas endure intimate partner violence at some point in their lives.

One in four women and one in seven men have experienced severe physical violence (such as beatings or strangulation) from an intimate partner during their lifetime. One in seven women and one in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner to the point that they felt their life was in danger.

Each day, domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive over 20,000 calls. This highlights the pervasive nature of the issue. The presence of a firearm in a domestic violence situation escalates the risk of homicide fivefold.

What Can I Do if I’ve Been Charged With Domestic Violence?

If you have been charged with domestic violence, the first thing you should do is to remain calm and cooperative with police. Be mindful of the fact that police or other law enforcement members may try to gather information that incriminates you. Until you have an attorney, the less you say, the better.

If you have not hired an attorney, try to find one who has experience defending people who are facing allegations of domestic violence. There are many legal defense strategies that are unique to domestic violence charges. Your lawyer could look for evidence that shows you were acting in self-defense when the criminal offense allegedly occurred.

If your partner or former partner has a history of saying abusive things to you or committing physical acts of violence, that could change the dynamics of your case. People who are in romantic relationships often have heated arguments. Both parties may do or say things that they later regret.

Domestic violence allegations are sometimes baseless and used to malign someone’s reputation. This is commonly done or attempted during child custody battles. If the allegations are solely based on the victim’s testimony, the prosecution may have a weak case. Any statements made by the victim that are inconsistent or false could help you seek to have the charges dropped.

If prosecutors are unwilling to drop charges, your lawyer can take the matter before a judge or jury to let them decide whether you committed a crime. Given the full context of the relationship and history between the defendant and victim, as well as a strong argument from your lawyer, the jury may be persuaded to find that no crime occurred.

FAQs

Q: What Are the CDC Statistics for Domestic Violence?

A: Based on data from the CDC, 41% of women and 26% of men have encountered contact sexual violence or stalking by an intimate partner. According to the CDC, intimate partner violence can lead to injuries and fatalities. One in five homicide victims is murdered by an intimate partner. Moreover, more than half of female homicide victims are slain by a current or former male intimate partner.

Q: Who Commits the Most Domestic Violence in the US?

A: Men commit 95% of acts of domestic violence. It is important to remember, though, that either gender can be the victim of domestic violence. When women are physically attacked, they are usually in their early to mid-20s. Domestic violence often goes unreported because the victim either fears for their safety or has conflicted feelings about turning in their abuser.

Q: How Can I Have Domestic Violence Charges Dropped in Arkansas?

A: There are several reasons why domestic charges might be dropped in Arkansas. The burden is on prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime in question. By examining the evidence and gathering new evidence, your defense attorney can work to weaken the state’s case. This can be done by questioning how reliable the victim’s testimony is. When abuse occurs on both ends, the criminality of the actions may be called into question.

Q: Which State Has the Highest Domestic Violence Rate?

A: Oklahoma has the highest rate of domestic violence in the country. Approximately 49.1% of women and 40.7% of men endure domestic violence during their lifetimes. These violent acts often include intimate partner rape, physical abuse, and stalking. Oklahoma has consistently appeared on this list for multiple years. Someone dies from domestic violence in Oklahoma every five days.

Q: What Population Is Most at Risk for Domestic Violence?

A: Communities of color face higher rates of domestic violence compared to their white counterparts. Black individuals experience the highest prevalence at approximately 9.2%, followed by Hispanics at 8.6%, American Natives at 8.2%, and non-Hispanic whites at 5.7%.

Schedule Your Domestic Violence Consultation Today

Domestic violence is a serious crime that is aggressively prosecuted in Arkansas. Due to the connections (familial, friendly, or romantic) between victims and defendants, domestic violence cases can result from misunderstandings between the parties or by police. If you were recently arrested for domestic violence, you can rely on the help of a criminal defense attorney to investigate the incident in question.

The lawyers at Lemley Law Partners can work to reduce the penalties you could receive. You should not have to worry about facing the worst-case scenario following an arrest. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.