2012

Domestic violence can be defined as “a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors used by one person to gain and maintain power and control over the other” (Florida Coalition against Domestic Violence, 2010). According to the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV), approximately 25% of women in the United States will experience domestic violence during their lifetime (FCADV, 2010). Domestic violence is also the leading cause of injury for women in the United States, and the leading cause of death among African American women in the United States. These statistics illustrate the prevalence of those affected by domestic violence in our country. Despite these staggering numbers, limited services are currently available for domestic violence survivors, especially those that help survivors with their long-term needs (FCADV, 2010).