{"id":9863,"date":"2022-10-12T10:25:41","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T14:25:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/?p=9863"},"modified":"2025-06-10T13:54:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T17:54:54","slug":"domestic-violence-guns-and-children-facts-and-stats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/programs\/domestic-violence-survivors-children-guns-facts-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Domestic Violence, Guns, and Children: Facts and Statistics"},"content":{"rendered":"

October 2022<\/em><\/p>\n

The facts and stats around domestic violence and gun violence are clear: When someone who is abusive has access to a gun, victims and their children are in serious and immediate danger.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we are shining a light on the intersection between gun violence and domestic violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Please read this blog post to learn how guns dramatically increase the risk of homicide for victims of domestic abuse, how the threat of gun violence impacts children, why guns in the home go underreported, and critically, how survivors can get help.<\/p>\n

Statistics: How domestic violence survivors experience guns violence<\/h2>\n

\"Domestic<\/p>\n

People causing harm do many things to control domestic violence survivors and anyone involved in the abusive relationship. Guns are a serious threat on their own and when an abuser has access to a gun, domestic violence survivors are at much greater risk. According to the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) July 2003 via Everytown<\/a>, domestic violence victims are five times more likely to be killed when guns are in reach.<\/p>\n

\"Guns<\/p>\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics data compiled by Everytown: The Impact of Gun Violence on Children and Teens,<\/a> guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens. Nearly 3 in 4 children and teens killed in mass shootings died in an incident connected to domestic violence. (Everytown: Mass Shootings in America<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Gun violence does not have to be fatal to cause harm. Children living in homes where domestic violence is present are exposed to, or experience, higher rates of physical and sexual assault. (DOJ, OJP<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Facts: How guns are used to abuse domestic violence survivors and children<\/h2>\n

Guns put survivors’ lives in more danger.<\/strong><\/p>\n