Twenty-Five Years of Decreasing Domestic Violence There seems to be an enormous amount of violent crime occurring in America today. Watching the evening news, one could take stock of the numerous attacks and deaths that are reported. However, violence is not a new phenomenon. From Cain's murder of Abel, to the village massacres suffered, to the atrocities of the Holocaust and the attacks of September 11, 2001, violence is ever-present. The focus of this article is a subset of violence, domestic violence. The social question posed in this article is: has domestic violence increased over the last twenty-five years or is it simply better reported? Although it may seem like a simple question, the answer is quite perplexing. Although there has been a statistical reduction in domestic violence, domestic violence continues to be an epidemic (Montaldo, Vagianos). Domestic violence is rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, or simple assault committed by an offender who is a current or former spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, child, sibling, or other relative (Truman 14 ). In 1990, there were 1,500 shelters for battered women; 2300 less than animal shelters (“Fast”). In the same year, beatings were not included among the prenatal risk factors worthy of surveillance and prevention (Stoto 138). In 1990, between 40% and 60% of emergency calls to the police were, and still are, for domestic violence disputes (“Fast”). According to the 1990 statistical analysis (“Fast”), each year in the United States three to four million women were beaten in their homes by their spouses, ex-spouses, or male lovers. In 1991, in the United States, a woman was beaten by her husband every fifteen seconds (“Fast”). According to 1...... half of the paper ......ure of the abusers, it is still dangerous for the victim to leave the relationship safely (Montaldo, Vagianos). Although support programs have been implemented since 1990, many of them, while helpful and have played a role in the decline of domestic violence, can have a negative impact on the escaping abused individual. There may be fewer reports of domestic violence, but that doesn't mean this country can stop policing domestic violence because it will continue. In America, 74% of people are now either victims of domestic violence (“Fast”). This is an epidemic that will lead the entire nation to recognize and be proactive in its approach to addressing the situation. Whether it is a woman, a man, a child or an elderly person, we as human beings should feel protected or resort to protection even if it comes from those closest to us.