Kentucky has a serious problem when it comes to abuse among families, according to the Kentucky Lantern:

Domestic violence drives other violent crime in Kentucky and contributes to criminal recidivism all while draining law enforcement and court resources across the commonwealth, reports the Council of State Governments.

Over the past two years, the council’s Justice Center dug into Kentucky’s domestic violence data. Representatives from the nonpartisan organization presented their wide-ranging findings to the legislature’s Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary Friday. 

David D’Amora, a senior policy advisor at the Justice Center, said Kentucky has a “high prevalence of domestic violence and victimization,” which is a “major driver” of other violent crime. Reducing this crime by 25% could save the state $10 million over five years. 

Kentucky has higher rates of domestic violence than the national average: 48% of Kentucky women will experience intimate partner violence or stalking, compared with 47% nationally. About 52% of men in Kentucky will also experience this, which is higher than the national percentage of 44%, according to the center’s data. 

What’s the problem here? According to these numbers, half of the people in this state are being beaten or abused by their partners.

And a closer look at the statistics show kidnapping and simple assaults are the most prevalent forms of domestic violence, with sexual abuse nearing the 50% mark.

Think about how much this damages families, and think of the children who have to witness these horrors.

Kentuckians need to do better.

The Lantern offers this important advice:

Reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.