Divorce and Abuse in the U.S.: Key Statistics and Trends

Divorce and Abuse in the U.S.: Key Statistics and Trends

National Statistics on Abuse-Related Divorce

Recent research and surveys consistently show that a significant share of U.S. divorces involve domestic abuse (physical, emotional, or psychological) as a contributing factor. Key findings include:

(Note: National divorce statistics by “cause” are based on surveys and research studies. Most U.S. states have no-fault divorce laws and do not require an official reason to be recorded, so we rely on studies asking divorced individuals why their marriages ended.)* (Does Domestic Violence Cause Divorce? – Teen Dating Violence Awareness) ( Reasons for Divorce and Recollections of Premarital Intervention: Implications for Improving Relationship Education – PMC )

 

State-by-State and Regional Trends

Detailed state-by-state data on divorce causes are limited because many divorces are filed under general “irreconcilable differences.” However, available evidence suggests some regional patterns and noteworthy state data:

(Note: The variability by state is influenced by both cultural factors (prevalence of domestic violence, attitudes toward divorce) and legal factors (ease of obtaining divorce for abuse). Because most states don’t track the “cause of divorce” in statistics, regional insights are drawn from surveys, academic research, and specific state reports.)*

Breakdown by Type of Abuse Cited in Divorces

“Abuse” in the context of divorce can encompass physical violence, emotional/psychological abuse, and sometimes sexual or financial abuse. These often overlap, but divorce research and laws typically group them under domestic violence or cruelty. Here’s what we know about the types of abuse leading to divorce:

In summary, roughly 20–25% of U.S. divorces in recent years have had domestic abuse as a core issue, according to multiple sources ( Reasons for Divorce and Recollections of Premarital Intervention: Implications for Improving Relationship Education – PMC ) (The Most Common Reasons for Divorce, Ranked – Business Insider). This range includes cases of physical violence, as well as severe emotional or psychological abuse (often a combination of both). While national data is clear that abuse is a factor in about a quarter of divorces, obtaining precise percentages by state is challenging. No-fault divorce laws mean most states don’t record the reason for each split. Still, regional surveys and related data on domestic violence suggest that abuse-related divorce is a nationwide concern. States like Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Alaska – which have some of the highest domestic violence rates – likely see a higher proportion of divorces due to abuse. In contrast, states with lower DV incidence see slightly fewer (but still significant) cases (In Which State Is Domestic Violence Most Common?) (Domestic Violence Statistics: A Comprehensive Investigation). Ultimately, whether the timeframe is the past five years or the past decade, the narrative is consistent: domestic abuse (physical or mental) remains one of the leading causes of divorce in the U.S., second only to issues like infidelity and lack of commitment (Does Domestic Violence Cause Divorce? – Teen Dating Violence Awareness) ( Reasons for Divorce and Recollections of Premarital Intervention: Implications for Improving Relationship Education – PMC ).

Sources: Government and academic studies on divorce reasons; national surveys of divorced couples; state court reports; and data from domestic violence coalitions. For example, the National Center for Health Statistics and CDC provide overall divorce rates. At the same time, research by the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence highlights how frequently abuse victims seek divorce (Abuse is the most common reason for divorce, survey reports | Hill Macdonald, LLC) (Divorce Statistics 2025: Everything You Need To Know). Academic studies (e.g., by Scott et al., cited in Journal of Family Psychology) give detailed breakdowns of divorce causes, showing the share attributable to physical and emotional abuse ( Reasons for Divorce and Recollections of Premarital Intervention: Implications for Improving Relationship Education – PMC ). State-specific insights (Mississippi courts, etc.) and regional DV prevalence data (Domestic Violence Statistics: A Comprehensive Investigation) (Domestic Violence Statistics: A Comprehensive Investigation) help complete the picture of how abuse and divorce intersect across the country.

This data is based on a synthesis of multiple studies and surveys rather than a single report. Here’s a list of the types of sources that were incorporated into that synthesis:

  1. National Surveys on Divorce and Domestic Violence:
    • Surveys such as the Divorce360/GfK Roper survey have historically collected data on why individuals cite abuse or domestic violence as a reason for divorce.
    • Additional surveys and polls that assess the “final straw” or primary reasons for divorce often include questions about domestic abuse.
  2. Academic Studies:
    • Research published in academic journals like the Journal of Family Psychology (for example, studies by researchers such as Scott and colleagues) has examined the long-term effects of domestic violence on marital dissolution and the prevalence of abuse-related divorces.
    • Longitudinal studies tracking couples over multiple years have provided estimates of the percentage of divorces influenced by domestic violence or abuse.
  3. Government and Public Health Data:
    • Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Health Statistics offer broader data on domestic violence prevalence, which is used as a proxy when discussing its impact on divorce.
    • Some state-level reports or court data (e.g., data from states like Mississippi that record fault-based divorce reasons) give insight into how often abuse is explicitly cited as the cause.
  4. Domestic Violence and Advocacy Organizations:
    • Organizations such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide statistics and research findings regarding domestic violence and its broader societal impact, including its role in divorce.
  5. State-Specific Data:
    • In a few cases, states that maintain records on fault-based divorces or have made legislative changes to better document abuse as a cause for divorce (e.g., Mississippi) have published data that helps break down regional trends.

Because much of the data comes from aggregated reports and survey results—and because many divorce filings are processed under no-fault laws without an official “cause” recorded—the exact percentages can vary between sources and methodologies.

HB 315: A Dangerous Trap for Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Urgent Need for Survivor Protections in HB 315


https://zontausa.org/us-domestic-violence-statistics-by-state/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10087196/
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/domestic-violence-by-state

 

Urgent Need for Survivor Protections in HB 315

The Urgent Need for Survivor Protections in HB 315

As an organization dedicated to the safety and empowerment of survivors of intimate partner violence and human trafficking, Operation Safe Escape strongly urges the Tennessee legislature to reconsider the dangerous implications of HB 315, the Tennessee Covenant Marriage Act. While the bill’s stated intent may be to reinforce the institution of marriage, its provisions create serious and life-threatening risks for survivors of domestic abuse.

Domestic violence is not limited to physical or sexual abuse—it encompasses a wide range of coercive tactics, including psychological manipulation, financial control, and emotional abuse. HB 315, as currently written, fails to recognize these realities and instead imposes severe restrictions on divorce, mandates counseling even in abusive situations, and lacks critical safeguards to prevent survivors from being coerced into restrictive marital agreements. Without significant revisions, this bill will effectively trap survivors in dangerous relationships, deepen their dependence on abusers, and increase the risk of serious harm or even death.

To ensure that HB 315 does not become a tool for abusers, we urge lawmakers to incorporate the following critical protections into the bill. These revisions will help mitigate the risk of survivors being forced into or remaining in abusive marriages without viable options for escape.

1. Expand the Definition of Abuse in the Bill

  • Current Concern: HB 315 narrowly defines abuse as only physical or sexual violence, ignoring psychological, emotional, financial, and coercive control tactics.
  • Suggested Action: The bill should be amended to recognize a broader definition of abuse, including coercive control, financial abuse, and emotional abuse, in alignment with modern domestic violence laws and research.

2. Explicitly Prohibit Mandated Counseling in Abuse Cases

  • Current Concern: Joint counseling is often weaponized by abusers and can further endanger survivors.
  • Suggested Action: The bill should include an explicit exemption for survivors of domestic abuse, ensuring that they are not forced into counseling with their abuser.

3. Ensure Survivors Can Exit Covenant Marriages Without Excessive Legal Barriers

  • Current Concern: The bill’s restrictive divorce provisions could trap survivors in abusive marriages.
  • Suggested Action: Survivors of any form of abuse, including coercive control, stalking, and financial manipulation, should have the right to dissolve the marriage without additional hurdles, such as waiting periods or court-ordered counseling.

4. Strengthen Protections Against Coerced Entry Into Covenant Marriages

  • Current Concern: Abusers often control financial and legal decisions, coercing survivors into restrictive agreements.
  • Suggested Action: Require independent, informed consent measures before entering a covenant marriage, including:
    • A mandatory screening process to assess coercion.
    • Separate legal counsel (paid for by the state if necessary) to ensure both parties are making an informed decision.
    • An opt-out period (e.g., 30 days) where one party can void the agreement without the other’s consent.

5. Include Economic Protections for Survivors

  • Current Concern: Restricting divorce may deepen financial abuse, leaving survivors trapped.
  • Suggested Action: Include emergency financial relief options for survivors seeking divorce, such as:
    • Waived court fees for survivors filing for divorce.
    • Temporary financial assistance programs.
    • Legal aid access to help survivors navigate the system.

6. Add Protections for Survivors Seeking Restraining Orders

  • Current Concern: Abusers may use the restrictive marriage framework to challenge or delay restraining orders.
  • Suggested Action: Ensure that protective orders supersede any covenant marriage restrictions, allowing survivors to legally separate and receive necessary protection immediately.

Protecting Survivors and Strengthening Justice

Any legislation concerning marriage and divorce must prioritize the safety and autonomy of all individuals, especially those at risk of domestic violence. Without the proposed amendments, HB 315 will do more harm than good, creating legal barriers that will disproportionately impact survivors—individuals who already face enormous hurdles when trying to leave an abusive relationship.

Tennessee has the opportunity to lead with compassion and justice, ensuring that no survivor is trapped in a legally sanctioned cycle of abuse. We urge lawmakers to revise HB 315 to reflect modern understandings of domestic violence, acknowledge the risks of coercion, and provide survivors with the legal pathways necessary to secure their safety and independence.

Domestic violence should never be excused, minimized, or legislated into permanence. We stand ready to assist in shaping policies that truly protect survivors and would welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns further. Thank you for your time and commitment to ensuring that Tennessee remains a state that prioritizes the safety and well-being of its most vulnerable residents.

HB 315: A Dangerous Trap for Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Facts and Statistics

https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/domestic-violence

https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/what-is-domestic-abuse

 

 

HB 315: A Dangerous Trap for Survivors of Domestic Abuse

ose - HB 315 - two newlyweds facing away from cameraLegislation should protect and empower survivors of domestic violence, not trap them in dangerous situations. Unfortunately, HB 315 – The Tennessee Covenant Marriage Act does just that. This bill, under the guise of strengthening marriage, imposes severe restrictions on divorce and mandates counseling, even for survivors of abuse—potentially forcing them into harmful interactions with their abusers.

Operation Safe Escape has formally urged the Tennessee House Children & Families Subcommittee to reject HB 315, highlighting how its provisions fail to account for coercion, financial abuse, and psychological control, which are common tactics used by abusers. The bill limits the definition of abuse to only physical and sexual violence, ignoring the broader reality of domestic abuse. Moreover, its restrictive divorce requirements would make it nearly impossible for many survivors to legally escape.

Survivors of intimate partner violence already face overwhelming barriers when trying to leave an abusive relationship. Adding more legal roadblocks, as HB 315 does, increases their risk of further harm, prolonged economic dependence, and even fatal violence. Restricting divorce and failing to recognize the complexities of abuse endangers lives.

We are calling on Tennessee legislators to reject HB 315 in its current form and instead focus on policies that provide real protection and pathways to safety for survivors. Lawmakers must ensure that any marriage-related legislation considers the realities of domestic violence, coercion, and financial control—not just physical harm.

To read our full letter to legislators, including specific concerns and recommendations, continue below. Survivors deserve safety, not more barriers.

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