Final answer:
In 93 percent of cases, the abuser is a family member, indicating the widespread issue of domestic and intimate partner violence, which often remain unreported due to various victim-related factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
One study showed that in 93 percent of cases, the abuser is a family member. This stark statistic highlights the reality of domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV), both of which are significant social problems. IPV often includes not just physical but also sexual, emotional abuse, and threats. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it often starts as emotional abuse before escalating. Moreover, abuse, in general, tends to be underreported. Victims may wait years before reporting abuse for the first time, and third-party reports can fail to confirm the instances of abuse when victims are reluctant to acknowledge it.
When considering abuse against the elderly, it is most often perpetrated by spouses or caregivers. This emphasizes the importance of awareness and vigilance from all members of society, including professionals such as teachers, social services staff, and law enforcement personnel, who report a significant portion of child abuse cases.