Women's Health
MFH developed the Women's Health funding program to address the health behavior, prevention, and treatment needs of more than half of the state's population.
In 2009, MFH funding supports efforts to prevent intimate partner and sexual violence against women as well as assure access to health services for affected women. In coming years, MFH will address other areas of interest in women's health.
Women's Health Information
GOALS
The goals for Women's Health are to: 1) encourage healthy behaviors, 2) meet the need for services, and 3) contribute to creating healthier communities.
WHAT IS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN?
In 2005,MFH is using a definition adopted by the World Health Organization in 1993. This definition includes physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring both in the family and the general community. Examples of this violence include:
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battering,
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rape,
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non-spousal violence, and
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sexual harassment and intimidation at work, school or elsewhere.
Violence against women has numerous physical and psychological affects such as broken bones, pregnancy difficulties, depression, and behavioral effects including high-risk sexual behaviors and substance abuse.
MISSOURI STATISTICS FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
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Missouri ranks 15th in the nation for instances of women killed by men.
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According to the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, 1 in 7 women in Missouri have been sexually abused.
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In 2007, Missouri law enforcement agencies reported 37,215 intimate partner violence (IPV) incidents and 1,714 rape offenses by acquaintances and strangers.
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Fewer than half of Missouri's counties have domestic or sexual violence programs operating within their borders.