Shocking statistics have emerged about the rate of women affected by domestic violence across the world.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than one third of all women are victims of domestic violence with Asia being the worst affected.

In high income countries including Australia the figure is almost one in four.

By gathering figures provided by 81 countries, WHO has found rates of abuse against women which the organisation describes as a “shocking phenomenon”.

“These to me are shocking statistics,” Flavia Bustreo, heads WHO family, women’s and children’s health division.

“It’s also shocking that this phenomenon cuts across the entire world.”

Asia was found to have the highest prevalence of domestic abuse, where data from Bangladesh, East Timor, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand where 37.7 per cent of women were affected.

The Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa were almost as bad where prevalence averaged 37 and 36.6 per cent respectively.

The study also linked rates of violence to impacts on women’s health, the report saying violence leaves scars long after bruises disappear and broken bones heal.

“These data really show the tremendous toll violence has on the health of women,” said Claudia Garcia-Moren, a WHO specialist on gender, reproductive rights, sexual health and adolescence.

Women who experienced abuse were found to be far more likely to contract a range of sexually transmitted diseases and were twice as likely to suffer from depression and develop an alcohol problem compared to those who did not have a violent partner.

Children of abusive relationships were also found to suffer, being more likely to become abusers or victims in adulthood.

Women who suffered abuse were more likely to have an unwanted pregnancy, an abortion, or an underweight baby.

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