There were 80,681 domestic violence offenses reported by the police in 1999, a 1-percent decrease from the 81,454 reported in 1998. Murders decreased 11 percent from the previous year; dating relationships accounted for 7 of the 55 domestic violence murders. Assaults accounted for 49 percent (39,474), and harassment accounted for 36 percent of the reported offenses in 1999. Arrests were made in 33 percent of the offenses reported, a decrease of 1 percent from the previous year. The most frequent day for domestic violence occurrences was Sunday (14,475). For the 17th consecutive year, the most frequent hours of domestic violence incidents were between 8:00 p.m. and midnight, when 29 percent of the offenses were reported. Children were involved or present during 35 percent of all domestic violence offenses. Wives were the victims in 23 percent, and ex-wives were the victims in 3 percent of the reported domestic violence offenses in 1999. Overall, females were victims in 78 percent of all domestic violence offenses. The number of domestic violence complaints that had prior court orders issued against the offender decreased from 16,515 in 1998 to 16,194 in 1999, a decrease of 2 percent. Alcohol and/or drugs were involved in 32 percent of the reported offenses occurring in 1999. Persons aged 60 or over were victims in 3 percent of all reported domestic violence offenses that occurred in 1999. Elderly people were the victims in 13 percent of the domestic violence murders. Extensive tables and figures