Awareness of the reality and impact of domestic violence has increased since National Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first established in 1989. The observance first began in 1981 and was started by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a Day of Unity to connect battered women’s advocates across the country. Domestic violence (also called intimate partner violence/IPV, domestic abuse, or relationship abuse) is defined as a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Today, domestic violence continues to affect our community in very real ways.
Who Is Affected by Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence does not discriminate. It affects millions. Anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender can be a victim of domestic violence. It can happen to people who are married, living together, or dating. It affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.The first step in recognizing victims of domestic violence is being aware of the issue. Then, we can be people who sees them and provides a sanctuary of hope.
What Is Considered Domestic Violence?
Domestic abuse is taking control of another to the point that they think they cannot survive on their own. It’s intentionally causing another to feel less-than and unworthy. It’s the emotional abuse of insults and name-calling. It’s isolating a person from their support system (i.e., family and friends).Domestic violence includes behaviors that physically harm, provoke fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish, or force them to behave in ways they do not want. It includes the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse, and economic deprivation.
What Is the Impact of Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence has a great impact on its victims, both physically and emotionally. Also, domestic violence occurs more often than we would like to admit. Here are some ways it impacts our society and abuse victims.The Impact by the Numbers
National statistics taken by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV):- On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. In one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.
- On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.
- Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.
The Physical and Mental Impact
Physical, mental, and sexual and reproductive health effects have been linked with intimate partner violence, including HIV, STIs, unintended pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, intrauterine hemorrhage, nutritional deficiency, abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal problems, neurological disorders, chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.Studies also suggest that there is a relationship between intimate partner violence and depression and suicidal behavior. Victims of domestic violence are also at higher risk for developing addictions to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
What Are Common Traits of Abusers?
We are inundated with stories about domestic violence on the nightly news. Anyone can be an abuser. They come from all groups, all cultures, all religions, all economic levels, and all backgrounds. It is important to note that the majority of abusers are only violent with their current or past intimate partners.Although anyone can be an abuser, there is no typical, detectable personality of an abuser. However, they do often display common characteristics.
- Abusers often deny the existence or minimize the seriousness of the violence and its effect on their victims and other family members.
- Abusers objectify their victims and often see them as their property or sexual objects.
- Abusers have low self-esteem and feel powerless and ineffective in the world. They may appear successful, but internally, they feel inadequate.
- Abusers externalize the causes of their behavior. They blame their violence on circ*mstances such as stress, their partner's behavior, a "bad day," or the usage of alcohol and drugs.
- Abusers may be pleasant and charming between periods of violence and are often seen as a "nice person" to others outside the relationship.
If you are wondering if you are in a relationship with an abuser, there are warning signs you might be able to detect in your relationship. Some warning signs include extreme jealousy and possessiveness, the need to control all aspects of your life, unpredictable behavior, the abuse of animals or children, and the placement of blame on others (especially you) when bad things happen. For more warning signs, check out Signs of Abuse by the NCADV.What Are the Risks of Leaving for Domestic Violence Victims?
When talking about victims of domestic violence, many ask the question, “Why don’t they just leave?” This question is hurtful to the victims because leaving is not always as easy as it seems. The average domestic violence survivor attempts to leave seven times before permanently and successfully ending the relationship.While it is best for victims to do what they can to escape their abusers, this is not the case in all situations. Abusers repeatedly go to extremes to prevent the victim from leaving. In fact, leaving an abuser is the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence.One studyby the U.S. Department of Justice found that either threats of separation by their partner or actual separations were most often the precipitating events that lead to the murder of victims of domestic violence.
How Can We Support Domestic Violence Victims?
Whether a victim is trying to leave or staying to survive, the most important thing you can do for a victim of domestic violence is to show up without judgment and condemnation and provide love and support. What they really need is someone to listen to them. Likely, they have been suffering in silence for a long time, and they need to feel heard.In the beginning, the victim will need someone to sit with them in it. And then they will need someone to help them “fix it.” If you try to skip the listening stage and go straight to “fixing the problem,” they may shut you out. When listening, don’t call the abuser names or talk about how you don’t like them because the victim often loves the abuser and will feel the need to defend them, driving the victim away from safety and you into frustration. Instead, become the victim’s confidante. Listen to everything they tell you and assure them you will keep what they tell you private.
It is equally important to remind the victim of the risks associated with being in an abusive relationship and that you fear for their safety. It is also important to avoid telling the victim to leave because victims are afraid to leave. Instead, talk about a safety plan for when they decide it is time to leave. For more information about how to support domestic abuse victims, you can visit the NCADV website.
To those who have experienced domestic violence: Although your situation may feel hopeless, there is hope, and you deserve a happy, healthy life free of abuse.
Domestic violence plagues not just our nation but the world. This problem will not go away quickly or quietly. We can do our best to shed light on such darkness with hopes of giving a voice to those in their suffering.
If you’re reading this and your personal situation requires more immediate help than this blog allows, please call one of these emergency organizations: For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233 (SAFE) or 1.800.787.3224 (TTY), National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.4673, or National Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.222.4453. Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County is an incredible local organization with an abundance of resources. They can be reached at 972.633.6600.
FAQs
Children who are victims of abuse ill do more poorly in school and relationships and carry those outcomes into society, future relationships, and the job market. Homelessness is another result of domestic violence due to fear, financial pressures, mental instability, or inability to care for oneself.
What impact does domestic violence have on the individual? ›
Domestic violence affects one's thoughts, feelings and behaviors and can significantly impact one's mental stability. Increased anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms are commonly observed among survivors of domestic violence.
What are the social impacts of domestic and family violence? ›
Women who experience domestic and family violence often experience social isolation, including from their own extended family. Isolation can be a form of controlling behaviour or a consequence of women's stress, anxiety, shame, physical exhaustion, substance abuse, physical injuries and fear.
How has domestic violence affected the world? ›
Moreover, domestic violence results in broader social and economic costs, including those of services to treat and support abused women and bring perpetrators to justice, aside from lost employment and productivity, undermining women's capabilities, and even slowing down economic growth.
What impact does domestic violence have on our social and economic well-being? ›
The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $8.3 billion per year in the United States. Survivors of intimate partner violence lose a total of 8.0 million days of paid work each year. Between 21-60% of survivors of intimate partner violence lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from the abuse.
What is the impact of gender based violence in the community? ›
It affects not only physical health but also mental health and may lead to selfharm, isolation, depression and suicidal attempts.
What are the effects of violence on society? ›
In a community, violence can cause: the cycle of violence to continue into new generations. the continued false belief that men are better than women. everyone's quality of life to suffer because women take part less in their communities when they are silenced or killed by the violence.
What is the effect of violence on individual and society? ›
Violence can cause physical injury as well as psychological harm. Several psychological disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative identity disorder, and borderline personality disorder, are associated with experiencing or witnessing violence.
What is the social impact of violence on an individual? ›
Accordingly, these reactions put them at increased risk of developing mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), experiencing negative health, social and educational outcomes and engaging in risky behaviours (e.g., substance abuse, aggression) throughout childhood ...
Who is most affected by domestic violence in the United States? ›
Every year, more than 10 million men and women in the U.S. are subjected to Domestic Violence. Its impact can be felt far and wide: More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the U.S. will experience rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
85% of domestic violence victims are women. 1/4 of women worldwide will experience domestic/dating violence in their lifetime. Women between the ages of 20 to 24 are at greatest risk of becoming victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence is most likely to take place between 6 pm and 6 am.
What are the impacts of economic abuse? ›
Economic Abuse and Safety
Economic abuse may leave survivors homeless, unemployed or unable to access supports or resources that can help them rebuild their lives. This can result in greater dependency on their abuser to provide for basic needs or an inability to recover from an act of violence.
How does economic status affect domestic violence? ›
The results of other studies have shown that domestic violence is linked to a low economic status and a history of depression in women, and has an inverse relationship with the degree of education and employment status of both spouses, marital satisfaction and social support.
What are five effects of gender based violence in society? ›
Gender-based violence has effects such as homicide and suicide, injury and shock, disability and sleeping disorders, reproduction problems, emotional and psychological problems and social and economic problems such as increased gender inequalities.
How does gender based violence affect the economy? ›
We found that higher levels of violence against women and girls are associated with lower economic activity, driven mainly by a significant drop in female employment. The physical, psychological, and emotional violence that women experience makes it more difficult for them to achieve or maintain a job.
What are the impacts of gender based violence campaign? ›
On an individual level, GBV leads to psychological trauma, and can have psychological, behavioural and physical consequences for survivors. In many parts of the country, there is poor access to formal psychosocial or even medical support, which means that many survivors are unable to access the help they need.
How can we stop violence in our community? ›
Set up a Neighborhood Watch or a community patrol, working with police. Make sure your streets and homes are well-lighted. Make sure that all the youth in the neighborhood have positive ways to spend their spare time, through organized recreation, tutoring programs, part-time work, and volunteer opportunities.
What causes so much violence in our society? ›
There are many causes of violence including “frustration, exposure to violent media, violence in the home or neighbourhood and a tendency to see other people's actions as hostile even when they're not.
What is the impact of seeing violence? ›
Some studies indicate that viewing aggression activates regions of the brain responsible for regulating emotions, including aggression. Several studies, in fact, have linked viewing violence with an increased risk for aggression, anger, and failing to understand the suffering of others.
What is violence in your own words essay? ›
Violence Essay: Violence is the intentional use of physical force or power, vulnerable or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a gaggle or community, that either ends up in or incorporates a high chance of leading to injury, death, psychological hurt, and deprivation.
The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation (pg. 5).
What are social impacts on individuals? ›
Social impact can be defined as the effect on people and communities that happens as a result of an action or inaction, an activity, project, programme or policy.
What groups of people are most impacted by domestic violence? ›
IPV impacts people of all genders, ages, socioeconomic, racial, educational, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. However, women account for the vast majority of people who experience this form of gender-based violence and it is most often perpetrated by men.
How many Americans are affected by domestic violence? ›
Family and domestic violence is a common problem in the United States, affecting an estimated 10 million people every year; as many as one in four women and one in nine men are victims of domestic violence.
Where is the most domestic violence in the world? ›
United States. Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men report being physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States. In the United States, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44.
What do you all think are the main reasons why domestic violence occurs? ›
What causes domestic violence?
- less access to education.
- personality disorders.
- substance use.
- cultural attitudes.
- gender ideologies.
- low self-esteem.
- struggling with anger management.
- insecurity.
Domestic violence often goes unreported due to emotional abuse, mental abuse, fear, and lack of financial resources. Only about half of all domestic violence incidents are reported to law enforcement. That's according to the National Crime Victimization Survey.
What are some facts about domestic violence and mental health? ›
Domestic violence is associated with depression, anxiety, PTSD and substance abuse in the general population. Exposure to domestic violence has a significant impact on children's mental health. Many studies have found strong links between poorer educational outcomes and higher levels of mental health problems.
What are the effects of violence in society? ›
Those who experience or witness violence may develop a variety of problems, including anxiety, depression, insecurity, anger, poor anger management, poor social skills, pathological lying, manipulative behaviour, impulsiveness, and lack of empathy.
What are the social effects of violence? ›
Accordingly, these reactions put them at increased risk of developing mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), experiencing negative health, social and educational outcomes and engaging in risky behaviours (e.g., substance abuse, aggression) throughout childhood ...
Maltreatment can cause victims to feel isolation, fear, and distrust, which can translate into lifelong psychological consequences that can manifest as educational difficulties, low self-esteem, depression, and trouble forming and maintaining relationships.
What are the effects of community violence on children? ›
What Are the Effects of Community Violence? If hurt by violence, a child may have to cope with physical or medical problems. A child may also have mental health problems, including PTSD. Some people think that young children are not harmed by community violence because they are too young to understand or remember.
What are five negative impact of violence? ›
Consequences include increased incidences of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and suicide; increased risk of cardiovascular disease; and premature mortality. The health consequences of violence vary with the age and sex of the victim as well as the form of violence.
What are the main causes of violence in society? ›
Individual
- History of violent victimization.
- Attention deficits, hyperactivity, or learning disorders.
- History of early aggressive behavior.
- Involvement with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Low IQ.
- Poor behavioral control.
- Deficits in social cognitive or information-processing abilities.
- High emotional distress.
Some of the health and mental health impacts associated with experiences of violence and abuse include:
- Injury/ disability.
- Eating disorders.
- Sleeping disorders.
- Pregnancy complications.
- Sexually transmitted diseases.
- Drinking/ drug use.
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
Consequences of Violence
Women who have experienced domestic violence are 80 percent more likely to have a stroke, 70 percent more likely to have heart disease, 60 percent more likely to have asthma and 70 percent more likely to drink heavily than women who have not experienced intimate partner violence.
What are some social effects? ›
This can include pollution, crime, inequality, and economic decline. Organizations and individuals with a negative social impact should focus more on making the world a better place.
How does emotional abuse affect a person socially? ›
These effects could include extremely low self-esteem, seeking bad relationships, and other physical or mental effects. There are resources available for people who experience emotional abuse to seek help.
How does emotional abuse affect social development? ›
Emotional abuse can affect a child's emotional development, including: feeling, expressing and controlling emotions. lacking confidence or causing anger problems. finding it difficult to make and maintain healthy relationships later in life.
What is community violence intervention? ›
Definition: Community violence intervention (CVI) is an approach that uses evidence-informed. strategies to reduce violence through tailored community-centered. initiatives.
Youth violence can have serious and lasting effects on young people's physical, mental, and social health. It can harm development and contribute to impaired decision-making, learning challenges, decreased connections to peers and adults, and trouble coping with stress.
What are the effects of family? ›
Family relationships provide resources that can help an individual cope with stress, engage in healthier behaviors, and enhance self-esteem, leading to higher well-being.
