What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that can include physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, or financial abuse (using money and financial tools to exert control). This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.
Effects of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence can include physical, verbal, emotional, sexual and economic abuse. Some common effects of domestic violence on victims and survivors can include:
- Physical injuries
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Depression
- Feelings of guilt and self-blame
- Feelings of mistrust
- Anxiety
- Strain on other relationships
- Financial difficulties
- Substance abuse
- Feeling isolated
- Health issues appearing or worsening
- Distrust of police and/or legal system
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Barriers to Leaving
- Fear of losing custody of their children
- Cultural and/or religious values
- Believing the abuser will change or stop being abusive
- The abuser threatens suicide or other self-destructive behavior
- Lack of financial independence or resources
- Being isolated from loved ones, family, and friends
- Unable to access important documents like birth certificate, passport, or license
- Fear of being targeted by racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism, etc. by abuser or when reaching out for help
- Fear of losing benefits such as insurance
- Many, many more reasons
