DOMESTIC ABUSE

The World Health Organization defines violence as “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, mal development or deprivation”.  (Violence: a public health priority.  WHO Global Consultation on Violence and Health.  World Health Organization, Geneva, 1996.  Document WHO/EHA/SPI.POA.2).

Domestic abuse between spouses or intimate partners is when one person in the relationship tries to control the other person. The perpetrator uses fear and intimidation and may threaten to or actually use physical violence. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.

The victim of domestic abuse or domestic violence may be a man or a woman. Domestic abuse occurs in traditional heterosexual marriages, as well as in same-sex partnerships. The abuse may occur during a relationship, while the couple is breaking up, or after the relationship has ended.

The key elements of domestic abuse are:

• Intimidation
• Humiliation
• Physical injury

Domestic abuse often escalates from threats and verbal abuse to physical violence. Domestic violence may even end up in murder.

The types of domestic abuse are:

• Physical abuse (domestic violence)
• Verbal or nonverbal abuse (psychological, mental, or emotional abuse)
• Sexual abuse
• Stalking or cyber stalking
• Economic abuse or financial abuse
• Spiritual abuse

The divisions between these types of domestic abuse are somewhat fluid, but there is a strong differentiation between the various forms of physical abuse and the various types of verbal and nonverbal abuse.

The causes of domestic abuse or domestic violence

An individual who was abused as a child or exposed to domestic violence in the household while growing up is at an increased risk of becoming either an abuser or the abused in his or her adult relationships. In this way, domestic violence and abuse is transmitted from one generation to the next. This cycle of domestic violence is difficult to break because parents have presented abuse as the norm.

Other factors that can lead to domestic abuse include:

• Stress
• Economic hardship
• Depression 
• Jealousy
• Mental illness
• Substance abuse

Effect of domestic violence on children

Children who witness domestic violence may develop serious emotional, behavioral, developmental, or academic problems. As children, they may become violent themselves, or withdraw. Some act out at home or school; others try to be the perfect child. Children from violent homes may become depressed and have low self-esteem.

As they develop, children and teens that grow up with domestic violence in the household are more likely to:

• Exhibit violent and aggressive behavior.
• Attempt suicide.
• Getting into abuse drugs.
• Commit crimes, especially sexual assault.
• Become abusers in their own relationships later in life.