Research about Domestic Violence

Domestic violence shouldn’t ever happen to anyone, but it does. It is never a pleasant subject, and the best solution is to prevent violence before it starts.For more information on news and research about coping with abuse and violence, symptoms, prevention and screening, law and policy, and statistics, check out the National Institute of Health website. Other good resources can be found at EndAbuse and Women's Law, which features free, easy to understand legal information and resources to battered women.Here’s some information gathered from these resources:

• Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family.

• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.

• Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.

• Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.

• Every day in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.

• When we think of physical abuse, we tend to think of it as more damaging than psychological abuse because it leaves behind obvious reminders of its occurrence. Sometimes these take a transient form, as in bruises or cuts, but other times they may remain with us for a lifetime in the form of scars or permanent injury.

• Psychological abuse, also called emotional or mental abuse, involves behavior that creates mental trauma. The behavior can take the form of verbal attacks, controlling behavior, or jealous behavior and can involve intimidation, threats, and forced isolation from friends and family.

• Psychological abuse of this sort can cause long-lasting damage. It can result in the development of disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, anxiety disorders, and/or depression. These problems may linger long after the abusive relationship has ended.

• In a study of children who were exposed to violence in the home, one group of researchers found that the effects psychological abuse had on these children didn’t differ from that of physical abuse. They had higher rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

• Another misconception regarding psychological abuse is that it is only perpetuated by men on women. This is perhaps due to the fact that more physical abuse is committed by men. However, mental abuse can be committed by men or women, and is severely damaging in either scenario.

• One of the most damaging aspects of physical abuse is the fear that it inspires in the victim. Psychological abuse can inspire that same fear, however, even if the actions are never carried out. A partner or parent may threaten their victim repeatedly with harm that will come to them or someone they love. As long as the belief that the action could be carried out exists, psychological damage is still done. It can create an ongoing sense of fear that produces a number of psychological disorders.

• The psychological disorders that come about due to emotional abuse tend to remain after the abusive relationship is over. They will also often affect the victim’s ability to engage in future relationships.

• While the signs of physical abuse are obvious, the indications of mental abuse may be easier to hide. This doesn’t mean, however, that they are any less damaging. For, while cuts and bruises may fade, mental scars remain, in some cases for a lifetime.

Check out next week’s concluding article in this series: Being mistreated by your spouse or boyfriend is NOT God’s will. You do have options!

Let's Talk: As a follower of Jesus, how do you view domestic violence? (If you are an email subscriber and want to comment on the actual post, click here to visit the blog and leave a comment.)

[Tweet "How do you view domestic violence? Do you have any of these misconceptions?"]

[Tweet "Read this research on domestic violence. How can you combat it?"]