Victims of Domestic Violence react in many different ways to the abuse they suffer. Abuse is often repeatedly inflicted, creating an atmosphere of constant fear.
Domestic violence affects not only those abused, but witnesses, family members, co-workers, friends, and the community at large. Children who witness domestic violence are victims themselves and growing up amidst violence predisposes them to a multitude of social and physical problems. Constant exposure to violence in the home and abusive role models teaches these children that violence is a normal way of life and places them at risk of becoming society's next generation of victims and abusers.
Victims of Domestic Violence react in many different ways to the abuse they suffer. In most cases the abuse is repeatedly inflicted, and is a constant fear for the victims. The victims are frequently exposed to intimidation and threats, violence, and the abuse is emotional and psychological, as well as physical and sexual.
Repeated Exposure to Abuse Destroys Self Worth and More
It has been found that the victim's repeated exposure to violence causes them to suffer profoundly. Their thinking, interpersonal relationships, sense of self worth, and their daily activities and functioning can all be affected by the violence.
Some victims even develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a mental health disorder characterized by significant anxiety, depression, fatigue, and flashbacks. The victim's PTSD seems to be brought on by the repeated nature of the abuse.
Many domestic violence victims also suffer reactions of persistent fear, nightmares, and sleep disorders.
Children's Reactions to Abuse
When children cannot depend on their parents or caregivers for emotional support and practical support, their development can be seriously delayed or permanently distorted. Children without an emotionally available parent may withdraw from relationships and social activities. Since childhood is the time when social skills and attitudes are learned, domestic violence can affect their ability to form relationships for the rest of their lives.
While most battered women take active steps to protect their children, (even if they do not leave their batterer), these parents must first cope with the trauma of domestic violence before they'll be able to help their children deal with its effects.
Domestic violence can severely impair a parent's ability to nurture the development of their children. Abused mothers may be depressed or preoccupied with the violence, hence they can be less available to their children or unable to care for their children's basic needs. They may be emotionally withdrawn or numb, irritable or have feelings of hopelessness.
Studies even suggest that "battered women may use more punitive child-rearing strategies or exhibit aggression toward their children." Battering fathers are even less affectionate, less available, and less rational in dealing with their children.
Effects on Abused Women
Abused women are at higher risk of miscarriages, stillbirths, and infant deaths, a 1999 study from Johns Hopkins found. Once born, children of abused women were more likely to be malnourished and less likely to have been immunized against childhood diseases.
Long-term effects of abuse that some women suffer include anxiety disorders and panic attacks, chronic depression, eating disorders, dissociative states and strained family relationships, drug and alcohol dependence, sexual dysfunction, and poverty. Extreme cases can lead to suicide attempts and death either at their own hands or those of their abusers.
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