What is Domestic violence

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other.

Domestic violence is a public health an epidemic that knows no boundaries. Victims can be any age, race, economic status, sexual orientation or religion. It is affecting people across the world. It is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior that is part of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence will always have negative results, such as physical injury, psychological trauma, and in severe but all too familiar cases, even death. It has lasting effects on the victim and can lead to suicide, depression, lack of being able to sustain and keep a job, and PTSD. Not only does it harm the victim, but there are other victims. Especially the children who witness and live in a home where abuse is taking place. 73% of all abusers were either abused as children themselves, or witnessed abuse. The devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.

Red Flag Warning Signs

There is no one sign that is by itself an indicator of identifying an abuser. Often it is the combination of many things that reveals the severity. There are however many red flags signals that you should educate yourself about, and avoid anybody who demonstrates them.

Jealous of others or your relationship with others, including family members
Possessive of you and who you talk to, what you wear and what you do
Unpredictable or shifting moods
Destruction of property like cell phone or things that are important to you
Drawing you away from your own family or restricting communication and visits
Causing you fear for your safety if you do not abide by “the rules”
Threats of suicide if you leave them
Controls all the finances
Abuse of other family members, children or pets

Threats of harming you or your children or family if you leave them
Abuses drugs or alcohol
Makes you let them see your cell and have access to all passwords on it and on computer
Spies on your activities, calls your friends to ask them questions about you or what you’re doing
Makes you do or try things that you do not want to do
Bad temper that can go off at any time for even the smallest of issues
Accusations of the victim flirting with others or having an affair
Demeaning the victim either privately or publicly

Cruelty to animals
Verbal abuse which is used to belittle you, hurt your feelings, break your confidence
Extremely controlling about every little thing
Forced sex or disregard of their partner's unwillingness to have sex
Does not use birth control or prohibits you from doing so
Blaming the victim for anything bad that happens
Causing the victim stress at work or school, or to lose their job
Embarrassment or humiliation of the victim in front of others

AND OF COURSE any physical violence is no longer a red flag! It is DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and you need no other sign to confirm.

Present and Long Term Effects

Victims of domestic violence experience a high degree of unhealthy emotions and feelings. These emotions can continue long after the relationship is over. Some victims may resort to coping methods such as drug and alcohol abuse, which only escalate the already festering issues.