DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

HEALTH 9 (GUMAPAC, BUENO, GERNALDO)

 WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
It is an act that includes physical assault (hitting,
pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted
or forced sexual activity), and verbal abuse. 2
These behaviors that are
used by one person in a
relationship who tries to
control the other. This may
occur to partners, who may
be married or not married.
They may be heterosexual
or homosexual couples and
may be living together,
separated, or dating. 3
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCLUDES
ABUSE AND ACTIONS SUCH AS:
• Name-calling or putdowns
• Keeping a partner from getting or keeping a job
• Withholding money/allowance or denying
financial support
• Stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job
• Actual or threatened physical harm
• Sexual assault
• Stalking
• intimidation
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 WHO ARE THE
POSSIBLE VICTIMS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

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• Any one can be a victim, or is at risk of it, especially if his/her
partner:
 -is very jealous and/spies on him/her
 -will not let him/her break off the relationship
 -hurts him/her in any way, is violent, or brags about hurting other
people
 -puts him/her down or makes him/her feel bad
 -forces him/her to have sex or makes him/her afraid to say no to sex
 -abuses drugs or alcohol; pressures him/her to use drugs or alcohol
 -has history of bad relationships and blame it to others.
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There are some children who experience
domestic violence in their homes. The parents
think that the kids don’t know about it, but
mostly, the children are aware of it. They can feel
helpless, scared, and upset. Some blame
themselves as they feel like the violence is their
fault. Nevertheless, children in a violent home
experience different problems as they grow up
and these problem doesn’t go in their own. This
might be in their lives until they get older.
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SIGNS THAT A
PERSON IS SUFFERING
FROM DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE
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PHYSICAL INDICATORS

If someone is being physically abused, they

will likely have frequent bruises or physical
injuries consistent with being punched,
choked, or knocked down—and they'll
likely have a weak or inconsistent
explanation for these injuries.2
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Some physical signs include:
• Black eyes
• Bruises on the arms
• Busted lips
• Red or purple marks on the
neck
• Sprained wrists
It's also common for someone to
try to cover up the physical signs
with clothing. For example, you
may notice someone you care
about wearing long sleeves or
scarves in the hot summer.
Wearing heavier than normal
makeup or donning sunglasses
inside are also common signs of
domestic abuse.
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EMOTIONAL SIGNS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE

Domestic abuse, of course, can take a serious

emotional toll, creating a sense of helplessness,
hopelessness, or despair. Domestic abuse can
cause people to believe that they will never
escape the control of the abuser. They may also
exhibit a constant state of alertness to the point
they never can completely relax.
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Other emotional signs include:
• Agitation, anxiety, or constant apprehension
• Changes in sleep habits (sleeping too much or not enough)
• Developing a drug or alcohol problem
• Extremely apologetic or meek
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Low self-esteem
• Seeming fearful
• Symptoms of depression
• Talking about or attempting suicide 12
These symptoms, of course, could be
due to many other conditions or
factors, but they are typical of
domestic abuse victims who feel they
are trapped in an abusive relationship.
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EMOTIONAL SIGNS

If you notice that someone who was once

outgoing and cheerful has gradually become
quiet and withdrawn, it could be a sign of
domestic abuse.

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SOME EMOTIONAL SIGNS INCLUDE:
• Becomes reserved and distant
• Begins isolating themselves by cutting off contacts with
friends and family members
• Cancels appointments or meetings with you at the last
minute
• Drops out of activities they would usually enjoy
• Exhibits excessive privacy concerning their personal life or
the person with whom they're in a relationship
• Is often late to work or other appointments
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SHOWING SIGNS OF FEAR

People who are being abused may seem

anxious or nervous when they are away from
the abuser, or they may seem overly anxious
to please their partner. If they have children,
the children may seem timid, frightened, or
extremely well-behaved when the partner is
around. 16
Although victims may not talk about
the actual abuse, they might refer to
the abuser as "moody" or having a bad
temper. They may reveal that the
partner is particularly bad-tempered
when drinking alcohol. 17
Sometimes, the fear a victim of abuse
experiences is so intense they feel paralyzed
to make decisions or to even protect
themselves or their children. When the fear
gets to that point, they will even turn down
help offered by friends, family, or even
professional protective services. 18
EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE
Domestic violence survivors can face
ongoing and challenging effects after
enduring physical, mental, and
emotional abuse. It can take time for
a survivor to adjust to living in a safe
environment, especially if a
perpetrator was severely violent
and/or committed the actions over
an extended period of time.
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While addressing this pain can be overwhelming, the
healing process can help survivors develop inner
strengths and lessen their fear of safety for themselves
and their families. On the journey to recovery, survivors
and those who support them should understand that
healing takes time. The effects of this trauma can vary
widely person to person due to individuals’ responses to
stress, age, and the frequency and severity of abuse.
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WHAT ARE COMMON PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
• Bruises
• Bruises on or around the eyes
• Red or purple marks at the neck
• Sprained or broken wrists
• Chronic fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle tension
• Involuntary shaking
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
• Sexual dysfunction
• Menstrual cycle or fertility issues in women 21
WHAT ARE COMMON MENTAL EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including

flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and
uncontrollable thoughts
• Depression, including prolonged sadness
• Anxiety
• Low self-esteem and questioning sense of self
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts. Alcohol and drug
abuse 22
WHAT ARE COMMON EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL EFFECTS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

• Hopelessness
• Feeling unworthy
• Apprehensive and discouraged about
the future
• Inability to trust
• Questioning and doubting spiritual faith
• Unmotivated
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WHAT ARE COMMON EFFECTS ON CHILDREN WHO WITNESS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Whether children witness or experience abuse, it can take a toll on

their development. Domestic violence victims are not isolated to
intimate partners. Children are at an increased risk for emotional
behavioral problems regardless if they were directly abused or not.
The effects include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Academic problems
• Fearful 24