A single incident of woman abuse can cause major trauma in victims, while for others the trauma of abuse happens over time.
In the light of the 16 Day of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children the Addie researched the effects of violence on its victims.
What we found is that each person experiences domestic violence differently.
Nancy Marshall on the website www.celebratingfamilies.org says the context in which the violence happens to the victim has to be taken into consideration because the victims of domestic violence usually get caught up in a process that happens to them over time.
What begins in a relationship that seems almost “too good to be true” becomes confusing, often emotionally devastating and sometimes deadly.
Marshall says in many relationships domestic violence starts with emotional abuse.
Many victims do not recognise the subtle abusive and controlling behaviours that may occur early in a relationship.
She says both emotionally and physically abusive behaviours tend to build in frequency and intensity over time.
The website www.joyfulheartfoundation.org says coping with the effects of domestic violence can be overwhelming because the victim’s control over the situation has been taken away by the perpetrator.
Domestic violence changes the victim’s world view and outlook on life.
Being in a situation where someone is controlled by another can also create feelings of hopelessness and chips away at the victim’s self-esteem.
The website also provides physical evidence for domestic violence:
- bruises that look like they were caused by choking, punching or defending oneself.
- Black eyes.
- Red or purple marks around the neck.
- Sprained and broken wrists.
The trauma of domestic violence may also cause:
- chronic fatigue.
- Shortness of breath.
- Muscle tension.
- Involuntary shaking.
- Changes in eating and sleeping patterns.
- Sexual dysfunction.
The website aardvarc.org says depression is the response of 60% of battered women to abuse.
These women are also at greater risk of suicide attempts.
They also suffer from post traumatic stress, with symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, emotional numbing, insomnia, hyper-vigilance and avoidance of traumatic triggers.
The website further says one third of children who witness parental violence will demonstrate behavioural and emotional problems.
The boys who witness the abuse of their mother may also inflict severe violence to others when they are adults.
Girls who witness maternal abuse may tolerate the same abuse as adults, more than girls who do not experience domestic abuse.
