Domestic Violence

Harmful Effects of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is one of the most common causes of injury to women in the United States. The head, face, neck, chest, breasts, and abdomen are the areas most frequently injured.⁹

After battering starts, it usually continues and is likely to increase in severity if left untreated. For example, battering that starts with a slap may escalate over time to kicking and shoving and finally choking.² The repeated injury and stress of living in a violent relationship often results in long-lasting health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, headaches, chronic neck or back pain, depression, and sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS). Other long-lasting health problems include irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, panic attacks, and pelvic pain. In fact, abused women have a 50% to 70% increase in these kinds of major health problems.¹⁰ Women who are abused are also more likely to smoke or abuse alcohol.¹¹

Pregnancy can be an especially dangerous time for women who are in abusive relationships. Abuse may increase in severity or even start during pregnancy. An estimated 6% of all pregnant women are battered.¹ Problems during pregnancy, such as low weight gain, anemia, infections, and bleeding, are higher for these women. Not surprisingly, babies born to abused women also suffer. Abuse during pregnancy has been shown to increase the baby's risk of low birth weight, premature birth, and death.^{3, 4}

Children who witness domestic violence can also suffer long-term consequences. Many studies have shown that children who grow up witnessing abuse suffer from emotional, behavioral, and cognitive problems. They are at greater risk for depression, poor school performance, withdrawal, and complaints like stomachaches and headaches. Often, on the playground and at school, boys display to some degree the aggressive behavior they witness at home.¹²

By the teen years, both boys and girls are at increased risk for depression, drug and alcohol use, and disruptive behavior. Affected teen girls attempt suicide more often.¹³

The legacy of domestic violence is passed on when children are raised to believe that violence is a normal way of life. Children who witness domestic violence are more apt to be involved in violent relationships as adults, either as abusers or victims.⁵

And children often suffer directly. Men who batter their wives also frequently assault their children. Violence or the threat of violence toward a victim's children is often used to control a battered woman. In 30% to 60% of these violent homes, the children are also abused.¹

Children often believe that somehow they are the cause of the violence in the home. You can help your children by assuring them that they are loved and not at fault. Children need to feel that they are protected and safe. When you leave an abusive relationship, you show by example that violence is wrong.

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Author:	Jeannette Curtis	Last Updated: March 20, 2008
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Brigid McCaw, MD, MS, MPH, FACP - Family Violence Prevention
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