THE PAINFUL SCARS : DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Definition of Domestic Violence
The Effects of Domestic Violence on Women
Woman who continues to live in a violent home often do not realise the effects it has on them.The effects can take many forms and the violence becomes more frequent.It is repeated,in the sense of systematic beating and kicking becomes more aggressive,sexual assault increases and could also lead to severe injury.Between,violence against women has serious consequences for their physical and mental health. Abused women are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, psychosomatic systems, eating problems and sexual dysfunction. Violence may also affect their reproductive health (World Health Organisation, 2000).
Moreover, when economic pressure develops, it led to low-income which literally means that the abuser may stop the victim from going to work and instead force her to beg for money for essentials."Domestic violence has a detrimental impact on employment. Among employed women who suffered domestic violence in the last year, 21 per cent took time off work and two per cent lost their jobs". (Findings from self-completion module of the 2001 British Crime survey, Walby & Allen, 2004).Sadly,systematic domestic violence can also be known as a crime as it could lead to death or even suicide.For instance,46% of all female homicide victims compared with 5% of male homicide victims, were killed by current or former partners in 2001/02. In total there were 116 women who were killed by current or former partners in 2001/02, and the figures have been similar in subsequent years. This equates to an average of over 2 women each week who are killed by a current or former partner (Flood-Page et al, 2003). Women are at greatest risk of homicide at the point of separation or after leaving a violent partner (Lees, 2000).
Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
Studies have shown that sons of abused women tend to become women abusers themselves.The tragic reality is that anytime a mother is abused by her partner,the children are also affected in both overt and subtle ways.In a simple word,when the mother hurts,the children hurts too.
The children may themselves be abused,or neglected while the mother attempts to deal with the trauma.Besides,the rate of children abuse is 6-15 times higher in families where the mother is abused.Basically,children from these background will grow up learning that it is not fault to hurt others or let others to hurt them.Boys who see their fathers beat their mothers are ten times more likely to be abusive in their adult intimate relationships.
Moreover,children from these background may use violence for solving problems at school and homes.Besides,there is also tendency for children becoming drug or alcohol abusers or being involved in abusive relationship as batterer or a victim.Based on interviews with children in battered women's shelters, 85% of children had stayed twice with friends or relatives because of the violence, and 75% over the age of 15 had run away at least twice. Maria Roy, Children in the Crossfire, 1988.
Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate 1500% higher than the national average. National Woman Abuse Prevention Project, Washington, D.C.Boys who witness family violence are more likely to batter their female partners as adults, and girls who witness their mother's abuse have a higher rate of being battered as adults. These common sense observations are fact, not myth. "Battered Families . . . Shattered Lives," Georgia Department of Human Resources Family Violence Manual, January 1992.
BY: NYAVITHRA VEERAIAH
(Law Student)
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