GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

One note, you may notice that we often refer to the batterer or assailant as a man (he/him) and the victim or survivor as a woman (she/her). We do this out of need for simplicity in describing situations. Although a majority of victims are female (up to 95%), there are male victims of domestic violence, too. Please don't be offended. S.A.F.E. Place offers services to both male and female adult victims of domestic violence.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a learned behavior. It is not just one hit. Those who choose to abuse do so in order to maintain power and control. That's why often, even if the victim changes her behavior, the abuser will still be abusive. Many believe that substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) is what causes a person to be abusive. Although many times substance abuse is involved in domestic violence, it is merely a device, which makes a person less inhibited to perform the abusive behavior, which is already there.

Contrary to popular belief, domestic abuse crosses all socioeconomic barriers. It happens in relationships regardless of race, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or economic status.

There are several forms of abuse: physical, emotional, and/or sexual. Most often people "see" the physical abuse because it can often leave visible marks or scars. Sexual abuse can also leave physical marks or scars, some which can or cannot be seen. All of these forms of abuse, however, will leave emotional marks or scars. Bruises and broken bones may heal, but the emotions left behind can be the toughest to overcome.

What are the Long-Term Effects of Domestic Violence?

The long-term effects of domestic violence have not begun to be fully documented. Battered women suffer physical and mental problems as a result of domestic violence. Battering is the single major cause of injury to women, more significant that auto accidents, rapes, or muggings (O'Reilly, 1983). In fact, the emotional and psychological abuse inflicted by batterers may be more costly to treat in the short-run than physical injury (Straus, 1987). Many of the physical injuries sustained by women seem to cause medical difficulties, as women grow older. Arthritis, hypertension and heart disease have been identified by battered women as directly caused by aggravated by domestic violence early in their adult lives (Corrao, 1985).

Battered women lose their jobs because of absenteeism due to illness as a result of the violence. Absences occasioned by court appearances also jeopardize women's livelihood. Battered women may have to move many times to avoid violence. Moving is costly and can interfere with continuity of employment. Battered women often lose family and friends as a result of the battering. First, the batterer isolates them from family and friends. Battered women then become embarrassed by the abuse inflicted upon them and withdraw from support persons to avoid embarrassment. Some battered women have lost their religious communities when separating from abusers because religious doctrine prohibits separation or divorce whatever the severity of abuse.

Many battered women have had to forgo financial security during divorce proceedings to avoid further abuse (Kurz & Coghey, 1989). As a result they are impoverished as they grow older (Marshall & Sisson, 1987).

One-third of the children who witness the battering of their mothers demonstrate significant behavioral and/or emotional problems, including psychosomatic disorders, stuttering, anxiety and fears, sleep disruption, excessive crying, and school problems (Jaffe et al, 1990; Hilberman & Munson, 1977-78). Those boys who witness their fathers' abuse of their mothers are more likely to inflict severe violence as adults (Hotaling & Sugarman, 1986). Data suggest that girls who witness maternal abuse may tolerate abuse as adults more than girls who do not (Hotaling & Sugarman, 1986). These negative effects may be diminished if the child benefits from intervention by the law and domestic violence programs (Giles-Sims, 1985).

The long-term effects of child sexual abuse include "depression and
self-destructive behavior, anger and hostility, poor self-esteem, feelings of isolation and stigma, difficulty in trusting others (especially men), and martial and relationship problems, and a tendency toward revictimization" (Finkelhor & Brown, 1988). Other effects identified include runaway behavior, hysterical seizures, compulsive rituals, drug and school problems (Conte, 1988).

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