Domestic Violence is a leading issues in the United States today. It affects many different demographics in different regions of the world, however, let’s focus specifically on how it affects young woman in the U.S. This violence is a domino effect which affects all people involved whether it be long term or short term. If society understood how domestic violence could be eliminated if communities reported the crime and knew the signs of this abuse. It is also important to understand the effects of domestic violence and how this can cause adults to act poorly in society. To support those that have been harmed by this violence and give them the care and attention they need to heal from it, so they do not hurt others.
Did you know young men who witness domestic violence are 2 times more likely to become abusers to their own partners? Children develop different stages of their personalities as they grow older. As they grow they begin to imitate the behaviors they watch, if that is a positive characteristic then they will begin to act out in a positive manor. If these children watch a negative characteristic they begin to act out that characteristic. It is very important that children do not think violence is a healthy normal way of life, therefore, children need to grow up in positive home so that they do not treat their family the same as what they witnessed.
Most intimate partner homicides start with physical and emotional abuse. 60% to 80% of domestic violence relationship that end in death begin by physical violence. The violence within this type of abuse begins with emotional damage to the partners mental stability following control through force. As this relationship of abuse continues the importance of control is key to the abuser and will continue to grow in violence to remain in control. If the victim of this abuse doesn't comply sometimes the abuser is forced to use deadly force.
One major sign of early signs of domestic abuse is the abuser needs control over their victims. They begin to break down the victim emotionally leaving their victim feelings weak, therefore, they begin to be easy to control. The victim loses their sense of self and feel that they can only survive off the thoughts of their abuser. If the abuser feels that they are losing control they will then act out which puts the victim back into "their place".
Children have been taken from families when parents are not suited to take care of them. Foster care has increased rating of children being rehomed to a family suitable. A suitable family then goes through the many processes of helping children who witnessed domestic violence time to heal and resources to help them do that. Studies show that the youth who experienced abuse as well as witnessed domestic abuse were more negatively affected than those who only witnessed trauma because their brains and thyroid did not develop correctly due to the stress caused by the abuse.
Most victims of domestic violence have mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, including flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts, depression, including prolonged sadness, anxiety, low self-esteem, and questioning sense of self. These mental health issues are very serious and can cause those victims to have issues moving on in their own lives. For some of these victims it takes years of therapy for them to feel comfortable in society and for some they do not feel comfortable again.
Victims of domestic violence struggle with the mental health disorders and needing treatment they self medicate with drugs and alcohol to overcome the abuse. Some victims even start their addictions while with their abuser, and when they try to leave they have to work on their mental stability and their drug or alcohol problem. This makes it very difficult for the victim to overcome this problem which can lead them to overdosing.
On the road to recovery, victims of domestic violence need time and support through their journey of healing, however, some victims do not get the proper support and feel their last resort is suicide. The effects of this trauma affect an individuals’ responses to stress, age, and the frequency and severity of abuse differently which some feel helpless, so they may take their lives in the situation without getting out. The high percentage of victims that think death is the only option for them is increasing each year as domestic violence increases.
Domestic violence has many key components that are very serious such as continuing through generations of young men, homicide, controlling tendencies, increased foster care children, mental health issues, drug and alcohol abuse, and increasing suicide rates. Society needs to take control of this situation and help young adults build better versions of themselves. Domestic violence needs to come to an end with the support and help of counseling and law enforcement.
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