Domestic Violence

Domestic violence refers to abuse people go through within the ties of a marriage, family, dating, and cohabitation or even with friends. It can fall into different categories such as spousal abuse, child abuse and domestic abuse. Domestic violence takes many forms that include physical aggression, threats, controlling behavior, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial deprivation, stalking, and intimidation among others. According to the laws of different states, domestic violence may either be considered a crime or not. There are many causes of domestic violence, which include alcoholism, mental illness and other physical and environmental factors.

Women and children are the most vulnerable people in this scenario since they are considered as weak. It is a sad fact that domestic violence happens in a place where people are supposed to feel safest; within the family. The perpetrators of this heinous crime are those that are expected to guide, love, and care for and protect and when they turn violent, people may be confused on what action to take. Domestic violence causes both psychological and physical torture to its recipients. These people are silenced by this form of abuse and this makes them unable to make personal decisions or voice their opinions. The basic reason as to why they do this is the fear of what would happen if they spoke their minds or took legal steps against the perpetrators. This makes many people suffer silently or opt to run away from home with others committing suicide.

Their self-esteem is bashed, their human rights violated, and that is why sensitization must take place to enlighten them on what to do to stop suffering silently. The physical results of domestic violence include injuries, bruises, lost teeth, and even broken bones. In worst cases, people have died out of domestic violence related cases. Most of the perpetrators go unpunished since many people do not report such incidences. The emotional stress that these people undergo is unbearable and it may lead to depression. The abused people also suffer from anxiety and social isolation as they may have been threatened against disclosing the events at home. Domestic violence abusers are not easy to tell from a crowd since they hide behind a friendly demeanor. They even appear loving and caring but hell comes down behind those closed doors. They also up their game by causing injuries in hidden places, which will not scream for attention.

They also make sure that these injuries do not necessitate treatment. People need to be well informed that abuse is intentional and its perpetrators always seek to control their victims. Many abusers will do it to get what they want. Most of the time, abusers are people who suffer a low self-esteem. Men are the predominant abuser though in recent times women have also become abusers. People undergoing domestic violence need to seek help. If they feel endangered, they have a right to call the police for protection. They must confide in family and friends as they may offer help. It is advisable to move to a safer place to escape the abuse and to get medical help for the injuries suffered. People undergoing domestic abuse must never resign to suffering silently.