THE FACES OF VIOLENCE

Domestic Violence (DV) is far more common of a problem than most of us know of, affecting millions of people each year.

 

In the United States alone, as many as 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men are living in the terror of violence inside their own homes.

 

Not only is DV a threat to the public safety of us all, as predators are constantly on the prowl for victims, but the cycle of violence significantly impairs the professional and social functioning in the many victims affected.

 

The stigma of fear and shame has long shaped the archetypal structure of the power dynamic in these toxic relationships, making it far less likely that sufferers will divulge that they are being hurt or are trapped within them.

 

DV relationship dynamics are harmful in ways that aren't always easily recognizable and span all age groups, genders, races, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds.

 

Due to the overwhelming  number of incidences of that go unreported, resulting in perpetrators killing their victims, it is critical to recognize the 4 main types of domestic violence, as it can save lives.

4 MAIN TYPES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Physical Violence

Involves using excessive physical force and can take the form of :

 

· Hitting, punching, kicking, or chocking victims.

· Inflicting sickness or biological harm to financially exploit victims.

· Threats to mutilate or cause physical impairment or injury.

· Acts of intimidation, and restricting self-autonomy or determination.

· Denying medical care.

· Forced drugging or alcohol use.

· Harming a victim's children or pets.

· Using other people as “flying monkeys” to terrorize victims.

· Dowry Violence

· All other actions that infringe on someone's personal freedom by means of violence.

 

Psychological & Emotional  Violence

Subjecting victims to prolonged trauma scenarios such as :

 

· Bullying or Gaslighting.

· Exposure to contradictory behavior or scenarios that serve to confuse, destabilize and invoke doubt.

· Inducing fear by making direct or indirect threats so that the target is afraid to leave the relationship.

· Isolation, monitoring or controlling the victims activities to minimize healthy interactions.

· Distorting reality by harming victims in covert ways and then denying it.

· Corroding the victims self-identity by attacking or perverting their belief systems and socialization habits.

· Grooming victims to accept abusive, crude or otherwise debasing behavior.

This form of abuse almost always precedes physical abuse.

 

The primary goal of psycho-emotional abuse is to impair, destabilize, dehumanize and disarm a victim emotionally and psychological in ways that diminish their self preservation attributes, making them easier to exploit and control.

 

Sexual Violence

Coercing or attempting to coerce unwelcomed or otherwise unwanted sexual advances by:

 

· Inappropriate touching or fondling.

· Forcing victims into sex trafficking or gang rape scenarios.

· Sodomy and involuntary genital mutilation.

· Child sexual assault and Incest.

· Forcing victims to trade sex for economic resources.

· Sexual harassment in the workplace.

 

** Every 68 seconds, another victim is sexually assaulted.

Economic Violence

Exploiting financial autonomy and independence by:

 

· Forcing victims into codependence by controlling or eliminating access to financial resources.

· Diminishing a victim's ability to care for themselves through repeated and ongoing acts of sabotage.

· Acts of bioterrorism to extract resources from victims.

· Inducing chronic homeless or job loss.

· Putting victims on strict allowances or making them beg for the financial resources they need to

   survive.

· Preventing victims from pursuing education, training  or any mechanism that enables self-sufficiency.

 

In communities and families where there is a lack of financial independence or education, sexual violence and sexual exploitation are far more prevalent than in communities and families where its members have a greater degree of financial freedom and access to financial resources.

Knowing The Signs

Social and domestic violence is a world-wide phenomenon, causing devastation and suffering to all who fall victim to it. One of the best things any of us can do to help diminish the effects of such a corrosive and debilitating social structure, is to educate ourselves, so that we can recognize the signs when we see them. Then and only then can we take a stand against domestic violence and work towards helping those in need.

Difficulty In Leaving

Due to the structural tenets of physical , psycho-emotional and financial abuse victims suffer within these relationships, leaving them can be one of the hardest things to do. It takes a great deal of courage and support to get out and stay out.

There Is Help...There Is Hope

There are resources and support for anyone who may be affected by

Domestic Violence. For help, contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline 24/7 at 1800-799-7233 or visit THEHOTLINE.ORG

 

“Walking away  is one of the bravest things  you can do. You are worthy of all the goodness there is  to be had in healthy relationships.

 

- A SURVIVOR

Violence