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Domestic violence is the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of a family member by another family member. It is a world-wide problem that transcends class, race, and gender. The most common and widely recognized type is violence against women by their husbands or male partners; however, women also may abuse their husbands, children may abuse their parents, and parents may abuse their children. Domestic violence is not just a legal problem. It is also a mental health problem. Abused women are more likely to be depressed than non-abused women. Children who witness abuse in the home are more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems as they grow than children reared in non-violent homes. Every state, and virtually every city, has programs designed to protect victims of domestic violence. Police are of course the most obvious source of help. However, many people don't want to get the police involved for fear of retaliation. A mental health center is a good source of help. There, victims can learn about community resources, shelters where they can hide for a time when they feel they are in danger, support groups where they can meet other people who suffer the same type of abuse, education groups that provide information on all sorts of matters related to the abuse, including the effects on the children. The most important fact to consider when deciding what steps to take is this: the abuse will not stop by itself. The abuser will not wake up one day and suddenly be free of his/her abusive nature. After each assault, the victim may be promised it will be the last, but it will not. So GET HELP NOW! Visit these pages
at Healthinmind with more information on domestic violence: Read a book on the subject: Getting Free : You Can End Abuse and Take Back Your Life by Ginny NiCarthy Helpful sites on
the web: Read
about a recent murder/suicide as a result of domestic violence. |
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