Effects

Information provided by http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/effects.shtml

• Victims suffer physical and mental problems as a result of domestic violence.

• Battered women lose their jobs because of absenteeism due to illness as a result of the violence.

• 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.

• Some victims 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 to forgo financial security during divorce proceedings to avoid further abuse.

• Many battered women have low self esteem and/or accepts responsibility for the batterer's actions. i.e. The classic statement "if I didn't do...then I wouldn't get hit" or "my partner only abuses me when I do something wrong"

• Many women are traditionalists of the home and have a strong belief in family unity and the prescribed feminine sex-role stereotype. From this many women suffer from guilt, yet denies feelings of terror and anger.

Domestic Violence is also a Leader in Homelessness!

Courtesy of Educating Homeless Children

• DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is a leading cause of homelessness among women and children.

• Half of all homeless women report that DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is the primary reason for their becoming homeless.

• Many women who leave their abusers have no other option but the streets.

• Leaving an abusive relationship often means leaving property and family income behind. Of women who become homeless due to abuse, 40% are not able to find room in a domestic violence shelter.

• The painful experience of being homeless causes some women to return to their abusers.