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Betsy Pena
Ms. Barrett
AP English 12
04/27/16
The Effects of Domestic Violence on Women
Domestic violence is violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving
the violent, physical abuse of a spouse or partner (Domestic Violence: What Is Domestic
Violence?). Contrary to common belief, there are many different types of domestic violence; it is
not purely physical. It has many different forms and domestic violence comes in varying degrees:
physical and psychological being the most common. Laws are in place to protect victims and
prosecute abusers in kind, varying from counseling to .
Physical domestic violence is by far the most commonly known of the categories. The
physical effects of domestic violence have the most visibility. Common physical evidence of
domestic violence can include bruises that look like they came from choking, punching or
defending oneself, black eyes, and sprained or broken wrists. There are also physical effects of
domestic violence that affect a persons overall health. These result from trauma and can
manifest immediately after an incident of abuse or later after the abuse has ended. These effects
can include involuntary shaking, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, sexual dysfunction, and
issues with menstrual cycle or fertility(joyfulheartfondation.org). Arthritis, hypertension and
heart disease have been identified by battered women as directly caused or aggravated by
domestic violence suffered early in their adult lives (Domestic Violence: Fast Facts on Domestic
Violence).

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Psychological effects can be more difficult to pinpoint and are just as harmful as the
physical effects. In addition to physical injuries, women who are victims of domestic violence
are also at a greater risk of mental health problems such as depression and psychotic symptoms
(sciencedaily.com). Abusees can also suffer mental instability from the results of domestic abuse.
Psychological health effects include low self esteem, difficulty in forming/maintaining
relationships, anxiety, self degradation, chronic stress, phobias, and many more problems that
will affect their way of living. It can take away a persons sense of safety and security,
influencing his or her ability to trust others. Survivors might feel unmotivated, empty or like
reaching out is not worth the effort.
Sexual health problems in many cases are a big problem that arises in women.Women in
abusive relationships often dont have control over their own reproductive systems because their
abusers prevent them from taking birth control. The womens health experts are encouraging
doctors to start screening patients for what they call reproductive coercion any situation in
which a womans partner wont let her make her own choices about
pregnancy(thinkprogress.org) The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
(ACOG) has issued new guidelines to help doctors recognize signs of reproductive coercion
within an abusive relationship.
Abusers often try to get a woman pregnant against their will. Not only by forcing them
into sex, but also by hiding their birth control pills or putting holes through condoms. Some
abusive partners will even go so far as pulling out a womans intrauterine device (IUD) or
vaginal ring. And if a woman does become pregnant, reproductive coercion can take the form of
pressuring her to continue an unwanted pregnancy when she wants to get an abortion, or forcing

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her to terminate a pregnancy when she wants to have a child. Ultimately, medical experts
explain, this form of abuse is another method of controlling womens bodies.
Economic abuse is the most overlooked. Many do not know that it is a type of domestic
violence and affects the victim immensely. Economic abuse is defined as making (or attempting
to make) an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial
resources, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance at school or
employment (Domestic Violence and Abuse). Financial siege is something which most people do
not think of as domestic violence. Even after the victim is able to leave the abuser there may still
be problems maintaining a job or financial stability. The effects range from problems of
dependency to losing the ability to do anything for themselves. Many abusers ingrain into their
victims the idea they are not capable of caring for their lives.
Domestic violence has many malignant outcomes for the victim. In some cases it may
even force them to move away from their friends and family. Abusees are often abandoned by
their churches when separating from abusers, since some religious doctrines forbid divorce
regardless of the severity of abuse (Domestic Violence: Fast Facts on Domestic Violence). Many
even lose their employment because of absences in regard to their physical or mental issues. This
maltreatment is all done to strip the victims of any security they could possibly feel and create a
sole dependency on the abuser, making it difficult to leave and find help.
The primary step for victims to recover from the effects of domestic violence is to get
away from it. The way to stop domestic violence is to look for signs of abuse be it physical,
economical, physiological, emotional or sexual. There are many hotlines and websites available
to help those of whom are victims. In society today there are people who have open homes to
assist those who have been able to escape their abusers. Through these shelters women are

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helped so they will be able to work and support themselves and children they may have. The
awareness of domestic violence is growing and is helping those who are unable to or do not
know how to help themselves. Though it may be a big issue, it is something that can be stopped
and prevented. It is essential to remember that domestic violence does not only happen in one
type of household but in any kind. It is something that should not be taken lightly. It is a very
serious matter. There are over 16,800 homicides and $2.2 million (medically treated) injuries due
to intimate partner violence annually(Domestic Violence: Fast Facts on Domestic Violence).
Abusers are not forgotten there are laws that protect victims and help maintain abusers from
harming others.
The most prominent being the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), outlined grant
programs to prevent violence against women and established a national domestic violence
hotline. New protections were given to victims of domestic abuse, such as confidentiality of new
address and changes to immigration laws that allow a battered spouse to apply for permanent
residency. According to the VAWA Act, a domestic violence misdemeanor is one in which
someone is convicted for a crime "committed by an intimate partner, parent, or guardian of the
victim that required the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly
weapon"(family.findlaw.com). Under these guidelines, an intimate partner is a spouse, a former
spouse, a person who shares a child in common with the victim, or a person who cohabits or has
cohabited with the victim.
Another area this act addresses is interstate traveling for the purposes of committing an
act of domestic violence or violating an order of protection. A convicted abuser may not follow
the victim into another state, nor may a convicted abuser force a victim to move to another state.
Many abusers are only sent to counseling and are assigned to a Batterer Intervention Programs

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(BIPS). BIPS attempt to address all levels of violence including verbal abuse, emotional abuse,
sexual abuse, and physical abuse. A six month long series of classes taught by licensed
facilitators, BIP classes present physical violence not as isolated, incidental behavior. Instead,
physical violence is the culmination of many abusive behaviors, or tactics to gain power and
control over another person (psychologydegreeguide.org).
The VAWA specifies full faith and credit to all orders of protection issued in any civil or
criminal proceeding. Forty-seven states have now passed legislation that recognizes orders of
protection issued in other jurisdictions. Another goal of VAWA was to influence state legislators,
particularly in regard to arrest policy for domestic situations. In order to receive Federal funding,
states must adopt certain responses. The Act reads: VAWA 1994: (1) To implement mandatory
arrest or pro-arrest programs and policies in police departments, including mandatory arrest
programs and policies for protection order violations (Part U, SEC. 2101). This act has had a
profound effect on state laws governing domestic abuse (family.findlaw.com).
Domestic abuse has a destructive impact on many, even after the abuse there are many
long term effects. There is help for the victims to help them cope with the effects of abuse. There
are laws and programs that help them continue and live a life that is not defined by their previous
experiences.

Works Cited
Culp-Ressler, Tara. "The Hidden Consequences Of Domestic Violence Linger For
Decades." ThinkProgress RSS. N.p., 26 Sept. 2014. Web. 5 Mar. 2016.

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"Domestic Violence and Abuse." : Signs of Abuse and Abusive Relationships. N.p., n.d.
Web. 6 Mar. 2016.
"Domestic Violence: Fast Facts on Domestic Violence." Domestic Violence: Fast Facts
on Domestic Violence. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2016.
"Domestic Violence: What Is Domestic Violence?" Department of Justice. N.p., n.d. Web.
5 Mar. 2016.
"Effects of Domestic Violence." Joyful Heart Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2016.
"Federal Domestic Violence Legislation: The Violence Against Women Act - FindLaw."
Findlaw. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2016.
"Impact of Domestic Violence on Women's Mental Health." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily,
n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.
"Recent Trends in Treating Domestic Violence Offenders." Psychology Degree Guide
Recent Trends in Treating Domestic Violence Offenders Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 5
Mar. 2016.
Smith, Melinda, M.A. "Domestic Violence and Abuse." : Signs of Abuse and Abusive
Relationships. N.p., Apr. 2015. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.