Domestic Violence, Domestic Abuse and Their Effects

Is there a difference between domestic violence and domestic abuse? Yes, Each year many women fall prey to either domestic violence, domestic abuse, or both. Domestic violence however, is the most dangerous and often leads to the murder of the victim.

Domestic abuse is more verbal, emotional, and mental. Leaving the victim with a low self esteem as well as, emotional scarring. Domestic abusers often found in heterosexual marriages. Although it does occur in homosexual relationships. The abuse however in same sex partnerships is lower than those in heterosexual relationships.

The abuse may begin either during the marriage, or after the marriage has ended. Or it can occur during the marriage and continues on even after the marriage has ended.

How does domestic abuse begin? Domestic abuse is usually a learned behavior for the abuser. Either the abuser has learned it from seeing it at home growing up as a child. Or he or she has been abused by someone during childhood.

There are several types of abuse. They are: verbal abuse, where the abuser is constantly, either belittling, humiliating, mocking, criticizing, or uses intimidation in front of others to make sure the victim feels worthless without them. When this happens the abuser usually succeeds in stopping the victim from ever thinking of leaving them. Because the victim is insecure about whether he or she can do things on their own. The abuser blames the victim for everything. The abuser also may harm the family pet as a way of intimidating the victim. The victim may also be called names by the abuser. The end result for the victim., is usually psychological, emotional, and, or mental. Although you can't see it, it can sometimes be a lot worse than physical abuse, only because the damage has already been done to the victims state of mind. The damage from verbal abuse hardly ever goes away. Unless the abused seeks the professional help that he or she needs. But sometimes even then, it doesn't go away.

Another form of abuse is financial abuse. Financial abuse is where the abuser leaves the victim without any money or credit cards. The victim my also be kept from buying food, clothing, or any kind of necessary medication the victim may need for their heath. The abuser may also keep the victim from earning his or her own money; or from being able to choose their own profession. If the victim is working, the abuser may steal whatever money or assets that the victim may have acquired and use it for their own personal gain.

Sexual and physical violence has been linked to usually go hand in hand with one another. The abuser who is physically violent with their spouse is usually sexually abusive as well. Sexual abuse comes in either or all of the following: sexual assault or rape is when the abuser forces their partner to have unwanted sex with them. Sexual harassment is usually used by the abuser to gain control over their victim. When the abuser forces their victim to watch or perform in home pornography it's called sexual exploitation.

Physical violence is often called domestic violence. Domestic violence is when the abuser uses excessive force on their partner. The physical abuse includes the following acts: pinching, throwing, biting, pushing, punching, burning, assault with a weapon, choking, restraining, confinement, hitting, sexual assault, and kicking. Either domestic violence alone or combined with sexual abuse can turn into murder.

Stalking is considered to be a form of domestic violence. Stalking is when the victim wants absolutely no contact whatsoever with their abuser. But the abuser however, still puts the victim in fear of them by monitoring their partners whereabouts. By doing so the stalker may want to harm their partner for leaving them. Stalkers have many ways to threaten the victim. Some of these tactics include: repeated phone calls, sending unwanted gifts to the victim, watching the victim with either a hidden microphone or camera. Threatening the victim and their family. Destroying the victims personal property. Stalking can also be done over the internet. This is called cyberstalking. Stalking either way is considered dangerous and may lead to some sort of violence in the end.

Spiritual abuse. Spiritual abuse is where the abuser mocks their victims religious beliefs. They may even force their children to be raised in a different religion because it would hurt the victim by doing so.

The causes for domestic violence are: financial hardship, stress (one of the biggest causes of all relationship problems). Followed by jealousy, substance abuse, and mental illness.

The long term effects for a victim of domestic abuse are: crying, depression, feelings of abandonment, and not feeling loved. Low self esteem, not being able to take rejection from others. Panic attacks, not being able to sleep well, as well as substance abuse. And do to all the stress from all the abuse is the victim will have constant health problems.

If you or someone you know is being abused please call the domestic violence hot line at 1-800-799-7233 or contact the local authorities.