Women VS Men VS Children: Domestic Violence Victims

When most of us hear the words “domestic abuse,” our minds almost always conclude it to be domestic violence. In an abusive relationship, one partner may display the behavior of constantly trying to control or dominate the other through physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, economic abuse, and technological abuse.

Any word or action meant to intimidate the other partner in order to control them counts as domestic violence. If you are or know a victim of violence concerning a man, woman, or child, do not hesitate to call a lawyer.

Understanding Domestic Violence

Domestic violence affects people of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It mostly occurs in intimate partner relationships, but it may include other family members.

Domestic violence always involves the abusive partner acting or saying things to try and maintain control over the victim. Victims of domestic violence often suffer in silence because they may fear their partner could cause harm if they speak out.

Who is a Victim?

An abused person experiencing domestic violence feels hopeless and lost. In the case of intimate partner violence against women, the woman may be afraid for the safety of her children, and so she doesn’t speak out.

Remember, you should always seek help by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline. They have various resources to help victims of abuse. How can you tell if you or a loved one is a victim of domestic abuse?

Are You Being Abused?

Domestic violence takes many forms, as mentioned above. Abusive partners can appear calm and charming in public and very easily cloak their violent behavior. In the same breath, those who experience domestic violence rarely speak out.

Forms of Domestic Abuse

• Physical abuse can involve assault, pushing, using physical force that may cause physical injury, and denying medical care.
• Emotional abuse aims to undermine the victim’s self-esteem. Verbal abuse, name-calling, constant criticism, threatening physical harm to oneself or a family member, and even forcing isolation from family and friends are all forms of emotional abuse. Psychological abuse is the most common form of domestic violence against men.
• Sexual abuse is the act of forcing or attempting to force any kind of sexual act without consent. Sexual assault is as likely to happen in heterosexual relationships as it is in same-sex relationships. Forced sex, forced sexual contact, and marital rape are all forms of sexual abuse.
• Economic abuse means restricting access to economic or financial resources to undermine the other person’s freedom. Fraud, identity theft, and any other form of misuse of economic resources or other resources by one partner are examples of financial abuse. Children fall victim when the people charged with guardianship over them act in a way contrary to the child’s best financial interests.
• Technological abuse is a more recent form of abuse that displays tendencies to control, harm, impersonate, or stalk the victim by using various forms of technology. This could directly or indirectly pose a threat to the victim’s life.

Why Do Partners Become Abusive?

Research suggests that perpetrators of domestic violence have a great desire for total control. They do anything to maintain power and control over their victim and will go to any length to keep the control wheel whenever they feel like they are losing grip. This could be in the form of numerous apologies after a domestic violence incident where they promise to change, only to do it again when they feel powerful.

While it is not always the case, children who grow up witnessing domestic violence sometimes become perpetrators or victims of violence and abuse later on in life. There is a higher risk of violence and abuse where drug use is an issue. In some cases, outdated cultural norms and practices seem to normalize violence against women or their children. In certain cases, the partners’ education levels could cause domestic abuse.

Overcoming Domestic Violence

Domestic violence victims suffer physical and emotional damage that may take years to heal. Post-traumatic stress disorder is prevalent in victims of abusive relationships, and some carry this trauma from childhood into late adulthood if it is not treated. Domestic violence affects not just the abused but also their family members, other witnesses, and society at large.

An intimate partner with any abusive behavior breaks a trust that cannot be regained easily. Survivors may find it hard to fall in love again or start a new relationship. Children who grow up around such scenarios tend to have social problems later in life, and some of them become even worse abusers because they grow up normalizing violence.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, and if you are a victim, know that it is not your fault. No one deserves to be abused, and there is help out there. If you are a victim of abuse, do not hesitate to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Here you will find useful domestic violence resources and other resources that will help you get out of your abusive relationship and identify abusive behaviors in your partner. You can also reach out to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Hire a Top-Notch Illinois Personal Injury Attorney

Practice self-care and seek professional mental health care to help deal with post-traumatic stress. Survivors can build healthy relationships after the ordeal and regain control of their lives. If necessary, an experienced lawyer like Michael J. Brennan, who has been handling such cases for over 35 years, will be involved to help you with custody proceedings, physical harm grievances, and even financial support from the abuser in the case of a divorce.

Remember, you have a right to a happy, normal life free from control and abuse. Do not keep quiet if you are a victim. Call Michael J. Brennan at 708-694-9728 today for a free case valuation, or visit his offices in Chicago, IL.