Switched-On Magazine

Ten years ago, the Center for Disease Control released a report saying that there was a growing health problem afflicting over 10% of United States citizens. The problem is severely underreported, unrecognized, and misunderstood. The problem is domestic violence. The term domestic violence includes numerous abuses that are found in situations where people in close contact, like partners, family, or friends, are in an unbalanced, violent, or hostile relationship where one member seeks to gain power and control over the other. Since the behaviors which fall under domestic violence are so numerous, over 30 million Americans are said to experience it. Such a broad definition means that many of these Americans don't even realize what they're undergoing qualifies as domestic violence. Emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse and physical abuse all constitute domestic violence.

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to domestic violence. While it's generally thought that men are more abusive, women can be abusive also.  The word violence, which is generally seen in a physical sense, also pertains to verbal attacks. Not fully understanding what domestic violence is stops people from getting help. Meanwhile, the effects of domestic violence can be devastating, both immediately and in the long run. Physical abuse often leads to serious injuries, which sometimes go untreated because of worries that the abuse will be discovered. Many women who have been victimized by domestic violence only to escape from the situation end up impoverished and homeless. Further, the effects on any form of abuse carry long-term psychological consequences. Fear and a reluctance to trust others are common effects for someone who has been abused. As with any traumatic experience, victims of domestic violence can feel haunted by the ordeal long after it has ended.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, acting as soon as you can is vital. Waiting may seem like the easier option, but seeking help is the best one. There is a special hotline for those in situations with domestic violence, which is in the resources tab on the left. There are also websites where you can find out if you're in an abusive situation, and what to do if you are. No amount of abuse is ever okay, but it can only be stopped with action- whether it's a call to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the police, or a friend who can help you get out of the situation. If you can't access a phone, look online for help. Above all, realize that nobody deserves abuse, and do whatever you can to stop it.