Domestic Violence…the silent storm
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,10 million people a year are physically abused by an intimate partner, and over 20 thousand calls are placed daily to domestic violence hotlines. Recent statistics continue to show that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. An inability for a victim to interact with others seems only to empower an abuser, as demonstrated by the 30% increase in domestic violence cases during the mandated pandemic lockdowns. The lockdowns resulted in job loss and increased stress and anxiety levels, and deprived victims of what may have been their only safe haven—their workplace. It further isolated them from others who may have detected the signs of abuse or violence.
Unfortunately, several myths are associated with domestic violence, beginning with the belief that intelligent, successful individuals don’t become entangled in abusive relationships. In truth, there is no stereotype. You may recall the young blogger who, together with her fiancé, embarked on a van life journey across the United States, who weeks later was found strangled to death at the hands of her fiancé. Or the Ivy League professor who beat his wife to death while she wrapped Christmas presents following an argument. Or even the athlete who hit his fiancée so hard she lost consciousness in an elevator. So, as you can see, domestic abuse transcends all socioeconomic levels. Another myth is that domestic violence is a private matter that only affects individuals in their lives at home. In reality, 30,000 to 40,000 incidents of on-the-job violence involve cases in which victims knew their attackers intimately.
Moreover, the annual costs of domestic violence in the United States exceed $5.8 billion per year--$4.1 billion for direct medical and healthcare services, while productivity losses account for nearly $1.8 billion. The last myth we’ll address is that only violent or life-threatening scenarios can impact the workplace. Actually, the most toxic effects of domestic violence can be silent—almost invisible. Abusive partners follow victims to their workplace, use work-related phones or computer technologies to intimidate, harass, or control them, and even prevent them from leaving the home to go to work.
Why do the cases of domestic violence continue to surge? Various factors contribute to an increase in domestic violence, one of which is stress. Stress can be caused by financial anxiety, work stress, or even just the stress of everyday life. And when people with poor coping skills are under stress, they may lash out at those around them. Secondly, substance abuse can also contribute to domestic violence. When abusing drugs or alcohol, people may be more likely to turn violent. And thirdly, a change in the family dynamic due to divorce, the birth of a child, or a change in roles can be a tough challenge. This can lead to tension and conflict, which can revert to violence.
Domestic violence is about absolute power and control. Often, what starts as verbal or emotional abuse intensifies into threats and physical violence. In the early stages of an abusive relationship, the foundation of power and control may be built through adulation. And an offender can be very charismatic, forming attachments very quickly. But then, the evidence of power shifts; they start isolating their victim from friends and family. They then retreat to physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and economic/emotional/psychological abuse to control their victim.
October is designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It was first introduced in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It was created not only to bring more awareness to others but to connect and unify the millions of affected victims that had been battered due to domestic violence. It hopes to break the chains of violence that currently have such a firm grip on our nation.
For additional resources and support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233) or visit https://www.thehotline.org
