Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. And yet, for millions of Americans, going home can be more frightening than leaving it. This October, Maryvale joins organizers around the country to raise awareness of domestic violence. Domestic and intimate partner violence describes physical, psychological, or sexual harm caused by a former or current partner. Domestic violence may occur in private; however, its impact is felt by more people than you might expect. As many as one in every four women experience domestic violence and about half as many men. Domestic Violence Awareness Month aims to increase visibility into the enormity of this issue and build support networks for victims and survivors. Plus, with increased awareness comes greater potential to hold abusers accountable and introduce legislation protecting victims.
For decades, organizations have come together in October to provide a platform for domestic violence awareness and broaden the narrative for victims whose lives have been halted, damaged, or disrupted by an abuser. Domestic violence can result in physical injuries or disabilities, psychological trauma, and dangerous family dynamics. For a partner who is abused, the consequences are devastating – and are too often unrecognized or silenced. More than half of all women who seek mental health support have been abused by an intimate partner. Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety are common issues faced by survivors – and all of these can have a severe impact on one’s ability to hold a job, act as an effective parent, and function at a high level. In a fundamental way, many survivors and victims of domestic violence suffer from a lack of agency – meaning, they do not feel that they are in control of their lives. A lack of agency prevents a person from shaping their environment, improving their situation, or caring for their physical bodies. Because many victims do not have a healthy relationship with pleasure or intimate trust, they are prone to coercion and can become victims on a repeated basis. Physically, victims and survivors are prone to headaches, pain, choking sensations, difficulty breathing, and gastrointestinal upset.
Victims of domestic abuse include witnesses. In some cases, children are not the direct victims of harm; however, their lives are permanently altered by being present for traumatic events. Children and abuse victims alike might experience cognitive and emotional difficulties, trouble remembering details, or feelings of detachment from their bodies. In many instances, symptoms like these do not always lead to a psychological diagnosis.
Reports indicate that instances of domestic violence and intimate partner abuse have been on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to support and resources outside the household may be suspended. From financial insecurity to stress to substance use, risk factors for domestic violence have all peaked in the past years and a half. For this reason, it is more critical than ever to give victims a voice and to raise awareness so that people feel empowered and safe in their relationships and their homes. If you or someone you know is coping with trauma and a lack of safety in the household, we encourage you to seek immediate support. Maryvale and our community partners are here to support you through conflict resolution, immediate help, and long-term trauma-informed mental health services.
