Worth knowing
Forms of violence
There are very different forms of violence, most of which involve more than just the obvious punches or kicks. As a rule, victims also experience a mixture of several types of violence.
Consequences of violence
People affected by domestic violence live in a constant state of alert. This permanent state can have serious health and economic consequences.
Forms of violence
What does violence look like?
Domestic violence can take various forms. Many women often don’t even realise that they are affected because ‘he would never hit me’. Power and control can be exerted on the inferior partner in the relationship on many levels, but it should never be accepted. Unfortunately, domestic violence – in whatever form – is not a one-off event and usually occurs in phases that recur.
Psychological violence:
- Degrading comments that destroy self-confidence
- Verbal abuse, intimidation
- Declaring her crazy
- Threats to take the children away from her
- Threats to kill her
Physical violence:
- Hitting, slapping
- Kicking, pushing
- Abuse with objects, burning
Sexualised violence:
- Rape
- Forcing/extorting you to perform sexual acts
- Degrading you to a sex object
Economic violence:
- Not allowing her to work
- She has to ask for money
- Taking money away or dividing it up
Social violence:
- Isolation by forbidding contact with friends and family
- Constant control of what she does with whom
Stalking:
- Stalking, watching and following someone
- Unwanted contact (phone calls, text messages, emails, etc.)
- verbal abuse, threats
Misjudgement of the relationship with the victim often by ex-partners, but also possible by strangers
Consequences of violence
What is the impact of violence?
But no matter what form of violence is used, it always leaves its mark on those affected. The consequences are manifold – from health restrictions and psychological complaints to social and financial losses.
Physical consequences:
- Injuries
- Functional impairments, permanent disabilities
- Pregnancy complications
- Miscarriages/low birth weight of children, sexually transmitted diseases, inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries
- Gastrointestinal disorders
Psychological consequences:
- Post-traumatic stress disorders
- Depression, anxiety, sleep disorders
- Panic attacks, eating disorders
- Lack of motivation, loss of self-esteem and self-worth
- Psychosomatic symptoms
Social consequences:
- unwanted pregnancies
- Relationship and communication problems
- Job loss, isolation
- Loss of family, circle of friends, fear of child abandonment, fear of ostracism
Financial consequences:
- Over-indebtedness
- Poverty, unemployment, reduced pension
- Health-threatening (survival) strategies
- Smoking
- Pill, alcohol and drug abuse, high-risk sexual behaviour
Fatal consequences:
- Accident
- Killing by the abuser, suicide