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Leslie Carpio
Professor Ogden
English 1A
20 June 2015
Domestic Violence: End the Cycle
Domestic violence is an aggressive and violent behavior that an offender uses in a
relationship to gain or maintain power and control over the target. Domestic violence is a serious
issue that effects ten million individuals a year regardless of race, age, gender, married or single,
and in the United States 1 in 15 children are exposed to this violence. Domestic violence has
been affecting our nation for many years and it was behavior that was considered normal, a
part of marriage or in intimate relationships. It was not until the 1970s that domestic violence
was defined as crime by the criminal justice system, but because this behavior is mostly acted
behind closed doors and society does not see the effect it has on individuals. It goes unreported
and continues until the victims attempt to escape, which can be difficult because 75% of victims
are killed in the process of escaping or after the relationship has ended. Unfortunately, many
people continue to be affected by this difficult situation and it is not at a level to get national
recognition that would help educate individuals and initiate a widespread awareness on how to
prevent and/or end the problem. Many people believe they would never become a victim but how
do they know for certain if many of them are not aware of the signs of abuse and how this
situation can affect the victim emotionally, physically, and the damages it cause to children who
are eyewitnesses to such horrible violence.
Firstly, physical abuse is something that does not go on noticed. It is very obvious when a
victim has bruising and cuts appearing on the face and/or body, but what goes unnoticed is the

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effect of emotional abuse. Emotional abuse is the use of voice tone, words, action, to humiliate
the victim. It can be difficult to notice as the victim can carry themselves differently in public,
but the obvious can affect the way they work, their schooling, mood, and sex drive. Emotional
abuse is just as severe as physical. An article by G L Roberts from the Department of Psychiatry,
University of Queensland, Australia, researched on a study that compared the mental health of
women who were victims of domestic violence and women who were not. The study showed that
patients who experienced abuse as adults encountered more severe mental health issues than
those who did not experience such action (Roberts). This abuse silently sneaks in without notice
until the abuser is well into the relationship. Many victims are stun of their partners new
behavior and as it continues the victims develop emotions in reaction of the abuse. The shortterm effects include shame, guilt, feeling powerless, feeling as you are walking on eggshells,
becoming passive, and feeling undesirable. Long-term effects are depression, withdrawal, low
self-esteem, suicidal thoughts or attempts, inability to trust, feeling trapped and alone, and in
some cases it can lead to substance abuse. A great resource in recovering from such trauma
would be therapy. GroupTherapy.org explains that there are many types of therapy such as group
therapy that involves a group of survivors to share their similar experiences and create a safe
environment to rebuild self-esteem and confidence. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on
physical perception to help process their emotions towards the traumatic incidence. In addition,
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can also be helpful in freeing memories that
are blocked so that the victim can begin the process in healing (Find the Right Therapist).
Consequently, not very much people know of these services or think it is not affordable, and I
believe this is where society can play a role by publicizing what resources that are available to
assist victims. For example, college students can receive therapy within their college.

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Community mental health centers provide free or low-cost therapy. There are also self-help
books, podcasts and videos such as TED on YouTube.
Secondly, another sign of domestic violence is the noticeable marks of physical abuse.
Signs can involve bruises, cuts, and broken bones. This type of abuse occurs in many different
forms of society, but it is also a misconception that all victims are beaten. In the article from
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Smith reports, non-homicide physical abuse may
include biting, slapping, restraining, shoving, hitting (with or without the use of a weapon),
and/or the threat of physical violence. Some victims may not be physically touched, yet the
threat of physical assault is so pervasive, that victims fear they will be. Often the threat is
directed at individuals other than the victim, such as children or other family members, using the
threat of anothers harm as leverage for the offender to maintain control. Offenders also use
threats against pets to control victim behavior (Smith). In other words physical abuse does not
just involve the body but the threat of physically harming loved ones and animals. In some cases
both men and women lose their jobs because of absenteeism due to illness as a result of the
violence. According to An Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection
(A.A.R.D.V.A.R.C.), the long term result to being battered can effect womens health as they
grow older the chance of developing arthritis, hypertensions, and heart disease are much greater
(Long Term Effects of Domestic Violence). Another matter is victims who are men, The impact
of domestic violence is less apparent and less likely to come to the attention of others
(Hayes). Though there is not enough recognition on men who are being physical abused, this
does not mean it does not happen. Sadly, when men do report physical abuse, most of them feel
they will not be taken seriously and end up feeling unimportant. No matter what sex the victim is
the importance is that everyone receives equal acknowledgment. As a result, hotlines and clinics

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should broadcast their services on a regular basic and not only in the month of domestic violence
because as we all aware this tragedy occurs every second.
Lastly, the effect on children who are exposed to domestic violence can prevent them
from having a normal life. Many parents believe that since the child is young the child would not
remember the incident and hence that it would not affect them. This is untrue, children are like
sponges when they are young and still developing. They listen and observe their surroundings
because they are curious of their environment. A research article by Gayla Margolin and Katrina
Vickerman explain how children who are exposed to domestic violence can develop
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with the development of other mental health issues
(Margolin and Vickermen). The research was conducted on two age groups, Childhood between
birth through 12 years old and Adolescence between 13 through 17 years old. In a short clip
called BBC Dont Hit My Mum, shows an interview with Alesha Dixon and Kelly on how
witnessing domestic abuse as a child effected them still as adults. Alesha explains how the
trauma affected her childhood memories. She is unable to recall any happy moments of her
childhood. Kelly experienced eight years of seeing her mother being abused when she was a
child. Her trauma affected her from staying out from her home for long periods of time because
when she was a child every time she would leave to go outside to play her father often attacked
her mother, so she felt if she stayed in the home she would be able to protect her mother. In other
cases described in "Children Are the 'forgotten Victims' of Violence, Says Leading Charity
Refugee, that being witnesses of such violence can cause long-lasting impacts upon children,
affecting almost all aspects of their development, learning, behavior, relationships, and
psychological well-being (Children Are the 'forgotten Victims' of Violence, Says Leading Charity
Refuge). The effect can carry into adulthood in becoming alcoholics, severe depression and low

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self-esteem, violent actions toward partners, criminal behavior, sexual problems, and substance
abuse. Many children see this abuse as part of normal life when in reality it is not. Due to the
serious outcomes that effect children, programs should be offered in schools to educate children
of the danger of domestic violence by providing counseling, pamphlets, classes that involve
group sections so it would encourage children to speak freely and that there are not alone.
In conclusion, the effects of domestic violence is obviously an enormous issue that lacks
the recognition to inform society. For those who see signs of their loved ones being physically
and/or mentally abuse, know how to provide assistance for them, but many are not as fortunate.
We need to educate society by teaching professionals such as doctors, employers, and teachers
how to detect abuse and bring awareness to the victims that help is available. More Ad
campaigns should be developed so society can see how big of this negative impact effects
women, men, and our precious children. Schools can educate children of this issues by providing
a class that would explain what domestic violence is, what the red flags are, and how to get help,
and announce that counseling is provided on school grounds. Society needs to lend a helping
hand when we see this action appear in our communities. I understand the danger of involving
oneself into such situation, but making a single phone call to notify law enforcements can also
help more than you think. Domestic violence is everywhere and if everyone stands up against it,
we can stop the cycle.

Work Cited

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"BBC Dont Hit My Mum 480p [1/4]." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 20 June 2015.
"Children Are the 'forgotten Victims' of Violence, Says Leading Charity Refuge." The
Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, n.d. Web. 20 June 2015.
"Find the Right Therapist." Therapist for Emotional Abuse, Therapy for Emotional Abuse. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 20 June 2015.
Hayes, John. "Introduction." Domestic Violence from Both Sides of the Fence. 2nd ed. N.p.:
Eastern Health Board Dublin, Ireland, 1998. 10. Print.
"Long Term Effects of Domestic Violence." - AARDVARC.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2015.
Roberts, G L, et al. "How Does Domestic Violence Affect Women's Mental Health?." Women &
Health 28.1 (1998): 117-129. MEDLINE. Web. 20 June 2015.
Margolin, Gayla, and Katrina A. Vickerman. "Posttraumatic Stress In Children And Adolescents
Exposed To Family Violence: I. Overview And Issues." Couple And Family Psychology:
Research And Practice 1.S (2011): 63-73. PsycARTICLES. Web. 21 June 2015.
Smith, L. "Domestic violence: an overview." Home Office Planning and Research Unit (HMSO,
London) (1989).