Domestic Violence & How It Affects People

By: Janalys A. Cortes

 TRIGGER
WARNING
EMOTIONAL CONTENT
Research Question:

How Does Domestic Abuse Affect Physical &

Mental Health?
Thesis:
Domestic violence directly affects both people’s physical
health and mental state. Such violent experiences and
relationships cause both mental and physical trauma.
Why Did I Choose This Topic ?
● This topic interests me because it’s a deep topic that needs to continue to
be brought to light. And this specific topic effects both genders and
sometimes including their offspring.

● My connection to this topic is I have family members who have been in

abusive relationships and have caused negative effects on the parents and
their children’s physical and mental health.
 Definitions of Abuse
Physical Abuse - Is any type of violent behavior that is inflicted on the victim this includes hitting, biting,
slapping, cutting, and shoving, etc.

Sexual Abuse - Is any action forced upon the victim to construct any type of sexual act which is also
considered as rape.

Emotional Abuse - Involves belittling the victim and their self worth by attacking them with rude
comments.

Economic Abuse - Is when the victim is heavily reliant on their abuser, the abuser also controls the victims
finances and their funds. (economical abuse is also the practice of keeping the victim from attending work
or school by simply manipulating the victim.)

Psychological Abuse - Is when the abuser mentally manipulates the victim by intimidating them or
invoking fear.
 Statistics About How Many People Experience Domestic Violence
● “Females ages 18 to 24, and 25 to 34 generally experienced the highest rates of intimate

partner violence.”

● “From April 2014 to March 2017, 73% of victims of domestic homicides were women.”

● According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1 in 7 men age 18 and up approximately 13.8% of men

in the U.S. are victims of severe physical and intimate violence.

Races Most Affected By Domestic Abuse
● “African American females are more likely to experience domestic abuse at a rate of 35% higher than white females
and about 2.5 times the rate of any other race.

● It was also found that 60% of immigrant Korean women were getting battered by their husbands.

● ”According to the National Violence Against Women Survey, 23.4% Hispanic/Latino females are victimized by
intimate partner violence in a lifetime, defined by rape, physical assault or stalking.”
Why Domestic Violence Is Not Talked About
● “Too often, rape survivors who decide to speak out are simply told that it was their fault.”

● “Victims who are dissuaded from talking about their assaults with family and friends, will be less likely to tell law
enforcement about them.”

● Most sexual assault cases go under-reported and most victims who decide to go through with the reports end up
with additional trauma as they attempt to navigate through the criminal justice system.

● More reasons as to why else they might not speak up is because they believe that no one will believe them, or are afraid to lose
custody of their child, & some feel like they cannot financially support themselves without their partners help.
Interview With Ms.Jenny Pt. 1

1. Why do you think DV cases go

unreported? “It's not the typical petty crime where the
criminal is a stranger and you never have to
see the person ever again. Sometimes, it is a
provider that the spouse depends on.”
2. What are some signs of domestic
violence teachers and staff can look
“Being very timid, scared, jumpy, and not
for?
direct because they don't want to get their
provider in trouble, second-guessing
themselves a lot, unable to identify that what
was said and done was wrong.”
Interview With Ms.Jenny Pt. 2
3. How can domestic violence
affect people emotionally?
4. I read that Black and Latino
people are 3x more likely to
experience domestic violence --
why do you think that is?
“Studies have shown that prolonged
trauma to the brain can manifest in
physical and socioeconomic issues.
Some people may really end up hurting
themselves by not understanding what real,
respectful love can be.”
“It would be very cheap to say that "it's in
their culture of machismo" but it's also a
traumatized system, riddled with racism.
Not many WOC would reach out because
they are afraid that the help would not help
them and hurt them further. Also, many
women do not want the attention of
DHS and the law.”
What Did I Learn
● I learned that domestic violence does not only affect someone's physical health but also their
mental health.
● Domestic abuse can play into so many things but if it is not presentented as an okay topic to talk
about no one will talk about it.
● By talking about this global problem it can help shed light on the whole situation. This cannot simply
be fixed overnight but it is a process and if I've learned anything about researching this topic, it's
that we need to be able to push the issue in a safe and calm manner to address this problem
whether it’s broadcasting more ads, speaking about in school to help spread awareness to the
youth and future generations, or even just by providing a person with information like numbers and
websites, also talking about it at home if possible, and encouraging others to speak out and tell
their own truths without being judged and or thinking it’s their own fault.
Conclusion
In conclusion my thesis is that domestic violence directly affects both people’s physical health and
mental health. Such violent experiences and relationships cause problems both mental and physical
trauma.

People should really push the issue to talk about this situation because not only does this happen world
wide this is a serious situation that gets overlooked by many. And rarely ever get reported If you or
someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at
1−800−799−7233 or visit https://www.thehotline.org/ to speak with people through online chats to
help you through tough times and if your in serious danger hang up and call 911.
Sources/ Bibliography
“Women of Color Network Facts & Stats : Domestic Violence in Communities of Color.” Women of Color Network, June 2006,
www.doj.state.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/women_of_color_network_facts_domestic_violence_2006.pdf.

“Domestic Violence Education in Schools .” Study.com, Study.com, 0AD,

study.com/academy/lesson/domestic-violence-education-in-schools.html.

“What Is Domestic Abuse: Domestic Violence Definition.” Center for Family Justice,
centerforfamilyjustice.org/faq/domestic-violence/.

“Domestic Violence.” The United States Department of Justice, 16 May 2019, www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence.

“What Is the Definition of Domestic Violence?” Edited by FindLaw's Team, Findlaw, 3 Oct. 2018,
family.findlaw.com/domestic-violence/what-is-domestic-violence.html.

“Statistics.” The National Domestic Violence Hotline, www.thehotline.org/resources/statistics/.

“What Is Domestic Abuse?” Womens Aid, www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/.

Twitter, Tara Culp-Ressler. “Even Though Domestic Violence Is Incredibly Widespread, Most Americans Don't Talk About It.”
ThinkProgress, 24 Sept. 2013,
thinkprogress.org/even-though-domestic-violence-is-incredibly-widespread-most-americans-dont-talk-about-it-24c9b5233a81/

“Why Domestic Violence Goes Unreported.” Talking Parents,

talkingparents.com/blog/july-2019/why-domestic-violence-goes-unreported.
Thank You!
Any Question?