What is National Domestic Violence Prevention Month?
National Domestic Violence Prevention takes place in October and provides the opportunity for different resources and advocates to come together and spread more awareness of domestic violence to try to prevent and end domestic violence. Awareness about domestic violence must be spread because of the dangers that can come with it, and to prevent the abuse from happening. It is estimated that around 10 million people in the United States are affected by domestic violence every year (Huecker et al., 2023). Bear Creek Counseling is dedicated to protecting and supporting victims and survivors of abuse, as well as preventing domestic violence.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence can appear in several forms and can affect anyone regardless of background. Some of the common forms of domestic violence are physical, mental, financial, or sexual. Domestic abuse can also be behaviors that have the intention to manipulate, intimidate, humiliate, scare, or physically injure someone. These behaviors can become a pattern that an abuser uses to have power and control over the person who is being abused, and is often more about having that control and power over the victim than anger itself. Some of the reasons abusers want to control people are jealousy, substance abuse, growing up in a home where domestic violence was viewed as normal, feelings of inferiority, and poor anger management (Huecker et al., 2023). It is important to take domestic abuse seriously, as it can result in critical injuries and death.
Warning Signs
Because of the dangers of domestic violence, the early signs of domestic abuse must be noticed, and it is imperative that you trust your instincts once you start to notice the signs of domestic abuse. No one should be abused, and if you are experiencing any of the following signs of domestic violence, it is suggested that you talk to someone about it. If you do not receive support, likely, the abuse will not end (United Nations, n.d.).
What are the warning signs of domestic violence? Below are some of the signs of domestic abuse to keep track of:
Signs that someone is a domestic abuser:
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- Embarrassing you in public or in front of friends and family
- Dismissing or criticizing accomplishments
- Making you feel hesitant and indecisive about your decisions
- Threatening or intimidating you to do what they say
- Expressing that you are nothing without them
- Rough behavior, such as shoving, pushing, or grabbing
- Consistently calling or showing up to check where you are
- Blaming their substance use as an excuse for abuse or harmful words
- Pressuring for sexual actions you don’t want to consent to
- Making you feel trapped in the relationship with no escape
- Isolating you from friends and family
- Preventing you from leaving during and after a fight
- Physical violence
- Verbal insults
- Not allowing you to have financial independence
- Destruction of any personal property
- Harming pets or animals
Signs you are a victim of domestic abuse:
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- Feeling scared or nervous about how your partner will behave
- Making constant excuses for their behavior
- Feeling like changing yourself will cause them to change
- Avoiding actions that could cause tension or anger
- Only doing what your partner wants and putting your wants aside
- Fear of what your partner will do if you break up with them
- Feeling like you are not an equal to your partner
How Does Domestic Violence Affect Mental Health?
Victims of domestic violence can become affected with several different types of mental and physical health issues. Domestic violence can raise the potential for developing depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide for the victims. It can also cause the victims to isolate, develop anxiety, and panic, which can eventually cause them to become depressed and develop suicidal ideation and low self-esteem (American Psychiatric Association, n.d.). The physical issues can range greatly, and in the worst cases, they can end in death.
Because of the high risk of developing mental health issues and physical health issues, the healing process from domestic violence and abuse is essential and possible.
It is important that if you have been affected by domestic violence, you start to get professional help to address the trauma that has been endured. With trauma-informed therapy, you can begin the healing process. Some of the therapies that can be helpful include Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, EMDR, and group therapy. Bear Creek Counseling currently offers therapy services designed to support the healing process.
How Do You Support a Victim of Domestic Violence?
When it comes to supporting someone who has been experiencing domestic abuse, it can be difficult to know what to do or how to support them correctly. Here are some steps that you can take to become a strong support for the person in your life who has been affected by domestic violence:
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- Educate yourself and others on the different types of abuse and resources that are available
- Active listening without judgement
- Avoiding victim blaming or pressuring
- Help them find professional help
- Contribute to promoting awareness and a call to action for change
- Create a safe space for them
- Assist them with a safety plan
- Don’t post information about them on social media
Resources:
It can be difficult to understand where to turn to for help and know how to find resources. Below is a list of resources ranging from hotlines, advice, and resources to help you find a domestic violence shelter if needed.
Hotlines:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or text START to 88788. Available online chat as well.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) or Chat
Loveisrespect (for teens & young adults): – 1-866-331-9474, or text “loveis” to 22522
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Call or text 1-800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453), or chat online.
Local Resources:
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Provides support for Utah residents ranging from emergency shelters, food, transportation, counseling, etc.
Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault: Provides resources for sexual assault victims, including sexual assault testing kit tracking, a hotline, LGBTQIA+ resources, and rape crisis centers.
South Valley Services: Provides a variety of resources, including an emergency shelter that provides emergency housing, food, case management, and a hotline.
YWCA Utah: Provides a hotline, case management, drop-in child care, community resources, food services, etc
Educational:
Oslund Udo Little: Learn more about the signs and symptoms of child abuse, as well as the resources and treatments available to help.
National Library of Medicine: Provides descriptions of domestic violence, warning signs, and consequences.
American Psychiatric Association website: Learn more about domestic violence and what kinds of treatments are available.
Helping Survivors: A proud partner of RAINN, this resource provides information and support for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. It offers helpful tools and guidance for victims and their families, with new resources added regularly.
If you are currently affected by domestic violence, remember that you are not alone, and there is support for you, even if you are being told otherwise. Please remember that being abused is never your fault. We must spread awareness and support those who are victims of domestic abuse and continue the conversation so that we can bring the abuse to an end. Bear Creek Counseling is dedicated to preventing abuse and supporting those who have been affected by domestic violence with trauma-informed care and empathy.
“It’s not your fault, whatever has happened, you did not 'deserve it'; No one deserves this treatment or abuse. Eventually, the torment and pain will make you question what is actually happening. Don’t be afraid to get help. Don’t let them win, fight with every ounce of strength you have left, especially in those really dark times when you cannot see the way forward, you feel worthless, or question everything you do and why you are doing it. The true you will come through this; you will win this battle. Don’t allow the shame and embarrassment to ruin your life further. There are people out there who genuinely care and love you for who you are.” (Childhood Sexual Abuse survivor – Anon)
Citations:
United Nations. (n.d.). What is domestic abuse? https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/what-is-domestic-abuse
Huecker, M. R., King, K. C., Jordan, G. A., & Smock, W. (2023, April 9). Domestic violence. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499891/
American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). Domestic violence. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/domestic-violence#:~:text=Being%20a%20victim%20of%20domestic,PTSD)%2C%20depression%20and%20suicide.&text=Exposure%20to%20traumatic%20events%20can,and%20suicidal%20thoughts%20or%20behavior
