Effects of Domestic and Intimate Violence

Survivors of domestic violence often face numerous ongoing challenges and effects after experiencing such traumatic events. It takes a lot of bravery and resilience to recover and adapt to a safe environment, especially when the perpetrator has been violent or has committed these actions for long periods. We want to acknowledge that the healing journey can be long and difficult, but we want you to know that you are not alone. Below are some of the many impacts that domestic violence can have on individuals, and we stand with you and support you through it all.

Short-term Effects of Intimate Violence

• Shock: numbing, denial, shaking, feeling cold, crying, nausea, flashbacks, confusion, disorientation 
• Powerlessness and loss of control 
• Fear of repeated violence and retaliation by an offender, other’s reactions and the system's response, emotional and sexual intimacy 
• Guilt, self-blame 
• Shame, embarrassment 
• Anger, rage 
• Sadness, sense of loss, grief 
• Sense of betrayal 
• Self disgust, self-hatred 
• Degradation, humiliation 
• Anxiety or panic attacks 
• Sleep disturbances: insomnia, nightmares, and night sweats 
• Flashbacks, intrusive memories  
• Loss of confidence, self-doubt 
• Emotional and social isolation 
• Feelings of entrapment and being under siege

Effects of Domestic Violence on Children 

• Grief for family and personal losses. 
• Shame, guilt, and self-blame. 
• Confusion and conflicting feelings toward parents. 
• Fear of abandonment, expressing emotions, the unknown, or personal injury. 
• Anger 
• Depression and feelings of helplessness and powerlessness. 
• Embarrassment

Behavioral Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

• Acting out or withdrawing. 
• Aggressive or passive. Refusing to go to school. 
• Caretaking; acting as a parent substitute. Lying to avoid confrontation. Rigid defenses. Excessive attention seeking. 
• Bedwetting and nightmares. 
• Out-of-control behavior. 
• Reduced intellectual competency. 
• Manipulation, dependency, and mood swings

Social Effects of Domestic Violence on Children 

• Isolation from Friends and Relatives. 
• Stormy relationships. 
• Difficulty in trusting, especially adults. 
• Poor anger management and problem-solving skills. 
• Excessive social involvement to avoid home. 
• Passivity with peers or bullying. 
• Engaged in exploitative relationships as perpetrator or victim.

Physical Effects of Domestic Violence on Children 

• Somatic complaints, headaches, and stomachaches. 
• Nervous, anxious, short attention span. 
• Tired and lethargic. 
• Frequently ill. 
• Poor personal hygiene. 
• Regression in development. High-risk play. Self abuse.

Long-Term Effects of Intimate Partner Violence 

• Depression
• Suicide (ideation, attempted, or actual) 
• Homicide (ideation, attempted, or actual) 
• Relationship problems (fear of emotional and sexual intimacy, loss of trust) 
• Mood Swings (feelings of "going crazy") 
• Inability to concentrate 
• Sudden onset of or increase in: eating disorders, substance abuse, compulsive behaviors (work, food, sex, etc.), self-harming behaviors, agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), anxiety/panic attacks, intrusive memories, flashbacks, ongoing sleep disturbances 
• Emotional and social isolation 
• Continued feelings of fear, guilt and self-blame, self-hatred, powerlessness, betrayal anger, rage, grief, and sadness 
• Questioning religious beliefs, social norms, personal integrity, and relationships with family, friends 
• Diminished self-esteem, sense of worthlessness 
• Chronic physical complaints: indigestion, headaches, muscle and joint pain, back pain, changes in menses, uterine and/or abdominal cramps, and fatigue