Domestic Abuse & Health

Suffering from domestic abuse will have an affect on both a victims mental and physical health.  Domestic abuse is a major public health issue involving both victims as well children living in the household who may witness the abuse, or even become involved in the violence.  Every year, £1.2 billion is spent by the National Health Service from dealing with physical injuries alone as a result of domestic abuse.

Physical effects

Physical effects of domestic abuse can involve broken bones, bruising, hair loss and burns, some of which may be long term resulting in permanent injury such as missing teeth, scars, and brain damage due to persistent blows to the head.  At its extreme, domestic abuse can result in death with two women every week being killed by a current or former partner.

Psychological effects

Psychological effects of domestic abuse, both in childhood and adulthood, is a common factor in depression and anxiety and may lead to sleep disorders, self harming and eating disorders for example.  
Victims already diagnosed with mental health disorders may find it harder to report domestic abuse due to the stigma attached to having mental health disorders, fearful that they may not be believed. 
Perpetrators may use a victims mental health to abuse them further, suggesting that the victim would not be able to cope without them, threatening to take the children away, or withholding medication for example. 
Women suffering domestic abuse are three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression, and five times more likely to attempt suicide

Drug/alcohol misuse

Alcohol can trigger arguments between partners and since arguments can trigger further drinking, a cycle of violence and alcohol misuse frequently characterises intimate partner violence. 
As a result of domestic abuse, many victims may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of escaping the violence. 
Perpetrators of domestic abuse may use a victims misuse of alcohol or drugs as an excuse for their violence, but victims must remember that perpetrators are to be held accountable for their actions. 
Offenders often blame alcohol for their violence, however many men are sober when they are violent or they do not drink at all.  When alcohol is involved, incidents tend to be more serious and result in greater injury. 
Research has shown that women experiencing domestic violence are fifteen times more likely to abuse alcohol and nine times more likely to abuse drugs.

If you are worried about your health as a result of domestic abuse, you can:

• Consult your GP, midwife, Health Visitor or Community Mental Health Team
• View the full Directory of Resources under 'Posters and Leaflets' to access details of both local and national agencies who provide specific services for mental health, or alcohol/substance misuse.