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    Patient Information

Abuse and Violence

Iowa Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-800-942-0333


Abuse includes different behaviors used to establish power and control over the victim.  This includes physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.  Often, because of guilt or shame, the victim does not report the abuse.

  • 3 to 4 million American women are battered each year
  • Battering occurs in all races, age groups, economic and educational groups
  • Battering of women is the most underreported crime in America
  • A battering is rarely an isolated event
  • Battering tends to increase and become more violent over time
  • Many batterers learned violent behaviors growing up in an abusive family
  • 25 to 45% of all women who are battered are battered during pregnancy

Battering may begin or become worse during pregnancy.

Risks of Violence

  • Battering may lead to miscarriage, low birth weight infant, or direct injury to the baby.
  • Battering may lead to alcohol or drug abuse by the woman.
  • Men who abuse their partners often abuse their children.

The Cycle of Violence

Phase 1

  • Increase tension
  • Anger
  • Blaming
  • Arguing

Phase 2

  • Sexual abuse
  • Verbal threats
  • Battering
  • Hitting
  • Slapping
  • Kicking
  • Choking
  • Use of weapons

Phase 3

  • Calm stage
  • Denial of Violence
  • Abuser may say he was drunk
  • Abuser says he is sorry
  • Abuser promises never to do it again

Effects of Domestic Violence

Women

Children

Men

  • Isolation
  • Emotional problems
  • Increased belief power/control are achieved by violence
  • Low self esteem
  • Fear
  • Anger and increased threats of violence or violent behavior
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Permanent physical damage
  • Anger
  • Injuries
  • Possessiveness, may keep close watch on partner or keep her away from her friends
  • Pain and injuries: usually to the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and breasts
  • Increased risk of abuse
  • Death
  • Increased emotional problems:  moody behaviors alternated with charming behaviors
  • Death of the woman
  • Repetition of abuse behavior
  • Increased legal problems
  • Killing of abuser
  • Decreased self-esteem
  • Emotional problems--depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, eating disorders, thoughts of suicide

IOWA DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE

1-800-942-0333

Peer Review Status: Internally
Peer Review Date: 2004

 

Last modification date: Thu Aug 23 12:28:57 2007
URL: http://www.uihealthcare.com /depts/med/obgyn/patedu/abuse.html