Domestic Violence - Psych Central

Domestic Violence Articles

More Teenagers are Being Exposed to Violence

Exposure to interpersonal violence is taking a toll on adolescent America. A study has found that roughly 16 percent of boys and 19 percent of girls may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive ... Read more... »

Why Do Abused Victims Stay?

It can be difficult for many people to understand why a person would stay in an abusive relationship. But there are many reasons. Strong emotional and psychological forces keep the victim tied to the abuser. ... Read more... »

Domestic Violence: Where to Seek Help

If you think you are in an abusive relationship, you can go to a number of people for help. Be careful, however, to keep your search a secret from your abuser. If your abuser ... Read more... »

Domestic Violence Doesn’t Discriminate

Psychological abuse can be hard to recognize because it doesn’t produce physical scars. Yet many women agree that it is actually much harder to bear than physical abuse, according to Elaine Weiss, Ed.D. of the ... Read more... »

Who Are the Victims of Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence can happen in any relationship, regardless of ethnic group, income level, religion, education or sexual orientation. Abuse may occur between a married people, or between an unmarried people living together or in a ... Read more... »

Symptoms of Domestic Violence

Abusive relationships have a powerful psychological impact on the victims. Victims of an abusive relationship may experience some of the following emotions and behaviors: Agitation, anxiety and chronic apprehension Constant state of alertness that makes it difficult ... Read more... »

Steps to Address Domestic Violence

Break the Silence Victims should talk to family, friends, neighbors or co-workers about the domestic violence they experience. It may be helpful to call a domestic violence hotline for information, referrals and support. Develop a Safety Plan When ... Read more... »

Domestic Violence Organizations and Resources

Hotlines There are local, state and national support systems available to help victims of domestic violence. They can help with housing, legal information, welfare, treatment and counseling. For a list of local and state domestic violence ... Read more... »

Self Quiz: Am I in an Abusive Relationship?

Below are some questions and checklists to help you determine if you are in an abusive relationship. Answer the questions honestly. If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you may be a ... Read more... »

The Common Pattern of Domestic Violence

In 1979, psychologist Lenore Walker found that many violent relationships follow a common pattern or cycle. The entire cycle may happen in one day or it may take weeks or months. It is different for ... Read more... »

Men as Victims of Abuse in Heterosexual Relationships

While it occurs far less often than men battering women, women sometimes batter their male partners. How often women abuse men is the subject of much debate. Studies report that women are victims of domestic violence ... Read more... »

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is when one partner in an intimate relationship abuses the other. The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional or a combination of all three. Physical abuse can include very aggressive acts, such as beatings ... Read more... »

The Physical and Emotional Injuries of Domestic Violence

All victims of domestic violence can be physically and emotionally injured. However, because of general strength differences between men and women, women are six to seven times more likely to receive serious physical injuries than ... Read more... »

Understanding Domestic Violence

Domestic violence, or violence in the family unit, with women and children as primary victims, is a major public health problem. Domestic violence constitutes a pattern of abusive behavior that includes the use or threat of ... Read more... »

Telling Family and Friends about Your Abuse

If you are like most people in abusive relationships, you have kept your abuse hidden from your close relatives and friends. When you do tell them, they may react in several different ways. First, your family ... Read more... »

Happiness depends on ourselves.
-- Aristotle

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