Who Suffers

The Victim
Victims can be male or female. Victims may suffer:

• Serious physical injury - temporary or permanent; can result in death
• Emotional disturbances - depression, loss of self-esteem, unreasonable fear, feelings of helplessness and worthlessness
• Work problems - cannot go to work because of injuries, may lose independent income, job ability may suffer, may suffer from lack of concentration

For the Abused
Domestic violence is typically a cycle of abuse. It continues to go around and around until the relationship ends. Sometimes, when intervention is too late, death ends the cycle. Unfortunately children in domestic violence relationships develop their own cycles and the abuse continues to grow.

Women and men who experience violence often request that the charges against their spouses/relationships be dropped because:

• They were promised the abuse wouldn't happen again
• They believed the abuse was their fault
• They were afraid the abuser would be put in prison and/or fired from work
• They needed the money for children and living expenses

Abusers May Suffer

• Depression, desperation, guilt, and shame
• Loss of self-esteem, which can lead to continued violent impulses
• Legal difficulties including fines and imprisonment
• Work problems including loss of job and income
• Violence from their victim in attempts to protect self or vindicate past abuse
• Continuation of violent behavior unless the abuser seeks help

Children May Suffer

• Depression, desperation, guilt, and shame
• Loss of self-esteem, which can lead to continued violent impulses
• Legal difficulties including fines and imprisonment
• Work problems including loss of job and income
• Violence from their victim in attempts to protect self or vindicate past abuse
• Continuation of violent behavior unless the abuser seeks help

(Adapted from What Everyone Should Know About Family Violence,Channing L. Bete Co Inc. 1992)