When physical domestic violence takes place, it sometimes gets the most attention from the media. One only has to look at the cases involving Ray Rice and Jeffery Taylor, both of whom are professional athletes, to see how this works. However, some professionals caution that physical violence may only happen after other types of abuse have already taken place.
For example, sexual abuse could happen first, or people could be victimized by stalking and other such actions. These can be dangerous, even though the physical evidence — such as black eyes — may not be there.
Professionals have also pointed to the psychological impact of a lot of domestic violence, which can have a lasting impact. They say that many people who commit these acts really just want to be in power, and they exploit the weaknesses in others to get it. They also may play psychological games, such as making excuses for what they have done or apologizing, even though they do not actually change their behavior.
This can be hard for people in intimate relationships because they have feelings for the abusers. This can lead to quite an emotional toll, even in the early stages, before physical violence begins.
While it is hard to get solid numbers since some cases are not reported, estimates show that about 25 percent of women and 10 percent of men may be the victims of domestic violence.
Whether people are facing simple verbal abuse, stalking or even physical abuse, it is important for them to know what they can do, legally, in order to get out of the situation and protect themselves.
Source: The Famuan, “Domestic Violence is bigger than black eyes” Khadijah McCoy, Oct. 09, 2014