Many people think that abuse is not that big of a deal. Some even suggest that it only effects the women.

This is far from the truth. Abuse affects everyone. Not just the women and children going through it but eventually it will affect all of society.

Here is a guide to what is here:
Effects of Abuse on Women
Effects of Abuse on Children
Effects of Abuse on Men
Effects of Abuse on Society
Long Term Effects

Effects of Battering overtime on others:

WOMEN
* Isolation from others
* Low self esteem
* Depression
* Increased alcoholo or drug abuse
* Emotional problems
* Illness
* Pains and injuries
* Permanent physical damage
* Death

CHILDREN

* Emotional problems
* Illness
* Increased fears
* Anger
* Increased risk of abuse, injuries, and death
* Repetition of abuse behavior

MEN

* Increased belief that power and control are achieved by violence
* Increase in violent behavior
* Increased contact with law enforcement
* Increased emotional problems
* Decreased self-esteem

SOCIETY

* Increase in crime
* Increase in legal, police, medical and counselling costs.
* Cost of prison
* Perpetuation of cycle of violence
* Perpetuation of myths of inequality of women and men
* Decrease in quality of life.

Long Term Effects


* Battered women suffer physical and mental problems as a result of domestic violence.

* Domestic violence is the single major cause of injury to women, more significant that auto accidents, rapes, or muggings.

* Emotional and psychological abuse is more costly to treat in the short-run than physical injury.

* Physical injuries sustained by women seem to cause medical difficulties as women grow older.

* Battered women lose jobs as a result of illnesses - due to illness and battering

* Battered women lose family and friends because the batterer has already isolated them from family and friends. Embarrassment causes further isolation.

* Battered women lose their financail ability to work due to illnesses, battering and constant moving to avoid more battering.

The long term effects on children are another issue.

* One Third of all children who witness battering demonstrate behavioral and/or emotional problems, psychosomatic disorders, stutterin, anxiety, fears, sleep disruption, excessive crying and school problems. (Jaffe et al, 1990; Hilberman & Munson, 1977-78)

* Boys who have witnessed their father's abuse are at high risk to be abusers themselves.

*Girls who have witnessed abuse are more apt to accept abuse in their own lives later on.

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