Abuse refers to physical, emotional, sexual, economic, or psychological harm caused by a disruption in the balance of power and control in relationships. Abuse can threaten the physical, emotional, or economic security of the victims and negatively impact their lives.
Contents
The effects of abuse can cause significant physical and emotional harm to the victims. Victims may experience emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, fear, shame, guilt, or lack of self-confidence. Additionally, physical injuries may occur in cases of sexual abuse.
The effects of abuse can have long-term impacts on the victims' lives and may lead to difficulties in areas such as work, family, and social relationships. However, victims can overcome these effects with support and therapy.
Abuse and Its Symptoms
Physical force or power used intentionally to cause physical harm to oneself, another person, a group, or a community, which increases the likelihood of psychological harm, death, developmental problems, or deprivation, or is used in a threatening or actual manner, as defined by the World Health Organization in 2002.
Violence is behavior or an approach that leads to individuals being harmed, subdued, angered, or emotionally pressured.
Domestic Violence
“The endangerment of an individual's life, body, psychological integrity, or freedom within the family by using force or coercion.”
Violence Against Women
“Any act of violence based on gender that causes or could cause physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, in both private and public life.” (UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 1992)
Types of Violence Experienced by Women in the Family
- 1. Neglect, which means insufficient physical and emotional care,
- 2. Emotional-psychological violence, meaning lack of understanding, love, and sympathy,
- 3. Verbal violence consisting of threats, humiliation, belittling, intimidation, harassment, etc.,
- 4. Physical violence such as pushing, slapping, injuring, hitting, burning, etc.,
- 5. Sexual violence, which includes incest, rape, and forcing prostitution, as a higher form of physical violence.
Psychological Conditions of Women Experiencing Violence
- Extreme fear
- Timidity
- Silence and shyness
- Insomnia, fatigue
- Overreaction to sounds
- Dizziness, inability to stand
- Forgetfulness
- Anger outbursts
- Self-blame
- Inability to plan for the future
- Insecurity
- Inability to make eye contact while speaking
- Frequent crying spells
- Difficulty forming coherent sentences
Child Abuse
Physical abuse is the most recognized form of abuse and is defined as “any behavior that results in physical trauma or injuries without being accidental.”
Physical abuse injuries include pinching, biting, hitting, kicking, burning, attempting to suffocate by closing the mouth, violently shaking, or any other action that harms the child's body.
Some of these injuries may occur accidentally while a child is playing; however, the location and frequency of the injuries may raise suspicion of physical abuse.
The emotional trauma caused by physical abuse does not heal as quickly as physical injuries. Emotional harm often becomes evident when many abused children, especially those who were physically abused, become abusive parents themselves.
Effects of Physical Abuse
Short-Term Effects: Bruises, fractures
Long-Term Effects:
Low self-esteem: It is observed that most children who experience physical abuse have low or weak self-esteem. These children may refuse to engage in social activities with peers and may experience feelings of helplessness or hopelessness that could lead to self-harm.
Aggressive, destructive, and sometimes illegal behaviors: Violent behaviors, like other behaviors, are learned. Children who witness or experience domestic violence are highly likely to adopt this behavior as a problem or conflict-solving method.
Threats, aggressive behavior toward themselves and others, carrying sharp objects...
Anger and Revenge Feelings
They may have difficulty expressing their emotions and themselves; they may have unrealistic expectations in relationships.
Passive or withdrawal behavior: Some children who are physically abused may adopt passive or withdrawn behaviors in meeting their needs and dealing with violence. If they continue to adopt this victim role as adults, they may face significant interpersonal relationship problems.
Anxiety, fear, nightmares, running away from home, unhappiness or symptoms of depression
School problems and failure: Children who experience or are exposed to violence at home tend to use physical aggression in problem-solving at school, often have low academic success, attention deficit problems, and engage in school avoidance behaviors.
Substance abuse: Alcohol or other substance dependency may be used as a way to escape from the violence. The likelihood of this is increased if the parents also have substance abuse issues.
Family Characteristics in Child Physical Abuse
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Economic hardship
- Death or divorce of a partner
- Physical or mental illness in the family
- Having a large number of children
In families where sexual abuse is common; divorce, violence, alcohol and substance use, sexual problems, social isolation, dominant and unconditional parental expectations, and role conflicts are prevalent.
In Children Who Have Experienced Sexual Abuse:
- Anxiety disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Desire to sleep with their clothes on
- Neglecting personal hygiene
- Stomach pain or gynecological complaints
- Physical complaints, fear responses
