Domestic violence refers to a family member continuously and intentionally using violent or controlling behaviours to another member. Abusive behaviours are common towards intimate partner, child and elderly.
Formats of domestic violence include:
- Physical abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect the one who cannot look after onself
Impacts on DV victims
Domestic violence usually has long impacts on victims, including:
- Physically – wounds, disability, even death
- Psychologically– emotionally unstable, may have depression or PTSD, some of them even have suicidal thoughts or behaviours
- Victims have to face many challenges on daily life, e.g. moving out, divorce, losing the financial support, undergoing treatment due to physically or psychologically hurt
- Socially – Withdraw and stay alone due to lack of confidence and don’t know how to tell friends or relatives about domestic violence experiences
When conflicts happen,
- Don't quarrel or stimulate him/her
- Keep calm and escape as soon as possible
- If you cannot escape, don’t stay at washroom, kitchen or anywhere with sharp objects
- Escape with a mobile phone
- Call the police at 999
