Domestic violence is something that can happen to anyone. Statewide, there have been 25 deaths and another 26 near-fatal incidents due to domestic assaults this year in Wisconsin. Two-thirds of the deaths are attributed to stabbings and firearms. The vast majority of victims are women. The abusers tend to have a need for control, with the methods often getting more severe over time, and also have trouble controlling their anger.
Anyone can be the victim or aggressor when it comes to domestic violence as it strikes all economic strata and types. The Family Center in Wisconsin Rapids has provided help to those who are victims of domestic violence for more than 30 years, averaging 60 families every year. Domestic violence may also be a learned behavior, meaning that abusers may have grown up in living conditions where violence occurred. Abusers may have been victims of violence themselves or seen violence often. Also, being under the influence may contribute to the problem as a person who is drunk or high may have less control of his or her violent impulses.
Domestic violence can involve physical, emotional or sexual abuse, and it can be the root of future issues for victims. Effects from domestic violence could include physical, psychological and social problems that may be difficult to overcome. The importance of detecting and dealing with the underlying quickly cannot be overstated given the risks to all of those involved. Once it has been recognized as a problem, therapy can begin, as well as solutions to the problem itself, such as separation or divorce.
Source: Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, “Domestic violence — it’s closer than you think,” DaNita Carlson, Oct. 1, 2012
