The United States still has a lot of work to do in regard to addressing the prevalence of domestic violence.

In fact, an in-depth story from the Arizona Republic has pointed to the fact that in the last several years, the number of deaths from domestic violence has stayed fairly consistent in Arizona.

While this means there hasn’t really been an increase in deaths, there certainly hasn’t been a decrease either.

Fortunately, researchers are seeking more information about domestic violence and specifically about domestic violence that ends in death. Not surprisingly, much of the research has a mental health aspect.

For example, the article mentioned how substance abuse, depression and estrangement are just some of many risk factors that could increase a battered woman’s chance of eventually being killed by her partner.

Later, the article explained that generally before a battered woman’s life ends at the hands of her partner, there are warning signs. For example, the partner usually engages in a specific kind of abusive behavior called “intimate partner terrorism” or “coercive control.”

“Coercive control is almost exclusively the domain of men,” according to the article. “It is long-term and tyrannical abuse that includes, often in addition to physical violence, attacks on a woman’s self-worth, degrading remarks and obsessive monitoring of her whereabouts and her contact with other people.”

The abuser often has mental health issues like depression or substance abuse, and struggles with obsessive and possessive behavior. In some cases, abusers cope with massive self-shame by severely abusing or killing their partners.

Mental health experts have more insight into how domestic violence can impact mental health, and what issues sometimes predispose people to being in relationships that involve domestic violence.

Nerina Garcia-Arcement, a licensed clinical psychology and a clinical assistant professor at the NYU School of Medicine, said in an email that there is a gradual process that leads from “normal” relationships to relationships involving domestic violence.

“Women don’t enter violent relationships where they are being hit from day one,” Garcia-Arcement said. “They date men that pay attention to them, are possessive and slowly begin to limit their behavior and social interactions (i.e., the woman can’t talk to friends or family as much or at all, or she can’t wear certain things). Often this controlling behavior is couched as ‘loving them.’”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/06/19/domestic-violence-and-mental-health-how-are-intertwined/#ixzz1yRcSCARp

CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) is an ongoing, nationally-representative telephone survey that collects detailed information on sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence victimization of adult women and men in the United States. The survey collects data on past-year experiences of violence as well as lifetime experiences of violence. The 2010 survey is the first year of the survey and provides baseline data that will be used to track trends in sexual violence, stalking and intimate partner violence. CDC developed NISVS to better describe and monitor the magnitude of these forms of violence in the United States.

Highlights of 2010 Findings

Sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence are widespread in the United States. The findings in this report underscore the heavy toll of this violence, the im­mediate impacts of victimization, and the lifelong health consequences.

Women are disproportionally affected by sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking.

• 1.3 million women were raped during the year preceding the survey.

• Nearly 1 in 5 women have been raped in their lifetime while 1 in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime.

• 1 in 6 women have been stalked during their lifetime. 1 in 19 men have experienced stalking in their lifetime.

• 1 in 4 women have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner while 1 in 7 men experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner.

• 81% of women who experienced rape, stalking or physical violence by an intimate partner reported significant short or long term impacts related to the violence experienced in this relationship such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and injury while 35% of men report such impacts of their experiences.

• Women who had experienced rape or stalking by any perpetrator or physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime were more likely than women who did not experience these forms of violence to report having asthma, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Men and women who experienced these forms of violence were more likely to report frequent headaches, chronic pain, difficulty with sleeping, activity limitations, poor physical health and poor mental health than men and women who did not experience these forms of violence.

Female victims of intimate partner violence experienced different patterns of violence than

male victims.

• Female victims experienced multiple forms of these types of violence; male victims most often experi­enced physical violence.

The majority of this victimization starts early in life.

• Approximately 80% of female victims experienced their first rape before the age of 25 and almost half ex­perienced the first rape before age 18 (30% between 11-17 years old and 12% at or before the age of 10).
• About 35% of women who were raped as minors were also raped as adults compared to 14% of women without an early rape history.
• 28% of male victims of rape were first raped when they were 10 years old or younger.

Summary

Overall, lifetime and one year estimates for sexual violence, stalking and intimate partner violence were alarmingly high for adult Americans; with IPV alone affecting more than 12 million people each year. Women are disproportionately impacted. They experienced high rates of severe intimate partner violence, rape and stalking, and long-term chronic disease and other health impacts such as PTSD symptoms. NISVS also shows that most rape and IPV is first experienced before age 24, highlighting the importance of preventing this violence before it occurs to ensure that all people can live life to their fullest potential.

Forty percent of women who report depressive symptoms following birth also reported intimate partner violence finds a new study published today (7 December) in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The study also found that most of the women reporting postnatal depressive symptoms first reported this at six months after birth or later.

Intimate partner violence (both physical and emotional abuse) in the perinatal period is associated with a range of physical and psychological health problems including adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, postnatal depression, and future behavioural problems for children.

This Australian study looked at 1305 nulliparous women. They were recruited from six public hospitals between 6 and 24 weeks of gestation. Written questionnaires were completed at recruitment and at 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum.

Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and intimate partner violence was assessed using the short version of the Composite Abuse Scale.

Information on depressive symptoms was collected at multiple time points, while data on intimate partner violence was only collected at the 12 month follow-up.

The study found that one in six women reported intimate partner violence in the year after having their first baby. Emotional violence was more common than physical violence (14% versus 8%).

Sixteen percent of women reported depressive symptoms in the 12 months postpartum, with most women first reporting depressive symptoms in the second 6 months after birth. Factors associated with postpartum depressive symptoms include: emotional abuse alone, physical abuse, depression in pregnancy and unemployment in early pregnancy.

The significant associations between intimate partner violence and depressive symptoms over the course of the first postpartum year persisted after adjusting for the known confounders of prior depression and relevant socio-demographic characteristics (maternal age, relationship status, and employment status in early pregnancy).

Dr Hannah Woolhouse of the Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Victoria, Australia and co-author of the paper said:

“Depression after childbirth has received a lot of attention in recent decades. Known risk factors for developing postnatal depression include a history of depression, poor partner relationships, stressful life events/social health issues, low social support, and low income. Our findings indicate that intimate partner violence is very common among women reporting postnatal depressive symptoms, and may be an important factor for health professionals to consider in managing postnatal distress.

“In both the UK and Australia, universal screening for depressive symptoms in the first few months after childbirth is now recommended as part of routine perinatal care. However we found that most of the women reporting postnatal depressive symptoms first reported this at six months postpartum or later.

“This finding has major implications for clinical practice as many women who develop depression after six months will be missed. Health professionals should regularly enquire about a woman’s mental health in the 12 months after birth, rather than at one specific time point.”

Professor Philip Steer, Editor of BJOG added:

“This study shows that pregnancy and the postnatal period is a good time to identify and support women who experience both depression and partner violence.

The new guidelines under the Affordable Care Act requires new health insurance plans to cover women’s preventative services such as well woman visits, breast feeding support, domestic violence screening, and contraception without charging a co-payment, co-insurance, or deductible.

The complete list of benefits now covered as part of the new guidelines that will be offered without cost sharing or co-pays will include: FDA-approved contraception methods and contraceptive counseling, human papillomarvirus (HPV) DNA testing for women 30 years and older, sexually transmitted infection counseling, HIV screening and counseling, domestic violence screening and counseling, screening for gestational diabetes, well woman visits and breast feeding support, supplies and counseling.
According to the Associated Press, the Obama administration says the requirement, which affects most insurance plans, is aimed at encouraging women, particularly those who might otherwise not be able to afford it, to get critical health care services that may prevent the onset of disease.

The new guidelines are a major step forward for health care equality , making it easier for women with pricey insurance co-payments, not to have to choose between contraception and groceries. Currently, the average woman in the U.S. pays somewhere between $15-$50/month for birth control co-pays.

According to Planned Parenthood , the unintended pregnancy rate in the United States ranks among the highest in the developed world. In the U.S., a mind boggling number of nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended.

The new benefits won’t take effect for at least another year, Jan. 1, 2013, in most cases. Insurers are expected to pass the cost on to their customers through slightly higher premiums. The rules issued August 1st by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius include a provision that would allow religious institutions to opt out of offering birth control coverage. –mckenzie harris

What do you think about the news? Will free contraception slow down the rate of unintended pregnancies?

Apr 11, 2011

GCADV staff listened while Katz explained why men may not act when they see a woman being abused or a sexist comment being made for a few reasons. First, it’s hard for men to deal with… their emotions related to not being able to control another man’s abuse of women. From not knowing what to say, fear of ostracism by peers or even possible physical retaliation on them from an abuser, many men stay silent.

Another effect often occurs where men distance themselves from an abuser and do not get involved with ending violence against women because it is perceived as a women’s issue. Men often may often take an “us and them” approach and feel that because they are a good guy they do not have an active role to play in ending other men’s violence. For example, a man may think, “Well, I’m not like that guy and would never abuse my partner so that’s his issue.” However, Katz asserts that just “being a good guy” or “not being a rapist” is not enough.

Men owe it to their daughters, wives, mothers, sisters and friends to be involved in men’s violence against women because it is truly is a men’s issue. The only reason women are involved so heavily in the issue is because so many women are victims. Why do women respect men that are involved in ending violence against women? It’s rare to see a man in the room. Abusive men are causing pain and violence for the women that non-abusive men care for and love. A non-abusive man undoubtedly will experience some of the residue of the abuse that a woman he loves has experienced, even if she never mentions it.

It is clear that not all men are abusers so why do so many abusive men assert themselves and act in ways that support their sexist beliefs without being challenged by non-abusive men? Social shame or ostracism, fear of retaliation or the percetion of being “soft” are some of the reasons men choose to remain silent. Katz explained that it’s easier for men who are public role models, such as athletes, to take a stand because they are physically powerful and respected by other men. Opening opportunities for influential male athletes to take a stand against men’s violence against women makes it easier for the average guy to feel supported in speaking out against violence. One of the most important things men can do is to use the power they do hold to influence their community in positive ways. Call your friends out when they disrespect women, use your power and influence in the workplace to advocate for stronger policies that protect women that may be victims of violence. It’s likely that even men that don’t feel that they have power actually have more power than than an abused individual.

Without men taking responsibility and being intentional in their belief that nobody should live a life that has involved beating, sexual assault or patterns of power and control in their intimate relationships, the minority of men that do inflict violence against women will continue to affect the 1 in 4 women that currently experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. I’d like to leave you with the most powerful thing I recall Katz saying. He challenged men to get involved and instead of just being inactive bystanders when they see or know about violence.

“Raise the bar higher. It’s not enough to say I don’t beat or rape,” he said.

For ideas on how you can get involved, please email us at info@gcadv.org or check out our 2010 Domestic Violence Fatality Review Annual Report for the facts and ideas about how you can work in your faith community or workplace to take a stance against violence.

Another effect often occurs where men distance themselves from an abuser and do not get involved with ending violence against women because it is perceived as a women’s issue. Men often may often take an “us and them” approach and feel that because they are a good guy they do not have an active role to play in ending other men’s violence. For example, a man may think, “Well, I’m not like that guy and would never abuse my partner so that’s his issue.” However, Katz asserts that just “being a good guy” or “not being a rapist” is not enough.

Men owe it to their daughters, wives, mothers, sisters and friends to be involved in men’s violence against women because it is truly is a men’s issue. The only reason women are involved so heavily in the issue is because so many women are victims. Why do women respect men that are involved in ending violence against women? It’s rare to see a man in the room. Abusive men are causing pain and violence for the women that non-abusive men care for and love. A non-abusive man undoubtedly will experience some of the residue of the abuse that a woman he loves has experienced, even if she never mentions it.

It is clear that not all men are abusers so why do so many abusive men assert themselves and act in ways that support their sexist beliefs without being challenged by non-abusive men?  Social shame or ostracism, fear of retaliation or the percetion of being “soft” are some of the reasons men choose to remain silent.  Katz explained that it’s easier for men who are public role models, such as athletes, to take a stand because they are physically powerful and respected by other men. Opening opportunities for influential male athletes to take a stand against men’s violence against women makes it easier for the average guy to feel supported in speaking out against violence. One of the most important things men can do is to use the power they do hold to influence their community in positive ways. Call your friends out when they disrespect women, use your power and influence in the workplace to advocate for stronger policies that protect women that may be victims of violence.  It’s likely that even men that don’t feel that they have power actually have more power than than an abused individual.

Without men taking responsibility and being intentional in their belief that nobody should live a life that has involved beating, sexual assault or patterns of power and control in their intimate relationships, the minority of men that do inflict violence against women will continue to affect the 1 in 4 women that currently experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. I’d like to leave you with the most powerful thing I recall Katz saying. He challenged men to get involved and instead of just being inactive bystanders when they see or know about violence.

“Raise the bar higher. It’s not enough to say I don’t beat or rape,” he said.

For ideas on how you can get involved, please email us at info@gcadv.org or check out our 2010 Domestic Violence Fatality Review Annual Report for the facts and ideas about how you can work in your faith community or workplace to take a stance against violence.