Preventive Care = Solutions

Breaking the Silence: Understanding Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is one of the most pervasive yet often hidden issues facing communities worldwide. While it is sometimes portrayed only as physical abuse, domestic violence is far more complex. It is a pattern of behaviors used to gain power and control over another person—and it can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or background.

What Domestic Violence Looks Like

Abuse is not always visible. It can take many forms:

Physical abuse: hitting, pushing, or using physical force.
Emotional and psychological abuse: insults, humiliation, gaslighting, and constant criticism.
Financial abuse: controlling access to money, employment, or resources.
Sexual abuse: coercion, assault, or withholding intimacy as punishment.
Digital abuse: monitoring phones, social media, or online activities.

These behaviors may begin subtly and escalate over time, making it difficult for survivors to recognize or leave unsafe situations.

The Numbers Tell the Story

In the U.S., 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience severe intimate partner violence during their lifetime.
Every year, more than 12 million people are affected by domestic violence.
Children who witness abuse are more likely to experience trauma, anxiety, and long-term health consequences.

The impacts ripple outward—not only harming survivors but also families, workplaces, and entire communities.

Barriers to Leaving

Leaving an abusive relationship is not as simple as “just walking away.” Survivors often face:

Fear of retaliation or escalation.
Financial dependence or lack of housing.
Concerns for children’s safety.
Social stigma or disbelief.
Deep emotional bonds with the abuser, who may also alternate abuse with affection.

Understanding these barriers helps us respond with empathy rather than judgment.

How We Can All Make a Difference

Awareness is the first step toward prevention and change. Here’s how individuals and communities can take action:

Learn the warning signs of abuse and speak up if you suspect someone is in danger.
Listen without judgment. Survivors need compassion, not criticism.
Share resources. Many survivors don’t know where to turn for help.
Advocate for safe spaces in schools, workplaces, and communities.
Support organizations that provide shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy.

Resources for Help

If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, there are confidential, 24/7 resources available:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788
RAINN (Sexual Assault Hotline): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Love is Respect (for teens & young adults): 1-866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522

A Call to Action

Domestic violence is not a private matter—it is a public health and human rights issue. By breaking the silence, we break the cycle. Every conversation, every shared resource, and every act of compassion brings us closer to a future where safety, respect, and dignity are the norm.

💜 Survivors are not defined by their abuse—they are defined by their strength, resilience, and courage. Together, we can amplify their voices and create a world free from violence.