October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, presenting a vital opportunity to raise awareness about domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 41% of women and 26% of men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported a related impact. Additionally, over 61 million women and 53 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Whitney Coleman, a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Jade Clinical Services, provides mental health services to women of color experiencing life transitions, anxiety, and trauma. She highlights some of the complexities involved in escaping domestic violence.
### Domestic Violence Often Continues Even After Leaving
Domestic violence is usually ongoing. “Even if one leaves the relationship, the abuse might continue for months or even years in the form of harassment, threats, stalking, or financial abuse,” Coleman explains. “If one has to get a divorce, the abuser might try to control and manipulate the survivor via finances and court dates for an extended period.”
### Domestic Violence Is Not Always Physical
According to Coleman, domestic violence covers a range of behaviors aimed at controlling a partner, including economic, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse. Abuse can also be technological, cultural, or religious/spiritual in nature. “Formally, it is defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in an intimate relationship to gain power and control over the other person,” she adds.
### Practical Barriers Can Make Victims Stay
Substantive resources for domestic violence victims, such as shelters, are limited. Coleman notes, “Some shelters only have space for single women, some for families, a few for those with differing abilities, and most do not accept pets.” Moreover, many shelters are designed for shorter-term stays. While they help survivors plan long-term, ongoing support is often insufficient to address issues such as housing, mental health, finances, childcare, clothing, and home furnishings.
People can assist victims by providing tangible support, including money, childcare, housing, transportation, and employment opportunities. Support is usually required for an extended period. Emotional support is also crucial.
Many survivors return to their abusers soon after leaving due to a lack of resources. Financial dependency frequently causes individuals to stay, as they rely on the abuser for full or partial financial support. “Respect their decision and do not pressure them to leave until they are ready. Instead, provide a safe place for them to process and store things in the interim,” Coleman advises.
Isolation — such as lack of transportation or employment opportunities — is another reason victims might stay until they can safely leave. Feelings of shame, especially among well-educated individuals or those in high-powered professional roles, also contribute to staying. “They fear the response from others or being judged, or they stay to avoid hearing what others might say,” Coleman says.
### Therapy Can Be Helpful in Healing
Therapy provides survivors the space to process grief over the loss of a relationship, even an abusive one, as well as conflicting thoughts and feelings about the relationship and trauma. “It also allows survivors to begin working on self-esteem, learn healthy relationship dynamics, and address behavior patterns such as avoidance and mistrust, which could cause issues in future relationships,” Coleman explains.
### Mandated Reporting by Therapists
Therapists are mandated by law to report suspicion of abuse or neglect involving children, individuals with disabilities, or the elderly. However, in cases of domestic violence between consenting adults, therapists are generally not obligated to report unless there is imminent danger. “This varies by state,” notes Coleman. For instance, California, Colorado, Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island mandate reporting of domestic violence to varying degrees. Maryland requires reporting only for child, vulnerable adult, and elder abuse.
“In general, if there is an imminent threat of serious harm to the client or others, therapists are required to break confidentiality to report it,” Coleman adds.
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### Spotlight: Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland broke barriers as the first Black female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. Through her nonprofit, she is making dance more accessible to children of color, inspiring many and promoting inclusivity in the arts.
https://www.phillytrib.com/across_america/overcoming-domestic-violence-situations-can-be-complex/article_1e76071a-df32-4faf-9236-d3e655b26ff3.html
