Guest Article by Chloe Pearson
The Tragic Connection Between Domestic Violence and Suicide
People who experience domestic violence are constantly faced with feelings of worthlessness, isolation, and helplessness. These negative feelings leave many sufferers without hope for escape.
One quarter of all domestic violence victims attempt suicide. As domestic violence continues, victims feel increasingly hopeless, and tragically may see no other outlet beyond death. Additionally, perpetrators often say that they will stop abusing the victim, though rarely follow through with the promise. This is one reason that victims are twice as likely to repeat failed suicide attempts.
Both issues of suicide and domestic violence are highly important to be aware of. What more people need to understand is the connection between the two of them.
How Domestic Violence Occurs
In any discussion on domestic violence, it is important to understand how it occurs. Typically, it functions in a cycle:
Often, people who have not experienced intimate partner abuse wonder why the victim does not leave their abuser the first time (or anytime after that). Unfortunately, there tend to be psychological and physical barriers causing people to stay in abusive relationships. These include:
There is a real danger in leaving an abusive partner. In fact, 70% of deaths occur after a victim attempts to remove his or herself from the relationship.
How Domestic Violence Leads to Suicide
Many victims experience stress, anxiety, fear, isolation, and trauma on a daily basis.
This puts them in a constant negative mindset.
This can lead to suicidal thoughts and tendencies, especially when coupled with the lack of resources. In many cases, domestic violence victims are kept from friends and family by their abuser or out of their own fear. This withdrawal from societal and familial support can cause a victim to feel as though they truly have no way out, increasing their risk for suicide attempts.
Additionally, research shows that many victims of domestic violence also have co-occurring substance abuse problems. Victims commonly use drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism, which frequently turns into an addiction. As such, people who experience both domestic violence and substance abuse are facing a battle on two fronts. Substance abuse, in itself, can cause depression and suicidal thoughts and actions.
Furthermore, women who experience domestic violence are more likely to suffer from other physical ailments, including:
Women are more commonly-associated as being victims of abuse, but it can happen to anyone. Men and women of all races, orientations, and gender identifications may fall victim to domestic abuse. The sad truth is that some of these more specific groups or minorities may already be susceptible to harassment and rejection. Any abuse they go through, with resulting addictions or suicidal tendencies, can pile on and become overwhelming.
How to Get Help for Domestic Violence and Suicidal Thoughts
If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, there is hope. Take the following steps to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you:
Domestic violence is a threat to the health and well-being of victims and their children. If you or a loved one need help leaving an abusive relationship, or coping with suicidal thoughts, there is help out there—do not give up hope.
Chloe Pearson is a research specialist and freelance writer. She enjoys volunteering for ConsumerHealthLabs.com because she understands that in order for consumers to make the best decisions about their health they need reliable, well-researched information on which to base those decisions. And that’s precisely what everyone at Consumer Health Labs aims to do as they explore and interpret new health-related data and research.
Image via Pixabay by WenPhotos
I would like to thank Chloe for writing this article and sharing it on my website to help others.
Author Christine J. Gilbert