IMPACTS OF TRAUMA

Relationship violence is prevalent in every community and affects people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.

• Victims of intimate partner violence lose a total of 8.0 million days of paid work each year.
• The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $8.3 billion per year.
• Physical, mental, and sexual and reproductive health effects have been linked with intimate partner violence including:
  • depression
  • suicidality
  • HIV or other STI's
  • adolescent pregnancy
  • unintended pregnancy in general
  • miscarriage
  • stillbirth
  • intrauterine hemorrhage
  • nutritional deficiency
  • abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal problems
  • neurological disorders
  • chronic pain
  • disability
  • anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • hypertension
  • cancer
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • higher risk for developing addictions to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.