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Payton Davis

Mrs. Shumate

English II

10 May 2017

The Effects of Domestic Violence

Women who have been exposed to domestic violence experience sociological

effects at work, when alone, and in certain situations. Women who are abused may

withdraw from social activities, friends, and family. They may choose to no longer

participate in racial, ethnic, religious, or community activities. (Shapiro) Because of

the harm that one has left on individual they have little self-esteem, and tend to isolate

themselves from any social interactions. To recover from the damage that one has left on

one's social life and gain humanity back one must participate in social activities and

reconnect with others. Being engaged in paid or voluntary work provided the women

with a context for connection with others, a sense of purpose, and an income.

Undertaking education, for the majority of the women, enabled a new life course, new

knowledge, reconnection with the world and a strengthened, empowered narrative

identity (Oke) An individual who has been exposed to domestic violence by their partner

is affected sociologically, mentally, and physically, so to recover from this harm they

must have the courage to leave and begin taking the steps in getting help to gain their

humanity back.

Overcoming from domestic violence is a difficult process. Many struggle with

confidence, self-worth, internal conflict, and connecting with others. Consequently,

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participants concluded their already low self-confidence and sense of self-worth was

further eroded bit by little bit. (Taylor) Going to a refuge is the first step in recovering

from the harm that has been done to one. A refuge is not just a safe place, a space where

a woman can begin to recover from the effects of domestic violence. It is also a launching

pad into a new phase of life.Work within the refuge is, from the outset, directed at

supporting women to live independently, and moving from the refuge is an integral part

of this whole process. It is not, however, an easy step to take (Abrahams) The book Safe

Havens theme is that life may throw you challenges, but that is no reason to stop moving

forward. Katie experiences domestic violence by her partner and is threatened to be killed

if she leaves him, although has the courage to leave while her husband is at work. Taking

this step is not easy, and is a very difficult process to take. Katie dyes her hair and moves

to a small town called SouthPort and buys a tiny cottage in the woods to try and find

security away from the violence. She falls in love with a sweet guy, meets friends, and

gets a job all because she had the courage to take the step in moving forward no matter

what the consequences where.

Domestic violence is a problem that isn't acknowledged much although has serious

effects that should come to notice. Domestic partner violence is a serious worldwide

problem with very high prevalence. It is responsible for widespread serious physical and

emotional health problems among survivors, and thousands of women worldwide die

annually at the hands of their partners. (Oke)

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Works Cited

Annotated Bibliography - Violence Against Women. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2017.

Abrahams, Hilary. Supporting Women After Domestic Violence : Loss, Trauma and

Recovery. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2007. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=202336&site=ehost-live.
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Taylor, Robert S., et al. Overcoming Domestic Violence : Creating a Dialogue around

Vulnerable Populations. Nova Science Publishers, Inc, 2014. Social Issues, Justice and

Status. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=886253&site=ehost-live.

Oke, Marion. "Remaking Self After Domestic Violence: Mongolian and Australian

Women's Narratives of Recovery." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family

Therapy, vol. 29, no. 3, Sept. 2008, pp. 148-155. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pbh&AN=34285358&site=ehost-live.