Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior that is used by the perpetrator to maintain power and control over an intimate partner or some other member of the family.
Domestic violence occurs between partners, ex-partners, family members, or other relatives that are in the person’s circle of contact. The term domestic violence is used whenever there is a close relationship between the perpetrator of the abuse and the victim. It can take the form of sexual, psychological, or physical abuse.
Partner violence is domestic violence that occurs between romantically linked partners.
The Reach of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence affects people from all religions, cultures, socioeconomic levels, and ethnic groups. Victims can be of any age, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation.
Most people associate women as domestic violence victims and men as perpetrators. But victims can be men, elderly individuals, or children.
Women are the victims most affected by domestic violence, with more than 1.5 million women assaulted by an intimate partner nearly every year.
Statistics on Domestic Violence
According to the 2015 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey:
- 1 of 4 in women and 1 of 9 men report being victims of contact sexual violence.
- About 23 million women and roughly 1.7 million men have been victims of rape or attempted rape at some point in their lives
- 1in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence* by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
What are the Causes of Domestic Violence?
Today, you would be hard-pressed to find nearly any attribute or behavior that does not have some genetic association. Research has suggested that there are genetic associations between violence and domestic violence. To note, most clinicians and the legal system typically take the view that domestic violence is a learned behavior and also a choice.
Domestic violence tends to run in families. If your father abused your mother, the risk that you will abuse your partner is increased. However, this most likely represents a combination of learned behavior and possibly genetic associations.
The driving force behind nearly every instance of domestic violence is that the perpetrator is attempting to control and gain power over their victim.
Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence
It is well-known that domestic violence cases are often associated with alcohol or drug use.
On days when there is heavy drug or alcohol use, physical violence is 11 times more likely among batterers and their victims. Over 20 percent of male abusers report using drugs or alcohol before their most recent violent acts. Victims often report that the perpetrator had been consuming drugs or alcohol.
The drug that is most commonly associated with domestic violence is alcohol. There has been some discussion as to whether heavy drinking causes someone to be violent. Also, other drugs are associated with domestic violence.
There is also evidence that victims of domestic violence are at an increased risk for substance abuse.
Domestic Violence and Addiction Statistics
It’s no secret that both addiction and domestic violence pose a unique and significant effect in our society. While it’s easy to recognize the harmful effects of substance abuse on drug users, they aren’t the only ones affected by their drug and alcohol abuse.
There have been debates around whether substance abuse causes domestic violence or if it amplifies a person to commit it, but no matter how you spin it, there’s a link between substance abuse and domestic violence. Domestic violence and drug abuse statistics show the two are a dangerous mix.
The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence published drug abuse and domestic violence statistics that show a clear link between domestic violence and substance abuse.
- A staggering 92 percent of men who assaulted their significant other used substances on the day of the assaults – 67 percent admitted to alcohol and cocaine use.
- Substance abuse occurred before 47 percent of domestic assaults but only occurred during 31 percent of non-domestic assaults.
- Intimate partner violence against women was two to four times higher among men with alcohol problems than men who were sober or used other drugs.
- It is estimated that 30 to 40 percent of men who assaulted their significant others were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the assault.
- Of men arrested for domestic violence, the ones who were abusing substances had a higher chance of being incarcerated later on, with partners more likely to request an order of protection.
- The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence found that as many as 50 percent of men in domestic abuse counseling were identified as substance abusers.
Other studies released from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a direct link between substance abuse and domestic violence.
- An estimated 25 to 50 percent of all men who committed domestic violence were found to have problems with substance abuse.
- 30 percent of men or more were drinking at the time they committed a domestic assault, with a staggering 90 percent of them found to have abused substances on the same day an assault took place, most often with cocaine and alcohol.
- It was found that alcohol was involved in more than two-thirds of Instances when men tried to kill their partner. An estimated 25 percent of those who committed murder had been using both drugs and alcohol at the time of the murder.
- Those who commit domestic abuse are more likely to be put in prison and their partners to request protection orders if they abuse substances.
- Nearly 42 percent of victims used drugs or alcohol on the day they were assaulted. Among those fatally attacked, toxicology screens found one-third of victims had alcohol in their system, and an estimated 25 percent used drugs like hydrocodone.
- Nearly three-quarters of victims in an abusive relationship who are misusing drugs or alcohol are with a partner that also abuses the same substances.
- Victims of domestic violence who end up in the hospital as a result of their injuries are more likely to be intoxicated than other hospital admissions.
- Women who abuse heroin and cocaine are more likely to encounter abuse in their relationships. However, abusing marijuana and other substances is associated with violence in a new relationship.
Despite the fact that the relationship between domestic violence and substance isn’t entirely understood, the truth is that it exists far more than the average person wants to believe, even more than in the statistics because a lot of it goes unreported. The link between domestic violence and substance abuse is something that cannot be ignored.
Why Don't Abuse Victims Get Help?
Perhaps the main reason that some victims of domestic violence do not initially report being abused or may not seek out help is that they often do not view their situation as unusual or drastic. Their relationships are often codependent, and they view the behavior of their partner as “normal.” They may also view themselves as the cause of the aggression or inadequate.
Other obstacles to getting help include fear, concern over the loss of custody of children, self-blame, or feeling that reporting abuse will worsen the situation.
Perpetrators of domestic violence are often controlling and dominating. Fear of reprisal or being unable to escape the situation often dominates the thinking of the victim.
Signs of an Abusive Relationship
Aside from the actual abuse aspect, some of the signs of an abusive relationship include the following:
- You feel afraid of your partner. You may avoid certain conversation topics or feel guilty about your partner’s aggression.
- You feel that your partner may hurt you if you decide to leave them.
- You feel as if you are treated more like an object than a person.
- Your partner constantly checks upon you.
- Your partner often belittles, criticizes, or humiliates you.
- Your partner blames you for their aggression.
- Your partner keeps you from communicating with friends and/or family.
- Your partner threatens to harm you or your family if you attempt to leave.
Treating Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence
Although domestic violence is not considered to be a formal mental health disorder, treatment typically involves addressing any underlying mental illness, substance abuse, and treating the whole family.
Substance abuse issues that co-occur with domestic violence may be addressed simultaneously. Substance use disorder treatment should include all the needed components, including medical detox, therapy, group participation, and other medical and nonmedical interventions.
Family therapy, a type of psychotherapy where the group members are family members, is especially suited to treating domestic violence. Ongoing treatment for substance abuse should continue with family therapy or any other type of psychotherapy.
Treatment programs should set up a safe and supportive environment for victims.
They should establish that all parties involved are interested in resolving their differences and continuing treatment together.
