PHYSICAL ABUSE LEAVES MANY SCARS

Physical abuse of men by women is also grossly underreported. Women are 10 times more likely to call the police than men. Interestingly, the main reason men do not report abuse is to protect their partners. Furthermore, they rightly feel that health professionals and police are less likely to believe them. Justice systems are more likely to accept that the male is the aggressor. On the other hand, there is clear evidence that male perpetrators of domestic violence generally inflict far greater injuries, and certainly more fatalities. They also arouse greater fear in the victims. Marianne Hester draws attention to the fact that men are more likely to be repeat offenders.
In the final analysis, abuse is always wrong, and should always be condemned, irrespective of gender. Male victims should report abuse as readily as females. Every effort must be taken by both men and women to address the appalling impact of physical abuse on its victims.
Christiane Sanderson outlines the full impact of this abuse, which is too comprehensive to discuss fully here. In addition to physical scars and long term physical ailments like arthritis, hearing problems, stress, brain damage, ulcers, indigestion, and headaches, victims may also experience depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, suicide and substance abuse. Physical abuse (along with sexual abuse) is one of main causes of self-harm, or cutting, which will be briefly explored in the chapter on child abuse. Victims are so confused by the abuse that they blame themselves and lose their perspective. They are enveloped in self-doubt and worthlessness. Physically abused men feel anger, a desire for revenge, and shame. A small number experience fear.
Some physically abused women, traumatised by years of violence, lose their sense of self. They experience nightmares, shame, and symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is a serious anxiety complaint consisting of flashbacks, hypervigilance, and a heightened startle response. Sufferers are easily stressed. They experience intense panic, fear, and terror. They have difficulty in sleeping, and they suffer nightmares. They risk becoming depressed and withdrawn. They are wracked by sadness, anger, guilt, pessimism, and fatigue. Some sufferers of PTSD become emotionally numb, and may experience sexual problems. Many experience physical aches and pains.
Reading about the impact of physical abuse can be difficult, but talking to someone who has been battered is even more gruelling. When I see the tear stained faces of my clients I get a better understanding of the devastation of physical abuse. I hope that as people become better educated about physical abuse and its consequences, they will be more inclined to take the necessary measures to confront and defeat it.
Adapted from Jim O’Shea’s book Abuse. Domestic Violence, Workplace and School Bullying published by Cork University Press
PSYCHOTHERAPISTS IN TIPPERARY
THERAPISTS IN TIPPERARY
ABUSE
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
DEATH OF A CHILD