NATIONAL TECHNICAL OFFICE ON GENDER -BASED VIOLENCE AND RELATED MATTERS, NIGERIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (NiMSA- TOGBV)
UNDERSTANDING THE LONG-TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 11
(By Wagwula Precious, Member, Research Team,NiMSA TOGBV).
(Akpegyor Akpanke, National Technical Officer, NiMSA -TOGBV).
Domestic violence also called intimate person violence(IPV) is a global public health issue affecting people globally regardless of sex, age, financial status, educational background, socioeconomic level, and sexual orientation. It can be defined as any behavior or behavioral patterns which may be; physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual, perpetuated by one’s intimate partner that poses harm to the victim.
These behaviors may be sometimes subtle physical, coercive, controlling, and threatening actions. It is impossible to over-emphasize both the short and long-term sequela of domestic violence on survivors, their careers, family members, mental and social well-being.
The physical effects of domestic violence range from injuries including but not limited to, bruises, cuts, bite marks, lacerations, contusions, dislocations, and fractures, which can be treated but may extend to more permanent and long-term problems and even lead to disabilities. Essentially, IPV significantly causes Ophthalmic injuries and may lead to preventable blindness. Studies have shown that 45% of IPV injuries involve the eyes(Malik et al). These injuries were more commonly orbital fractures and contusions. Domestic violence is one of the major causes of Ocular trauma and may progressively lead to visual impairment or blindness if not managed properly. Simultaneously the visually impaired also have a higher risk of being victims of IPV as compared to those who are not. Studies have shown that 1 in 12 visually impaired people is believed to be a victim of domestic violence in the UK and may suffer more damming consequences. The visually impaired are vulnerable and their partners can easily take advantage and control their movement, decisions, and even finance. Their dependence makes it even more difficult to report or leave the situation.
Furthermore, there is overwhelming evidence to show that women who are victims of domestic violence are at a higher risk of mental disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. A five-year research study by the Institute of Health Research concluded that compared to women with no mental illness, women with depression are 2.5 times more likely to have suffered domestic violence, 3.5 times for anxiety disorder, and 7 times for women suffering from Post-traumatic Stress disorder. Survivors of IPV are also more likely to suffer from substance abuse. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was an increase in domestic violence due to the inability to call helplines and perpetrators using coercive behaviors, isolation, digital control, intimidation and dominance as tactics of abuse. In a conservative environment, there is profound stigmatization of both survivors of IPV and mental illness, this will drastically reduce the willingness to report and call for help.
There are so many profound negative implications of IPV for sexual health. Sex is used as a weapon. It can be used in an exploitative and powerful way to exert control and obedience. Dynamically it can present as both verbal and physical abuse, marital rape, and some victims are even pushed into prostitution. In the long run, there is an increased risk of cervical cancer in survivors of IPV. According to the study conducted by Cooker et al(2009) It is also believed that 3.5% of women exposed to violence reported cervical cancer while only 1.9% of women with cervical cancer were not exposed to violence. More so, the study showed that women who smoked and were exposed to violence had the highest risk of cervical cancer further reiterating that substance abuse is a direct consequence of IPV and also predisposes victims to cervical cancer. Other sexual problems including, vaginismus, sexual dysfunction, and sexually transmitted infections are all part of the horrid outcomes.
In addition, the relationship between IPV and HIV is bi-directional. Women who have experienced IPV are prone to be infected with HIV and HIV-positive women are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence (Olumide Abiodun et al.) HIV status disclosure to one’s partner also predisposes to IPV. Cultural stigma may contribute to nondisclosure to appropriate authorities and fuels abuse in various forms. Adherence to treatment of chronic illnesses is influenced by family dynamics, therefore this kind of environment may lead to the rapid progression of the disease.
In conclusion, The effects of IPV, produce permanent scars that serve as a reminder, long term and into the future generations. The policies that are made to support survivors should impact both immediate and long-term consequences. Survivors would have to live with physical, emotional, mental and sexual cicatrix and the implementation of interventions should be multidisciplinary. Durable plans should go hand in hand with immediate supportive care. We should understand vulnerabilities and work with empathy.
References
Cooper A. Maher and Brittany E. Hayes. “Association Between Disabilities, Educational Attainment, Literacy, and Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from the Indian National Family Health Surveys.”
Anne Barmettler, MD. “Domestic violence can be an unseen cause of ocular trauma.” Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Oculoplastics/Orbit. APR 26, 2023.
Kavita Alejo. “Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Effects of Domestic Violence.” Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science, Volume 2, Spring 2014, Article 5. San Jose State University. Available at: https://schola.
MS O Ezebuka, MSc • 1. N Sam-Agudu, MD • SErekaha, BSc • M Dairo, MSc. “Open Access.” Published: March, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(15)70142-7
