the health effects of violence against women are ‘severe and enduring’
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as many as 65 per cent of canadian women know a woman who has experienced some form of abuse, whether it be physical, sexual or emotional.
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violence and abuse toward women are not uncommon things. according to data from the canadian women’s foundation, as many as 65 per cent of canadian women know a woman who has experienced some form of abuse, whether it be physical, sexual or emotional, with 42 per cent noting that they know a woman who was sexually assaulted.
other data from health canada notes that as many as 44 per cent of women and girls experienced a specific type of abuse, known as intimate partner violence. that number amounts to roughly 6.2 million women and girls over the age of 15.
different groups of people also face a higher risk, with gender-based violence affecting vulnerable populations, such as those with disabilities, disproportionately.
“taken together, these findings make one thing clear,” said mitzie hunter, president and ceo of the canadian women’s foundation, an organization dedicated to raising money and funding programs that empower women out of violence and poverty, in an email to healthing. “gender-based violence is pervasive. it touches far more people than many realize, and almost all of us have someone in our lives who has been affected.”
while many hear the term violence against women and understand that it’s harmful, many are unaware of exactly how detrimental it can be, especially where health is concerned.
“violence against women is not just an issue of criminal justice or isolated incidents. it is a serious public health issue. the health consequences go far beyond visible injuries,” said hunter.
what are the short-term effects of being a victim of violence?
after violence and abuse have taken place, a woman can experience short-term ill effects on both her physical and mental health. the initial injuries, of course, are part of that, but don’t paint the entire picture.
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hunter notes that the “physical effects can range widely” for women, some of which may not be “visible right away.”
“many experience pain, injuries, sleep disruption, and other stress-related physical symptoms,” she said. “because of the trauma, the body may stay in a heightened stress state, which can disrupt immune function, sleep and overall physical well-being.”
other potential short-term physical effects of violence on health include:
- headaches
- gastrointestinal disorders
- limited mobility
- an increased likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth, or pre-term delivery
“while we don’t always have full data on every outcome, it’s clear that violence can undermine physical health well beyond the moment of harm,” said hunter.
but violence and abuse toward women doesn’t just affect their physical health. mental health can also be severely affected in the short term.
for example, women who experience intimate partner violence can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) at rates of roughly 64 per cent. the way abuse and violence unfolds in a relationship also makes leaving the situation that much harder, keeping people in a cycle of abuse for longer, prolonging mental health decline.
“abusive relationships can develop in a gradual process where violence escalates over time, and the experience can harm mental health and self-confidence, instill fear, and make it difficult to believe a safer future is even possible,” said hunter.
individuals also report many other mental health effects, such as:
- anxiety
- fear
- hypervigilance
- nightmares
- intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
- difficulty concentration
- feelings of shame or guilt
- emotional withdrawal
the world health organization also reports that acts of violence and abuse can increase feelings of depression twofold while increasing the risk of suicide attempts and addiction disorders.
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“the trauma of being hurt by someone who should have been safe can deeply shake a person’s sense of security and self, and those psychological wounds often require care, support and time to begin healing,” said hunter.
what are the long-term effects of being a victim of violence?
according to hunter, the “long-term effects of violence can be severe and enduring.” both physical and mental health can suffer greatly. for example, people with no history of anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders can develop them, leading to long-term emotional distress and difficulties with relationships with others.
substance use disorders and eating disorders can also develop, contributing to even more health problems down the road.
physical effects can also continue to affect women over a longer period of time when they’ve experienced violence or abuse, leading to various chronic issues, including:
- chronic pain
- sleep disorders
- weakened immune systems
when it comes to violence, it’s not just the moment of harm that people have to think about because while bruises and broken bones may heal, being the victim of violence or abuse can “alter the entire trajectory of a woman’s life.”
there is also a correlation between violence against women and chronic disease. the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and autoimmune disorders is significantly higher in women who’ve experienced violence because violence causes the body to go into a long-term stress response from the trauma.
the heightened inflammation and physiological damage associated with this stress response increase these risks. other potential chronic diseases that can develop in women who experience violence include:
- high blood pressure
- stroke
- high cholesterol
- irritable bowel syndrome
- thyroid dysfunction
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violence can also make it more difficult for women to seek help for any preexisting health conditions or new conditions that develop, prolonging the damage it does to the body.
finding support for violence against women
early access to support systems can make a “meaningful difference” for women who have been the victims of violence. these supports can come in many forms, including safe shelter and housing for immediate escape from the situation or home where they’re experiencing violence.
other options include trauma-informed counselling for emotional care and long-term support, and crisis intervention services for crisis care, legal support and safety planning.
“these support structures, when accessible, culturally safe, and sustained, are powerful,” said hunter. “they don’t just respond to harm. they help people heal, reclaim their lives and reduce the long-term costs of violence.”
for people who have experienced violence but don’t know where to turn to, hunter notes that there are several places to reach out to, including:
- local shelters, crisis centres, or transition houses
- hotlines or crisis lines, especially if someone is in immediate danger
- a trusted loved one, whether that be a friend or family member, who can support without judgment
there is a certain level of stigma surrounding violence that falls on the backs of the victimized as opposed to the perpetrator, which makes it even more challenging to reach out, causing people to feel as though they are utterly alone in their situation and that help is not available.
in as many as 78 per cent of women who experience intimate partner violence, specifically, do not report the abuse to police, with shame and stigma being one of the several reasons for that lack of reporting.
hunter notes that she hopes survivors know, “you are not alone. you deserve safety, and what happened to you is not your fault,” while encouraging people to reach out to organizations that can help, such as the canadian women’s foundation.
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while women cannot control or prevent violent attacks or abuse toward them, they can change the way it affects them by finding the proper support.
“when violence ends, and survivors receive trauma-informed supports, both physical and mental health outcomes often improve,” said hunter. “when we fund supports, interventions, trauma-informed care and prevention, we are not only responding to immediate harm. we are helping to prevent lifelong suffering, chronic illness and intergenerational impact.”
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