West Midlands Police – Tackling Domestic Violence Campaign, Author West Midlands Police, United Kingdom (CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic)
Historically, the focus in suicide prevention has been on men because of their longstanding higher suicide rate [1A]. This has overshadowed the growing rate of attempted suicide and self-harm among women, and the close link with domestic abuse.
“…when a woman presents to [mental health] services in suicidal distress it is likely that she’s a victim of domestic abuse.”
–Sally McManus, Sr. Lecturer in Health at the Violence and Society Centre
A groundbreaking study in the United Kingdom last year found that women subjected to domestic abuse (physical, psychological, or economic) are three times more likely to attempt suicide [2A].
Women who have experienced sexual abuse within their relationship are seven times more likely to self-harm [2B]. And women are ten times more likely to experience sexual abuse by a partner than straight or gay men are [1B].
Intimidation, Threats, and Force
Domestic abusers attempt to control their victims through intimidation, threats, and/or actual force [3A]. Typically, they humiliate their partners; isolate partners from friends and family; rigidly regulate what partners may do; and deny partners access to money or other basic necessities [3B].
Emotional Toll
Fear, shame, learned helplessness, a perceived lack of support by family members and friends, hopelessness, and despair are likely to result [3C][4A]. Intimate partner victimization is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), in both men and women [4B]. Continue reading
