Faye’s Blog

Domestic Violence is an issue that occurs in relationships that is a form of abuse. It is a contentious topic that is talked about worldwide. There are many different types of Domestic Violence, these can range from: (FACS, 2018)

• physical abuse
• Verbal Abuse
• Emotional/psychological Abuse
• Financial Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Harassment and Stalking
• Spiritual or Religious Abuse
• Reproductive Abuse
• Image based Abuse

According to a AIHW report (AIHW, 2018) Domestic Violence affects both men and women, across all age groups and socio-economic groups. But it mainly affects women and children.

What is Mental Health and Mental Illness?

Mental Health issues is a major emotional and psychological consequence for Domestic Violence victims. Mental illness is a psychological condition which can affect an individual’s mood, behavior and also their way of thinking. Some examples of a Mental illness are: Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder.

Any person from different levels of Socio – Economic groups, backgrounds and ages can be affected. Mental Health is the way of taking care of a your own well being, for example, being able to handle day to day stress.

Mental Health and Mental Illness both mean very different things but both can affect the victims of Domestic Violence.

Going through something as traumatic as a Domestic Violence case, it is a certain fact that the aftermath will include psychological damage.

This blog will explore the impacts Domestic Violence has on Mental Health, not only within it’s victims but from also the Children and family that are involved. It will also touch bass on the community, media and governmental impacts.

References

American Psychiatric Association (2018), What Is Mental Illness?, online
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness, viewed 31st March 2018

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018, Family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia 2018., Cat. no. FDV 2. Canberra: AIHW. online
https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/d1a8d479-a39a-48c1-bbe2-4b27c7a321e0/aihw-fdv-02.pdf.aspx?inline=true ,viewed 31st March 2019

Rochelle Braaf & Isobelle Barrett Meyering (2013), Domestic Violence and Mental Health, online
https://www.nifvs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Domestic-Violence-and-Mental-Health.pdf, viewed 31st March 2019

Way Ahead Mental Health Association NSW (2011), Domestic And Family Violence, online
https://wayahead.org.au/download/domestic-and-family-violence/?wpdmdl=1277 , viewed 31st March 2019

World Health Organization (2014), Mental Health: A State Of Well-being, online
https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/en/ ,viewed 31st March 2019