DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- Zaida Cabrisa
- Oct 13
- 7 min read
Breaking the Silence: Understanding & Responding to Domestic Violence
“Domestic violence is often called a silent epidemic. It crosses all boundaries of age, culture, and income. Today, we are here not only to understand what domestic violence is, but also to learn how to support survivors, their families, and our communities. Together, we can break the silence.”
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence and intimate partner violence are defined as intentional intimidation, physical assault, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behaviors as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one partner against another. It includes physical and sexual violence, threats, and emotional/psychological and spiritual abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence vary greatly.
Impacts of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence can affect health in many ways. The longer it lasts, the more severe the long-term consequences will be.
Many victims suffer physical injuries such as:
• Bruising on the face or body
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Head injuries
• Chronic pain or persistent physical illness
• Reproductive health issues
• Difficulty sleeping
But not all the wounds are visible. There are also emotional and mental injuries such as:
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Flashbacks
• Panic attacks
•Depression
• Anxiety (also culturally described as a nervous breakdown, nervousness, or fright)
• Substance abuse or self-destructive behaviors
• Suicidal ideation
• Low self-esteem
• Lack of confidence
• Constant stress and frustration
• Eating disorders
• Feelings of guilt, fear, or shame
• Social isolation
Types of violence:
Physical abuse - when a person injures or attempts to hurt their partner by physically hitting them, or using other physical force. Physical abuse can cause serious injury and even death.
Sexual abuse - Forcing a partner to engage in a sexual act when they do not consent is abuse and rape, even if they are your spouse.
Emotional abuse – Making the person believe that they are mentally unwell, that they are crazy, making them feel that they are guilty of the abuse and other situations created by the abuser. Intimidating and insulting the person constantly. He humiliates them publicly. It controls what the person does or can do, where they can go, or who they can see.
Psychological abuse – These are coercive acts, threats, or tactics used to control, terrorize, and denigrate their victims. It is trauma to the victim caused by verbal abuse and/or nonverbal communication with the intent to mentally or emotionally harm the other person and to exert control over him/her.
Verbal Abuse – a form of constant emotional abuse in which words are used to maliciously belittle, undermine, manipulate another person.
Harassment – A repetitive and unwanted behavior of control and contact by the partner that generates fear or concern for one's own safety or that of people close to the victim.
Spiritual/Religious Abuse - Habitually misrepresenting religious/spiritual beliefs, teachings, or practices to manipulate, control, or justify abusive behavior. Making people feel guilty, fear, or submission using faith as a tool of control. Disconnection with the faith community. Spiritual manipulation to provoke submission.
Harassment – A repetitive and unwanted behavior of control and contact by the partner that generates fear or concern for one's own safety or that of people close to the victim.
Social abuse - Isolation from family, friends, and community. Social stigmatization. Weakening of community support.
Financial or economic abuse – Limiting access to or controlling financial resources. Prevent the victim from handling his or her own money or property. To separate her from her resources, rights and decisions, isolating her economically and creating a forced dependence for both her and other family members.
Medical abuse - Manipulating, denying medical services, using medical information to control a partner. Not allowing access to necessary food and medicines. Doctors and nurses may be among the first to notice abuse in people.
Digital/technological abuse—use of the internet to gain control or intimidate the victim, such as harassment, threats, location, and sexting.
Child abuse—may be abused in order to control and threaten a partner.
Who does it affect?
It does not discriminate and affects all races, cultures, genders, ages, socioeconomic status, ethnicities and nationalities. Entire families, communities, and workplaces.
"According to data from the CDC's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men over the age of 18 have experienced physical or sexual violence by their partner at some point in their lives.
Victims experience symptoms of trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, and trouble sleeping. Victims often struggle with low self-esteem, confidence issues, anger, stress, eating disorders, anxiety, nervous breakdown, and depression. Some victims struggle with the idea of suicide.
Some warning signs:
Statements that they are worthless and that no one will ever love them.
Isolated from friends and/or family.
Monitor their behavior and monitor their movements and whereabouts.
Tell them they are crazy.
To despise them in public or in private.
Criticize persistently.
Blame you for everything that goes wrong.
Constantly harassing.
Make you feel guilty about things that aren't your fault.
Threatening to take away your children.
Questioning whether it is possible to talk to my spouse or partner without fear of reprisals.
Threatening to harm themselves, yourself, your children, your family, or your pets.
Physical bruises, or have accidents.
There is isolation, cancellations, and avoidance of gatherings.
They have low self-esteem, fear, and guilt.
They have no access to money and quitting jobs.
How you can support people:
Recognizing the impact.
Validate the emotions of fear, anger, guilt, and helplessness.
"Whether you're a survivor, friend, or family member, your emotions are real and valid."
How to support survivors.
You can listen, believe, gently cheer, respect autonomy, and focus on safety.
What you should not do:
do not blame anyone, confront the aggressor directly, give ultimatums.
Supporting Quotes:
"I'm here for you when you're ready."
"You don't deserve this. It's not your fault."
Guide for Families and Friends
Be consistent in offering practical help and sharing resources discreetly.
Respect the limits.
Do not judge or give ultimatums.
Caring for yourself:
Acknowledge secondary trauma.
Strategies that are healthy, recommending counseling, support groups, and praying with and for the person.
Affirmation: "I can offer love and resources, but I am not responsible for repairing what I did not break."
Group healing activities that can be done.
Reflection circle: sharing (voluntary).
Group affirmations: "I am worthy of security."
"I'm strong enough to heal."
Community Pledge: Commitment to speak out, share resources, and not stay silent.
Community engagement: "I will speak up when I see signs of abuse. I will share resources. I will not be silent."
Community Responsibility
Domestic violence is not just a private problem, it is a community problem.
Asking for Help
To ask for help, you may feel or have some barriers such as fear, shame, and retaliation.
You need to seek to speak to someone you trust, by coded text, or call a helpline.
You must prepare a safety plan. Have a bag with documents, have a keyword with a trusted person, and have some numbers memorized.
Where to Call for Help
In case of emergency call 911
National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | Text “START” to 88788.
Florida DV Hotline: 800-500-1119.
Orlando/Kissimmee local shelters: Harbor House, Help Now of Osceola, etc.
· National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Toll Free: 1-888-628-9454
· English: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
· (TTY): 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
· English: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Florida, DCF
Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
211 Information and Assistance
2-1-1 is a multilingual service that connects people in our community with local organizations that provide critical health and human services, such as nutrition programs, emergency housing assistance, parent resources, health care information, and crisis assistance for mental disorders.
Web: hfuw.org/gethelp/
Text your zip code to 898-211
Some local shelters in Orlando and Kissimmee
Laura’s House
Hotline: 866-498-151
Harbor House
24-hour crisis Hotline: 407-886-2856
Nuevo Sendero
Web: nuevossendero.com
Phone: 407-332-6200
Stand up Survivor
Web: standupsurvivor.org/
Phone: (321) 430-5307
Victim Service Center of Central Florida
Web: healhere.org
Phone: 407-500-HEAL (4325)
Kissmmee, Florida
Help Now of Osceola
24-hour Crisis Hotline: 407-847-8562
Encourage attendees to save one hotline number in their phones (under a safe name).
“Together, we can create safer homes, stronger families, and a healthier community.”
WORDS OF FAITH AND HOPE
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”— Psalm 46:1
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”— Psalm 34:18
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”— Psalm 147:3
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”— Matthew 11:28
Encouragement for Strength
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." — Philippians 4:13
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God who makes you strong; I will always help you, I will always uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." — Isaiah 41:10
God's Justice Against Oppression
"Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the orphan, plead for the widow." — Isaiah 1:17
"Raise your voice for the voiceless, stand up for the rights of the dispossessed." — Proverbs 31:8
Reminder of God's Love
"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans of prosperity and not of calamity, that I may give you a future and a hope." — Jeremiah 29:11
"In love there is no fear, but perfect love casts out fear." — 1 John 4:18
My prayer is that this information can be of help to many people who are going through domestic violence or know someone who can help them. Share this post and don't be silent.
With love,
Zaida Cabrisa
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