DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- Zaida Cabrisa
- Oct 13, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 29
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.
Physical Injuries
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
Emotional and Mental Injuries
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
Physical abuse occurs when a person injures or attempts to hurt their partner by physically hitting them or using other physical force. This can cause serious injury and even death.
Sexual Abuse
Forcing a partner to engage in a sexual act without consent is abuse and rape, even if they are your spouse.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse involves making the person believe they are mentally unwell or crazy. It includes making them feel guilty for the abuse and other situations created by the abuser. This form of abuse can involve constant intimidation and public humiliation, controlling what the person does, where they can go, or who they can see.
Psychological Abuse
Psychological abuse includes coercive acts, threats, or tactics used to control, terrorize, and denigrate victims. It involves trauma caused by verbal abuse and/or nonverbal communication intended to harm mentally or emotionally.
Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse is a constant form of emotional abuse where words are used to maliciously belittle, undermine, or manipulate another person.
Harassment
Harassment is a repetitive and unwanted behavior of control and contact by the partner, generating fear or concern for one's own safety or that of people close to the victim.
Spiritual/Religious Abuse
This involves habitually misrepresenting religious or spiritual beliefs to manipulate, control, or justify abusive behavior. It can make individuals feel guilty, fearful, or submissive, using faith as a tool of control.
Social Abuse
Social abuse includes isolation from family, friends, and community, leading to social stigmatization and weakening of community support.
Financial or Economic Abuse
This form of abuse limits access to or controls financial resources, preventing the victim from handling their own money or property. It creates a forced dependence on the abuser.
Medical Abuse
Medical abuse involves manipulating or denying access to medical services and using medical information to control a partner. It can also include not allowing access to necessary food and medicines.
Digital/Technological Abuse
This includes using the internet to gain control or intimidate the victim through harassment, threats, and tracking.
Child Abuse
Child abuse may be used to control and threaten a partner.
Who Does It Affect?
Domestic violence does not discriminate. It affects all races, cultures, genders, ages, socioeconomic statuses, ethnicities, and nationalities. Entire families, communities, and workplaces can be impacted.
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 PTSD, panic attacks, and trouble sleeping. They often struggle with low self-esteem, confidence issues, anger, stress, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Some even grapple with suicidal thoughts.
Some Warning Signs
Recognizing the signs of domestic violence is crucial. Here are some warning signs to look for:
Statements that they are worthless and that no one will ever love them.
Isolation from friends and/or family.
Monitoring their behavior and movements.
Telling them they are crazy.
Public or private humiliation.
Constant criticism.
Blaming them for everything that goes wrong.
Persistent harassment.
Making them feel guilty about things that aren't their fault.
Threatening to take away their children.
Questioning whether it is possible to talk to their spouse or partner without fear of reprisals.
Threatening to harm themselves, the victim, their children, family, or pets.
Physical bruises or accidents.
Avoiding gatherings and social events.
Low self-esteem, fear, and guilt.
Lack of access to money and quitting jobs.
How You Can Support People
Recognizing the Impact
It's essential to 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
Avoid blaming anyone, confronting the aggressor directly, or giving 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 of those you are trying to help. Do not judge or give ultimatums.
Caring for Yourself
It's important to acknowledge secondary trauma. Engage in healthy strategies, recommend counseling, support groups, and pray 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
Reflection Circle
Sharing can be voluntary.
Group Affirmations
"I am worthy of security."
"I'm strong enough to heal."
Community Pledge
We must commit to speaking out, sharing resources, and not staying 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
If you need help, you may feel barriers such as fear, shame, and retaliation. Seek to speak to someone you trust, whether through coded text or by calling a helpline. Prepare a safety plan. Have a bag with documents, a keyword with a trusted person, and 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: 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 providing 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)
Kissimmee, Florida
Help Now of Osceola
24-hour Crisis Hotline: 407-847-8562
Online:
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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