Women may be affected in a number of ways. They may experience any or all of the following:
Loss of opportunity; isolation from family/friends; loss of income or work; homelessness; emotional/psychological effects such as experiences of anxiety, depression or lowered sense of self-worth; poor health; physical injury or ongoing impairment; if they are pregnant they may miscarry or the baby may be stillborn; time off work or study, and long-term impact on financial security and career; death (two women a week are killed by their partners or former partners).
Key statistics: effects of domestic violence on women
Homelessness
Research on homelessness for Shelter found that domestic violence is "the single most quoted reason for becoming homeless". This study found that 40% of all homeless women stated domestic violence as contributor to their homelessness (Cramer and Carter, 2002).
Injuries
"Injuries were often sustained as a result of domestic violence, especially among women. During the worst incident of domestic violence experienced in the last year, 46 per cent of women sustained a minor physical injury, 20 per cent a moderate physical injury, and six per cent severe injuries, while for 31 per cent it resulted in mental or emotional problems. ". (Findings from self-completion module of the 2001 British Crime survey, Walby & Allen, 2004)
Employment
"Domestic violence has a detrimental impact on employment. Among employed women who suffered domestic violence in the last year, 21 per cent took time off work and two per cent lost their jobs".
(Findings from self-completion module of the 2001 British Crime survey, Walby & Allen, 2004)
Health
Violence against women has serious consequences for their physical and mental health. Abused women are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, psychosomatic systems, eating problems and sexual dysfunction. Violence may also affect their reproductive health (World Health Organisation, 2000).
Homicide
46% of all female homicide victims compared with 5% of male homicide victims, were killed by current or former partners in 2001/02. In total there were 116 women who were killed by current or former partners in 2001/02, and the figures have been similar in subsequent years. This equates to an average of over 2 women each week who are killed by a current or former partner (Flood-Page et al, 2003). Women are at greatest risk of homicide at the point of separation or after leaving a violent partner (Lees, 2000)
View the Domestic Violence FAQs (pdf) for full information on domestic violence.
View the Domestic Violence Bibliography (pdf) for references.
