Causes and Consequences of Family Violence

Introduction

Today we will look at the causes and consequences of family violence. We are going to be discussing the basic definition of family violence. Indicators a counselor should be aware of, what triggers could be associated with family violence, the long-term effects, and key elements of family violence.

Basic definition of family violence

The definition of family violence according to the textbook is, “any act or omission by persons who are cohabitating or living together as a family that results in serious injury to other members of the family”. The book also states, “Serious injury may involve physical or emotional harm or a violation of another family member’s rights and freedom of choice.” (Wallace & Roberson, 2013, p. 4) 

When we break it down, the words family violence has many gray areas. Family should not only include people living in the same residence. Many people that deal with emotional abuse from their family do not live with them this should also be considered emotional abuse which is a form of family violence. Therefore, we could use the definition of family violence as any action of harm by an individual that is related or cohabitating. This action can be but not to is, physical or emotional damage. The term family violence needs to have some gray areas because there are many things that can fit into the definition.

Indicators a counselor should be aware of

There are many things we would look for, injuries not consistent with the explanation given for them, stopping counseling out of nowhere, injuries that are not normally exposed to falls or rough games, injuries which have not received medical attention, reluctance to change for, or participate in, games or swimming, and shying away. Anyone in the human service field should now that this is not a checklist. Each person is different, and they will show different types of symptoms.

According to The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (AATES), “As they develop, children and teens who grow up with domestic violence in the household are: more likely to use violence at school or in the community in response to perceived threats, attempt suicide, use drugs, commit crimes, especially sexual assault, use violence to enhance their reputation and self-esteem, and become abusers in their own relationships later in life.” (Benedictis, Ph.D. & Jaffe, Ph.D., 2014)

Long-term effects violence has on the family