Understanding the Victims of
Spousal Abuse

The victims of spousal abuse feel low self-esteem, guilt, fear, shame, sadness, depression, confusion, anxiety, and distrust. They deserve sympathetic understanding, dignity, support and acceptance in the social sphere.

Properly understanding the victims of spousal abuse means recognizing the fact that women victims, especially, need physical protection, advocacy, financial support, and jobs. They also need training on how to survive independently.

Women who have escaped spousal abuse need secured shelters. Their emotional and psychological issues need to be adequately addressed. Treatment and support programs for victims of spousal abuse should address the post-abuse depression state.

Spousal abuse is a repetitive process and displays an escalating pattern over time. Generally, the abuse is compounded if the victims do not get proper rehabilitation services, support, and access to justice system. The victims of spousal abuse run the risks of physical and mental health problems.

There is more. Spousal abuse hampers the ability of the victims to work. Nor are they able to maintain normal relationships with their children and loved ones. The self-efficacy and self-worth of the victims of spousal abuse are also destroyed.

Understanding the victims of spousal abuse includes extending our sympathy to them. We must understand that they are going through a difficult time in their lives.

Those who have escaped spousal and domestic abuse deserve the respect, and need the support of society. People tend to ignore this element, and do not give proper support to the victims of spousal abuse.

The worst part is that, most often the community misunderstands the victims of spousal abuse. People think, or are made to believe, that the vicitims are somehow responsible for the abuse. Moreover, sometimes relatives and people from the community, despite their sympathy for the victims, charge them with various wrongdoings.

Understanding the victims of spousal abuse requires placing them in proper perspective. At the societal level, both governmental and non-governmental organizations need to step forward and take more responsibility for the care of spousal abuse victims. Also, the legal system needs to be more sensitive and responsive.

In some cases, the women are not in a position to come out of the abusive situations, due to lack of education and/or financial dependence. These cases must be identified, and counseling and other services must be provided to both partners to stop the abuse.