{"id":25849,"date":"2014-10-28T10:10:11","date_gmt":"2014-10-28T17:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?page_id=25849"},"modified":"2015-08-26T15:03:31","modified_gmt":"2015-08-26T22:03:31","slug":"spousal-abuse","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/spousal-abuse\/","title":{"rendered":"Spousal Abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SpousalSpousal abuse<\/strong><\/span>, also referred to as domestic violence<\/a> or intimate partner violence, is a behavioral cycle that involves emotional, physical, or sexual violence<\/a>\u00a0inflicted on an\u00a0individual in a domestic context, such as cohabitation or marriage. Anyone can be a victim, regardless of race, gender<\/a>, age, sexual orientation<\/a>, or economic background. According to the United States Department of Justice, 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of physical violence by an intimate partner annually.<\/p>\n

The consequences of spousal abuse extend\u00a0beyond perpetrators and victims,\u00a0affecting their immediate family<\/a>, friends, and communities. Children witness spousal abuse, neighbors may be pulled into the violence, the abused may withdraw from family and friends, and so on. Spousal abuse goes beyond the walls of any one person\u2019s home.<\/p>\n

What Is Spousal Abuse?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Spousal abuse, a more narrowly defined version of domestic violence, entails a variety of mechanisms employed by one partner to control or manipulate the other partner. One partner may be the sole\u00a0abuser, or in some cases both partners actively abuse each other in one or more ways. Spousal abuse can be physical, sexual, or psychological in nature.<\/p>\n

Spousal Abuse Statistics You Should Know<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health reports that girls who experienced\u00a0childhood abuse or exposure to violence were approximately six times more likely to experience physical or sexual abuse\u00a0in\u00a0adulthood. In the United States, approximately 10% of adult men and 29% of adult women have experienced serious stalking, rape, and\/or physical abuse<\/a> from an intimate partner at one point in their lives. The financial costs related to domestic violence are estimated to be in excess of $8.3 billion annually, with most of that money going toward medical and mental health care.<\/p>\n

Psychological Effects of Spousal Abuse<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Violent relationships<\/a> usually undergo a cycle that can be difficult to recognize, but has clear psychological effects on the abused partner. It often begins with tension<\/a>, arguments, threats, and anger<\/a>. These behaviors and emotions escalate in the relationship and are usually followed by a violent incident that can be physical, emotional, or sexual. Afterward, the abuser will\u00a0often\u00a0make attempts to apologize, make excuses, or try to reconcile the relationship. There may be\u00a0a period of calm, and then the cycle repeats itself. This cycle of abuse often worsens over time and can lead the victim to experience:<\/p>\n