Hesperian Health Guides
Harmful Effects of Violence
HealthWiki > Where Women Have No Doctor > Chapter 18: Violence Against Women > Harmful Effects of Violence
Violence against women can cause:
- mental health challenges such as low self-worth, depression, anxiety, and problems with eating or sleeping. Some women try to cope with abuse by using drugs or alcohol.
- physical injuries such as broken bones, burns, cuts, and bruises, as well as longer term health problems like headaches, back and muscle pain, and digestive system problems. Women who are violently abused are also more likely to develop diabetes and heart problems.
- sexual health problems such as unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sexual abuse may lead to loss of sexual desire, fear of having sex, and pain during sex.
- pregnancy complications. Violence during pregnancy can cause miscarriage and babies born very small or very early.
- death.
When a woman is abused at home, her children believe that this is how girls and women should be treated.
When children witness violence against women, this can cause:
- physical injury if children are caught in the violence or try to protect women.
- mental health challenges such as low sense of self-worth, anxiety, depression, sleep problems and nightmares, or behavior problems. Some children learn from seeing violence to become angry or aggressive, while others withdraw to escape notice. Older children may try to cope through drug use and sexual activity.
- physical health problems. Violence in families can keep children from getting healthy food or medical care. Children may develop signs like stomach aches, headaches, and breathing problems.
In the community, violence against women can cause:
- the loss of women’s voices and ideas when they become isolated, repressed, and participate less in the community.
- the continued low status of women.
- the continued cycle of violence when the community does not act to end it.
This page was updated:22 Jan 2024