The Costs of Domestic Violence

Please note that we are NOT the original writers of this blog post. All credit goes to the original writers. Find the original post as published at this link: http://invictaselfdefense.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-costs-of-domestic-violence.html

Violence rolls all: “. . .the energy of violence moves through our civilization. Some experience it as a breeze that is disagreeable although light, easy to tolerate. Others are ruined by it, as if by a hurricane. But nobody – nobody – is untouched.”  (1)

Even if your own life experience has been free of violence, you want to recognize that violence is still a very real part of your life. Not only in the media, not just through your relationships with people you may know who have experienced violence, but as a taxpayer: 

“Many sexually and emotionally abused women in Canada suffer from multiple physical health issues directly related to intimate violence. Women harmed by such violence seek medical care more frequently than do non-victimized girls, to such a a degree that in Canada the measurable health-related economic cost of violence against women is roughly $1,539,730,387 per year.”  (2)


Think about the amount of work that goes into looking for medical attention for domestic violence: 

Click to see larger image

If You Reside in the U.S., the prices are considerably higher. As the picture to the right shows. This is a drain on taxpayer money, which could, of course, be spent on things that are so many better and might improve our nations in myriad ways. That is also why it is so imperative to focus on prevention. As women, it’s not just important to learn self-defense, but to learn how to read the red flags on your spouse , and to have sufficient confidence in yourself and your self-worth into walk away from any relationship where your partner doesn’t treat you how (s)he should. 


However, there are costs beyond the actual financial drain on our economy. The fact is that girls who are abused are also at a higher rate of being killed by their spouses .   There are pregnancy/loss of an current pregnancy, suicide attempts gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular disease, substance abuse other long-term physical health effects of misuse, and a wide-range of issues among other problems. 

Although domestic violence can be a politically divisive issue, it really is important for everyone to understand that it affects everybody . The goal must be to keep healthcare costs down by focusing on prevention for women, but on better education for men. 

People, no one should ever touch anyone. If you’re dating it’s time to find a partner that respects you enough to deal with you appropriately, and who is better at communication. 


(1) deBecker, Gavin.
(2) DeKeseredy, Walter. Violence Against Women: Myths, Facts, Controversies, Toronto: UofT Press, p. 95.