Domestic abuse casts a tragic shadow over society in the UK. While official statistics indicate high rates of reported incidents, experts agree the actual number is drastically under-reported. Only by giving voice to the suffering can we hope to combat this hidden epidemic but why do so many victims choose not to come forward, and what can be done to encourage more reporting?
Living Under Constant Threat
A leading cause of under-reporting is the severe, paralyzing fear many victims live under. Abusive partners often directly threaten further violence or even death should the victim try to leave or confide in anyone about the abuse. Victims know perhaps better than anyone the dangerous volatility their partner is capable of and take these threats very seriously. They may have already been subjected to escalating acts of physical, psychological and sexual violence should they “step out of line.”
This climate of terror creates a prison-like environment for the victim, trapped in the relationship and stripped of all agency. Their partner dictates every aspect of their life – who they see, where they go, what they wear. Escape seems impossible. Even attempting to report abuse to authorities is frought with risk. Laws intended to protect victims are insufficient, and restraining orders are just pieces of paper to many perpetrators. Victims rightly worry that coming forward will only enrage their partner and provoke potentially lethal retaliation. Stronger legal protections and proactive enforcement are clearly needed.
Shame and Stigma Keep Victims Silent
Apart from fear of their abuser, a tremendously powerful force preventing victims from reporting is intense shame, stemming from the stigma still attached to domestic violence. Admitting they are being victimized forces survivors to confront harsh judgement from society about why they didn’t leave the first time they were hit or insulted. Even family members may imply they somehow brought the abuse upon themselves or provoked their partner.
We must ensure all victims know they are not alone, they are believed, and they need not suffer in silence any longer. Share on XVictims internalize the message that the violence is a private “family matter” best kept hidden. Exposing it necessarily means revealing the dark truth about their relationship, a truth starkly at odds with the socially presentable façade their partner maintains in public. Victims are conditioned to keep up that façade, believing communities would rather preserve the illusion of a respected citizen than confront the fact that they are an abuser.
Trapped by Financial Insecurity
Economic dependency is another tool abusers exploit to trap their victims. One of the most effective methods of establishing control is seizing control of all financial assets and transactions. Victims may be given only a small “allowance” to manage household necessities, while every major expense is dictated by the abuser. Attempts to access funds without their permission brings violent retaliation. This restriction creates complete economic insecurity and dependency.
Leaving such financial captivity means a frightening leap into the unknown. Most victims have no savings or assets of their own. Shelters help provide immediate short-term housing, but long-term economic stability requires extensive support. From legal assistance, to secure housing, job skills training, childcare assistance and more – under-resourced victims need a robust infrastructure to empower them towards independence and prevent returning to the abuse.
Normalizing Abuse: From Subtle to Severe
One of the most tragic reasons abuse goes unreported is that victims are psychologically manipulated into accepting escalating mistreatment as “normal.” It rarely begins as severe physical battery. First come subtle put-downs, emotional manipulation, intimidation and controlling behavior. Victims rationalize this as not “real” abuse. Over time the severity intensifies, but intervals of nonviolence continue to reinforce the normalization.
Eventually violence becomes just another part of the sick dynamic defining the relationship. Victims no longer recognize their right to feel safe, respected and cherished. Friends, family, coworkers and helping professionals must watch for early warning signs and have the compassion and courage to intervene with support, resources and messaging that abuse is never acceptable.
Breaking The Cycle of Abuse Through Awareness
Domestic abuse proliferates in silence and denial. The strides made in recent decades towards more reporting and support for victims has been hard-won through painful awareness-raising by survivors willing to share their stories. The shame and stigma once totally enveloping the issue has been diminished, though more progress is still required. Continuing advocacy and education programs are still greatly needed, particularly those embracing intersectional perspectives accounting for the varied challenges faced by minority, immigrant and economically disadvantaged communities.
There are rising generations who need a model of relationships built on equality, trust and empowerment. Ending domestic violence begins at home, with each of us modeling healthy relationships and communicating intolerance for all forms of abuse. For those currently suffering, help and hope await them when they find the courage to speak out. But first we must ensure all victims know they are not alone, they are believed, and they need not suffer in silence any longer.