What We Don't Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us

Domestic violence is a widespread issue that affects individuals and families across the globe. Its impact goes beyond physical harm, leaving deep emotional scars that can last a lifetime. However, there is still much that society does not know about domestic violence, which can result in devastating consequences.

Understanding the complexities of domestic violence is paramount in order to provide proper support and prevent further harm. By delving into the depths of this pressing issue, we can better equip ourselves with knowledge that can potentially save lives.

The Silent Suffering Behind Closed Doors

Domestic violence thrives in secrecy, often remaining hidden behind closed doors. Victims, fearful of the consequences, may be unwilling to speak out or seek help. This silence perpetuates a cycle of abuse that can lead to tragic outcomes.

No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us

by Rachel Louise Snyder(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2889 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	325 pages
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When society remains unaware or ignorant of the signs and prevalence of domestic violence, victims' pleas for help often go unnoticed. By shedding light on this topic, we can break down the barriers that prevent victims from seeking assistance.

Challenging Stereotypes and Misconceptions

One of the greatest dangers in addressing domestic violence lies in the stereotypes and misconceptions that surround the issue. Many people falsely believe that only certain demographics are affected, or that victims should simply leave their abusers to escape the violence.

The reality is far more complex. Domestic violence does not discriminate based on age, gender, socioeconomic status, or any other factor. It can happen to anyone, and leaving an abusive relationship is often an incredibly challenging decision to make due to various factors, including financial constraints, fear for personal safety, or lack of support networks.

By educating ourselves about the nuances of domestic violence, we can dispel these harmful myths and provide the empathy and understanding victims need.

The Psychological Toll

While physical injuries caused by domestic violence are visible, the psychological trauma inflicted upon victims may not be as apparent. Emotional and mental scars can impact victims long after the physical wounds have healed, leading to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Furthermore, children who witness domestic violence suffer from emotional trauma that can affect their development and future relationships. The effects of domestic violence ripple through generations, perpetuating a cycle that needs to be broken.

Recognizing the psychological impact of domestic violence is crucial in providing comprehensive support and healing for victims.

The Role of Society

Addressing domestic violence requires a collective effort from society as a whole. It is not solely the responsibility of the victim to seek help, but rather the duty of society to extend a helping hand.

Providing accessible resources, safe shelters, and public awareness campaigns are just a few ways in which society can support victims of domestic violence. Education and prevention programs must also be implemented to ensure that future generations grow up in a world where domestic violence is eradicated.

Breaking the Cycle

Ultimately, breaking the cycle of domestic violence necessitates a multi-faceted approach. It requires education, awareness, and empathy from every individual to effect substantial change.

By being proactive in learning about domestic violence and challenging societal norms, we can create an environment where survivors feel empowered to come forward and seek help. It is through unity and understanding that we can raise our collective voice against domestic violence and protect those who may be suffering in silence.

Together, we can make a difference and save lives.

No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us

by Rachel Louise Snyder(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2889 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	325 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

WINNER OF THE HILLMAN PRIZE FOR BOOK JOURNALISM, THE HELEN BERNSTEIN BOOK AWARD, AND THE LUKAS WORK-IN-PROGRESS AWARD * A NEW YORK TIMES TOP 10 BOOKS OF THE YEAR * NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST * LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE FINALIST * ABA SILVER GAVEL AWARD FINALIST * KIRKUS PRIZE FINALIST
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF 2019 BY: Esquire, Amazon, Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, BookPage, BookRiot, Economist, New York Times Staff Critics
“A seminal and breathtaking account of why home is the most dangerous place to be a woman . . . A tour de force.” -Eve Ensler
"Terrifying, courageous reportage from our internal war zone." -Andrew Solomon
"Extraordinary." -New York Times ,“Editors' Choice”
“Gut-wrenching, required reading.” -Esquire
"Compulsively readable . . . It will save lives." -Washington Post
“Essential, devastating reading.” -Cheryl Strayed, New York Times Book Review
An award-winning journalist's intimate investigation of the true scope of domestic violence, revealing how the roots of America's most pressing social crises are buried in abuse that happens behind closed doors.
We call it domestic violence. We call it private violence. Sometimes we call it intimate terrorism. But whatever we call it, we generally do not believe it has anything at all to do with us, despite the World Health Organization deeming it a “global epidemic.” In America, domestic violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime, and yet it remains locked in silence, even as its tendrils reach unseen into so many of our most pressing national issues, from our economy to our education system, from mass shootings to mass incarceration to #MeToo. We still have not taken the true measure of this problem.

In No Visible Bruises, journalist Rachel Louise Snyder gives context for what we don't know we're seeing. She frames this urgent and immersive account of the scale of domestic violence in our country around key stories that explode the common myths-that if things were bad enough, victims would just leave; that a violent person cannot become nonviolent; that shelter is an adequate response; and most insidiously that violence inside the home is a private matter, sealed from the public sphere and disconnected from other forms of violence. Through the stories of victims, perpetrators, law enforcement, and reform movements from across the country, Snyder explores the real roots of private violence, its far-reaching consequences for society, and what it will take to truly address it.