Domestic Violence

Tags: relationships violence

People from all walks of life are affected by domestic violence, often with catastrophic consequences. Simply put, domestic violence is the result of a family member -- it could be the Partner, boyfriend or girlfriend, son or daughter, grandparent, or perhaps an in-law -- whose abusive behavior leads to outbreaks of violence.

Many transgendered persons experience some form of victimization as a direct result of their transgender identity or presentation. This victimization ranges from subtle forms of harassment and discrimination to blatant verbal, physical, and sexual assault, including beatings, rape and even homicide. The majority of assaults against transgender persons are never reported the police. A link between these experiences and mental health disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is widely suspected, but has not been adequately documented

Abusive behavior seldom goes away without help, and, in most cases, escalates over time.

As difficult as it can be to acknowledge that someone in your family may have indications of abusive behavior, knowing how to recognize the early warning signs of potential domestic violence and seeking help before it has a chance to become a real problem can make a positive--perhaps even lifesaving--difference in all of your lives.