Domestic violence is largely a hidden crime, unreported,  masked in shame, blame, and fear or just socially ignored. Demographically, the number one victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse are children, the most neglected, vulnerable, under represented and least protected members of society, and the number one perpetrators of Domestic Violence and Abuse against children are women, the most represented and protected members of society. 

Spousal Violence – Spouses, husbands and wives, and partners come a joint second with little between them. Men tend to tolerate abuse and violence without reporting it. And it is seen as comical when a woman attacks or assaults a man on television. Unless there is a significant injury, usually caused by the use of a weapon, generally, society and women do not regard women hitting men as violent, abusive or assault.  Furthermore, women seem to instigate more violence within relationships than men do. However, having said that, obviously, despite what we are lead to believe in cinema where a 100lb woman can successfully defeat multiple 200lb men, in altercations between men and women, it is generally women who are more likely to be injured. It is thus ‘reasonable’ to say that most violence in relationships is reciprocal.

Domestic Violence and Abuse can take many forms including:

• Violent Attacks
• Sexual Abuse and Rape
• Restraining and Imprisoning
• Humiliation
• Destruction of Property
• Fear and Intimidation
• Unreasonable and overbearing Control
• Emotional manipulation and abuse
• Neglect

The statistics concerning Domestic violence perpetrated by current or ex partners are unreliable since as a crime it largely goes unreported and only is recorded when police or other agents of the law are involved. If you are in or have been in an abusive relationship Therapy can help you. If you are the perpetrator of abuse Therapy can also help you. Therapy is a safe, non judging relationship in which anyone can work to improve their relationship with themselves, others and the world.

Counselling and Psychotherapy can help

• Victims
  • Increase self esteem, courage and motivation to change the nature of their relationships or end an abusive relationship.
  • Understand why perhaps there may has been a string of abusive relationships and change the nature of relating to self which may allow or encourage such relationships to form
  • Undo the emotional damage done by abuse or at lease help come to terms with it
  • Raise self-empowerment, self-respect, self-belief, self-reliance, self-esteem courage, resilience, and self-love.
• Perpetrators
  • Overcome the need to use oppression, abuse and violence as a means of getting needs met
  • Understand what is being expressed through abuse
  • Improve self-respect and self-esteem
  • Find healthy outlets for stress, frustration, anger and resentment and discover the causation behind such feelings and understand, reduce and manage them
  • Improve relational and communication skills
  • Change the perception of what is acceptable behaviour moving away from the cycle of abuse.
• Children
  • Break the cycle of abuse by helping children understand the true nature of health relationships for themselves and others
  • Provide a safe place to express their emotions, fears, concerns and needs.
  • Improve self esteem and self awareness
  • Provide health and timely outlets for stress and frustration
  • Improve relational and communication skills

Therapy has much to offer with respect to all forms of relational difficulties and there is no need to suffer in silence or live in fear. Please feel free to Contact Us to confidentially discuss your needs.