It is almost hard to fully comprehend effects of domestic violence can have on anyone and anything that crosses its path. The destructive force as well as the corrosiveness can impact a family community or even entire counties. That last one is not an exaggeration. Any country that turns a blind eye to it or in essence hands the abuser the right to abuse is a prime example of that corrosiveness.

Here in the US there have been quite a number of encouraging signs. For instance since The Violence Against Women Act was passed in 1994 the number of victims reporting abuse to law enforcement has increased dramatically. And across the country close to seven hundred laws have been implemented to fight domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This is a major victory considering the previous attitude was to trivialize the abuse or to take a "its none of our business approach" because in their opinion it was strictly a personal matter.

These developments are good news but they arguably do little to comfort the victims who are living the nightmare at this very moment. They know too well the devastating effects of domestic violence.

1. Separation

For the abuser it is all about power and control. A big part of that is to have absolute authority about who the victim can and cannot see. In many instances they are cut off completely from family and friends.

2. Self Esteem

It takes a lot of strength for the victim to leave the cycle of domestic violence. Yet after it's over the victim has to devote a great deal of time to rebuilding their self esteem. That's a project that has timetable. For the person still in an abusive relationship, no such opportunity exists. The constant physical and verbal assault they are being subjected to is designed to make sure to destroy any thoughts or feelings of self respect.

3. Witnesses in The Shadows

The damage done to the victim is bad enough but if there are young children in the house then what they are seeing on an all too regular basis is taking an incalculable toll. They can view what's going on and decide that they never want to be in a relationship or come to the conclusion that this is how a relationship is supposed to be. Which means that the abuser is creating a future abuser that when they reach adulthood will be fully prepared to make someone else's life a walking horror story.