The Public Health Impact of Domestic Violence - Daily News Egypt
The percentage of women worldwide who are beaten during their pregnancy is between 25% and 45%. The harmful effects of domestic violence against women also extend to their children. Children who grow up in families where there is domestic violence are prone to a wide range of behavioural and emotional disturbances. One of three abused children becomes an adult abuser or victim. Domestic violence by a partner has also been associated with higher rates of infant and child mortality and morbidity.
Violence against women also has a high economic cost for society. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the cost of the consequences of violence against women at $37bn annually. This violence results in almost two million injuries and nearly 1,300 annual deaths.
In addition to the WHO, domestic violence as a public health issue has been recognised by organisations such as the Inter-American Commission of Women of the Organization of American States (OAS). “Health systems should be the main door for detection, treatment and support for victims of violence against women,” states Carmen Barroso, Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s Western Hemisphere. However, the response continues to be inadequate. There are more animal shelters than shelters for battered women in the US.
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