Domestic Violence Victims: Primary & Secondary

Domestic violence is a considerable problem in the U.S. & worldwide. Domestic violence in the U.S. affects roughly 10 million women and men annually with 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men affected. 

Domestic violence can leave a lasting impact on a victim. Victims of domestic violence can experience depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), physical ailments such as neurological disorders, nutritional deficiencies, chronic pain, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. 

There are primary and secondary victims of domestic violence. A primary victim is an individual who experiences first hand the abuse, while a secondary victim is an individual who witnesses the abuse. Typically, children are secondary victims of domestic violence but they can also be primary victims. Statistics state that, "1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence." 

FACT provides no cost therapeutic services to both primary and secondary victims of domestic violence. Therapy can help a victim learn healthy coping skills that are essential to the healing process.