Breaking Cycles of Violence
Putting a stop to domestic violence can have ripple effects for generations to come.
The phrase is so commonly repeated that it’s become a cliche: hurt people hurt people.
People generally accept as true the belief that those who experience abuse are more likely to abuse others; within the domestic violence movement, there’s even a term for this belief: the “cycle of violence hypothesis.”
While the reality of human experience is, of course, more complicated than any one-liner, there is evidence on the generational effects of trauma from domestic violence. According to the Office on Women’s Health, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there’s an objective increase in the likelihood of recurring violence when children have been in a home in which domestic violence has occurred:
A boy who sees his mother being abused is 10 times more likely to abuse his female partner as an adult.
A girl who grows up in a home where her father abuses her mother is more than six times as likely to be sexually abused as a girl who grows up in a non-abusive home.
And there's not only an increased risk of abuse perpetuating itself — numerous studies have shown an increased likelihood for health effects in these children, whether it be physical health risks or increased chances of mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Trauma creates a lasting mark, but repeat violence isn’t inevitable, and the effects of abuse don’t have to endure forever. There are numerous ways for survivors of domestic violence to create healthy patterns for themselves, their loved ones, and their future families, but it all starts with getting help. The Spring exists to give victims of violence a safe space, as well as the services they need, to feel safe and empowered. We strive to help victims reclaim their lives and break the cycle of generational violence once and for all.
Click here to learn how we were able to help one family in the Tulsa area break the cycle and create a brighter future.
Change is possible, and it’s everyone’s responsibility.
If you or someone you know needs help escaping a violent situation, please dial 911 or call our 24/7 hotline at 918-245-4075. You can also consider joining the fight against domestic violence in Oklahoma by donating or exploring volunteer opportunities.
