Domestic Violence

Stacy is a 30-year-old teacher married to Simon a 35-year-old Doctor. For the last 3 months, Stacy has been coming in to work with visible wounds on her body. At times she would come in with a black eye, and say that she had an eye infection. Other times, she came in limping and claimed that she fell from the stairs. Stacy was generally a bubbly and hardworking lady in school, but her aura would always change whenever working hours were over and it was time to go home.

She would look so tensed and sometimes even dreaded going home. Recently, we received devastating news that Stacy was no more. It was later found out that Simon, Stacy’s husband stabbed her with a knife after he was served for a meal that he did not want to have that evening. Stacy represents so many women globally who go through domestic abuse.

Domestic Violence is abuse that occurs in a domestic setting. It can assume multiple forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, religious, economic, reproductive or sexual abuse. It can range from subtle, coercive forms to marital rape and other violent physical abuse such as choking, beating, Female Genital Mutilation, that may result to disfigurement or death.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims. 19% of domestic violence involves a weapon. 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines daily. Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime. Women between the ages of 18- 24 are most commonly abused.

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or class. No one deserves to be abused. Abuse is not your fault. You are not alone.

By Kellyne Mwaura

Hospital Psychologist

Chiromo Hospital Group