A not uncommon problem that psychologists encounter is women or girls who have been victims of some type of abuse or violence. It actually is a world-wide problem. It occurs in America, in Minnesota, and in Lyon county.

The experience has a significant mental health impact on the victim. A woman cannot endure being battered, stalked, raped, or being psychologically abused without consequences. Some women experience multiple forms of abuse many times over their lifetime.

There have been a number of studies dealing with this problem, with a variety of results. For example, one study found that one in four couples have had at least one violent encounter.

Another suggested that there are as many as five million females over the age of 12 who experience some type of abuse every year. Another study found that over a lifetime about 50 percent are physically abused, and around 18 percent are raped or have experienced attempted rape.

Yet another study found that 8 percent are physically abused by their partner. Almost 25 percent of women have been stalked at some time in their life.

Psychological aggression can take many forms and it can be quite painful.

It frequently goes along with physical aggression. What types of impact may come from the trauma of psychological abuse?

Frequent put-downs, criticisms, and denigration by a partner may be expected to result in low self-esteem and a poor self-concept. A partner not showing and/or withholding love, affection, and/or caring not only damages esteem, it can trigger anxiety and or depression.

If the abusing partner frightens, intimidates, or uses threats, that may get compliance, but it also can result in anxiety and passivity.

Finally, if the partner tries to control and or restrict what she can and cannot do, the result can damage the woman’s ability to socialize as well as depression and passivity.

One perspective on violence against women is that the abuse may not be just one event. Rather, the violence may be seen as involving multiple experiences that may include sexual, physical, and psychological issues by one partner to the other. One woman may experience a variety of abuses.

One definition of physical abuse includes slapping, shoving, pushing, biting, kicking, hitting, choking, burning, using some type of weapon, or anything that results in injury or death. Sexual abuse also has a variety of forms that generally include unwanted sex acts that can include the threat of force, actual force, or if she is unable to give consent. A person may be stalked directly or by some type of surveilling. Yes, that really happens, and it happens more than you may think.

Who has the greater likelihood of being a victim?

One factor is age. Older women are less at risk of being a victim. Females in the range of 16 to 24 are more likely to be stalked. Younger women are also more likely to find themselves in an abusive relationship. The crime of rape is almost always perpetrated against younger females.

One study suggested that 54 percent of women in the study were victims of sexual assault before they turned 18. Age appears to be a factor worth keeping in mind. PTSD is a very frequent outcome.

Being stalked has its own set of consequences. It is possible that stalking can ultimately lead to some type of violence, and has done so in the past. This type of trauma can lead not just to anxiety and depression, but also anger, significant stress, impaired sleep, and more.

The fear of violence combined with a stalking pattern that is unpredictable and/or prolonged can have a serious negative impact on the victim’s mental health. I have seen both men and women who were stalking victims.

There is a rich literature and many studies that have examined the impact that the experience of being a victim of violence has on women. It is a frequent serious problem in our society. When it happens, it needs to stop ASAP.

Both the abuser and the victim will probably need psychotherapy, but for very different reasons.

— Dr. Joseph Switras provides clinical psychological services at United Health District in Fairmont to people age 5 and up.