DV Victims PTSD
Most domestic violence victims suffer PTSD
"More than 70 percent of women who are victims of domestic violence exhibit the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a survey by Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry study panel.
The survey found that 20 percent of victims had attempted to kill themselves or thought about doing so.
It is widely recognized that victims of domestic abuse and violence suffer emotional trauma, but the survey's results have highlighted the necessity for such victims to receive mental care.
The survey was conducted between April 2001 and May this year on 148 women staying at a privately run shelter in Kanagawa Prefecture or similar public-run facilities who were judged by doctors and such public organizations as the police as victims of domestic violence.
All respondents had been staying at the facilities for one month or less and were interviewed by counselors first and assessed jointly by counselors and psychiatrists. The survey is the first on domestic violence victims of its size, according to the ministry.
Of the 148 women surveyed, 65 women, or 44 percent, were diagnosed as having full-blown PTSD symptoms.
Forty-six other women had flashbacks of their experiences. When combined with PTSD symptoms, 111 women, or 75 percent, suffered from varying degrees of PTSD symptoms.
From January 2003, the study panel began investigating the women's propensity toward suicide.
Of 77 women interviewed, 15 said they had either tried to kill themselves or thought about it in the month prior to the interview.
The survey also found that the women diagnosed as having full-blown PTSD symptoms experienced more extreme forms of psychological and sexual abuse than the others.
A nationwide survey conducted by the Cabinet Office three years ago found that one in five women had experienced some kind of domestic violence.
In response to this finding among other factors, a revised law on the prevention of domestic violence came into effect in December. Despite such efforts, support systems for the victims remain insufficient in terms of mental care... "
Yomiuri Shimbun, June 4th, 2005
"More than 70 percent of women who are victims of domestic violence exhibit the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a survey by Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry study panel.
The survey found that 20 percent of victims had attempted to kill themselves or thought about doing so.
It is widely recognized that victims of domestic abuse and violence suffer emotional trauma, but the survey's results have highlighted the necessity for such victims to receive mental care.
The survey was conducted between April 2001 and May this year on 148 women staying at a privately run shelter in Kanagawa Prefecture or similar public-run facilities who were judged by doctors and such public organizations as the police as victims of domestic violence.
All respondents had been staying at the facilities for one month or less and were interviewed by counselors first and assessed jointly by counselors and psychiatrists. The survey is the first on domestic violence victims of its size, according to the ministry.
Of the 148 women surveyed, 65 women, or 44 percent, were diagnosed as having full-blown PTSD symptoms.
Forty-six other women had flashbacks of their experiences. When combined with PTSD symptoms, 111 women, or 75 percent, suffered from varying degrees of PTSD symptoms.
From January 2003, the study panel began investigating the women's propensity toward suicide.
Of 77 women interviewed, 15 said they had either tried to kill themselves or thought about it in the month prior to the interview.
The survey also found that the women diagnosed as having full-blown PTSD symptoms experienced more extreme forms of psychological and sexual abuse than the others.
A nationwide survey conducted by the Cabinet Office three years ago found that one in five women had experienced some kind of domestic violence.
In response to this finding among other factors, a revised law on the prevention of domestic violence came into effect in December. Despite such efforts, support systems for the victims remain insufficient in terms of mental care... "
Yomiuri Shimbun, June 4th, 2005
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