Domestic violence remains a hidden epidemic, impacting millions worldwide through not only physical but also psychological abuse, such as coercive control and financial exploitation. Observed each October, the goal of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is to increase public understanding of this crisis and inspire collective action.
The purpose of this article is to point out the impact of domestic violence and the ways that allies can better understand and support victim-survivors. Most people believe abuse is merely physical, but new studies are showing that other forms of abuse, while covert, can be just as damaging.
What is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)?
In October, many organizations affiliated with ending domestic violence put a lot of effort into educating the public about the realities of domestic violence in all its forms—from physical assault to the impact of coercive control. This year’s DVAM theme, “Heal, Hold and Center,” emphasizes compassionate, holistic survivor support through a focus on healing, community advocacy and centering survivors’ voices.
The Financial Impact Of Domestic Violence
The economic impact of domestic violence, which is often overlooked, affects the quality of life of survivors, with consequences that can last a lifetime. The CDC estimates that intimate partner violence costs the U.S. over $8.3 billion annually, including healthcare, lost productivity, and criminal justice services—now likely over $13 billion with inflation. Direct medical and mental health costs alone were estimated at $4.1 billion. Financial security is a delicate dance for many survivors, and the aftermath of abuse on their economic standing can last a lifetime. The CDC estimates that IPV leads to approximately 8 million lost paid workdays annually, and studies show that between 21% and 60% of IPV survivors lose jobs directly because of abuse, either from workplace harassment or absenteeism.
How Can Public Understanding Happen?
Education can be one of the most effective ways to understand the dynamics, patterns and broader influence of abuse. Professor Dale Margolin Cecka, assistant law professor and director of Albany Law School’s Family Violence Litigation Clinic, challenges common misconceptions.
“There is an underlying sentiment among the general population that because we criminally prosecute abusers, we have ‘solved’ domestic violence,” Cecka said.
This disconnect, she adds, fuels stigma around victim-survivors, reinforcing negative stereotypes about why survivors stay in abusive relationships. Cecka also noted how family courts, in particular, can encourage unhealthy power dynamics, often awarding custody to parents accused of abuse.
“Family courts award joint or sole custody to fathers accused of domestic violence about 70 percent of the time,” she said. Such practices can re-victimize survivors, particularly when coercive control is involved.
“Unless you have been very close to a victim, you have no idea how extraordinarily complicated these situations are,” Cecka noted. “Victims don’t open up because they are often socially isolated, degraded, ashamed and trapped. While the general population knows people in abusive situations, they often don’t understand what victims endure day in and day out. This also means the public doesn’t realize how inadequately our legal system (both criminal and civil) addresses abuse.”
The Role of AI and Social Media in Domestic Violence Investigations
Joshua Lee, an active-duty police sergeant and professor at Grand Canyon University with over a decade of experience, says that social media can make investigating cases of domestic violence more complicated. “Social media can be very damaging to the credibility of a case,” Lee explains. “I’ve encountered numerous domestic violence cases where victims have set up a narrative on social media with unsubstantiated claims of prior abuse or neglect. When the actual crime occurs, they present documentation from social media rather than official police reports. This almost always raises doubts about the victim’s credibility.”
Artificial intelligence is also influencing how law enforcement responds to and investigates domestic violence cases, bringing with it both advantages and challenges. “AI is significantly transforming how officers respond to and investigate crimes related to abuse,” explains Lee. “Law enforcement agencies now use advanced tools that analyze abuse data and create predictive models aimed at preventing potential violent crimes.”
But there are limitations to AI that make investigations tricky, and according to Lee, it can often set barriers for victims of domestic violence and law enforcement professionals trying to help.
“Conversely, AI also facilitates the creation of false evidence, such as manipulated injury photos or fabricated audio recordings that can misrepresent situations and complicate investigations,” Lee says. “I have already seen cases where the suspect denies complete involvement, but the victim has recorded audio of the suspect saying horrific things. Who is to be believed in these cases?”
Subtle Signs of Control and Coercion
AI has refined law enforcement’s approach to domestic violence, but human interactions often expose the subtle signs of coercive control that technology can miss. Lee recalls a case that started as a routine investigation, only to uncover something deeper.
“Years ago, I was investigating a found bicycle abandoned in the park. Normally, we would not do a lot of investigation simply because it is just a bike. Except this bike was very expensive and left unattended in a private park,” Lee said.
He would later use the serial number to trace the bike back to its owner.
“While speaking with the owner, who lived in a prominent neighborhood, I noticed her husband kept looking at us. He even got up and said, ‘Thank you for bringing the bike back, but you need to leave.’ His behavior, as well as his wife’s, was not normal, so I did some digging and discovered that the husband had complete control over his wife’s finances. A few weeks later, she called the police while he was at work, and we were able to provide her with the resources she needed to escape.”
Lee said training officers and healthcare providers to recognize these non-visible signs is invaluable.
“Training is key when learning to respond to non-visible signs of control. Teaching officers how to continue a conversation without drawing attention to the real reason behind that conversation is truly an art.”
Barriers to Seeking Help From Domestic Violence
Matthew D. Johnson, a psychology professor at Binghamton University, also noted that the complicated factors affecting a victim’s decision to stay include love, financial dependence and concern for pets or children.
“There are many reasons that someone might choose to stay in such a relationship or to return to one after spending time in a shelter,” Johnson explained, adding that even a single night in a shelter can be life-saving. Economic barriers, social isolation and logistical challenges create a daunting reality for survivors seeking safe exit strategies.
Johnson also said that the ways that the public perceives a survivor of domestic abuse can make or break the victim or survivor’s willingness to ask for help.
“Public cynicism can lead to a lack of empathy and support for victims. People may doubt the severity of the abuse or blame the victim for their situation, which can discourage victims from seeking help,” Johnson said. “Victims may also fear being judged or stigmatized if they dissolve their relationship or spend time in a shelter. Negative public attitudes can re-traumatize victims, making them feel invalidated and alone, which can hinder their ability to heal and move forward.”
Despite the economic impact of domestic violence, financial support for survivors remains limited and lawyers like Cecka, who was a Skadden Fellow at the Legal Aid Society of New York, advocates for policies that create long-term, sustainable solutions. “An urgent response should be housing, not just temporary shelters but permanent, affordable options,” she said. Cecka also noted the need for permanent programs that would provide survivors of domestic violence with affordable housing for themselves and their children, if applicable.
Resources For Domestic Violence Survivors
The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE), Love is Respect and RAINN are among some of the organizations working alongside attorneys, advocates and policymakers for systemic change regarding domestic violence. Other non-profits like NVRDC, Called to Peace Ministries and Victims Safe Harbor Foundation also offer specialized support systems for survivors.
The need for awareness around domestic violence will continue to drive discussion in the next few years. Breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions about domestic violence—particularly its non-physical forms—is one of the ways to understand and advocate. Managers, colleagues and organizations across all industries can also benefit from tapping into the nuances of domestic violence because workplaces ultimately can play a year-round, central role in supporting survivors, whether the abuse appears evident at first or not.
If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are resources available to support survivors as they find safety and rebuild their lives.