"While the devastation to these victims is real and immediate, there are also long-term consequences. A Duke University study published in Molecular Psychiatry (April 2012) showed that repeated episodes of violence actually alters a child’s DNA and they are more likely to develop chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, etc.) many years earlier than their peers who were not subjected to violence. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, a collaborative effort between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and San Diego’s Kaiser Permanente, has shown similar results – higher rates of chronic diseases earlier in life, higher rates of suicide, and other negative health effects. In addition, multiple studies have documented that children exposed to domestic violence are significantly more likely as adults to become perpetrators of such violence themselves....
Our goal should be putting HAVEN out of business and not giving them a reason to exist. However, until we can eliminate domestic violence, each of us needs to get involved in some way to stop the ongoing and escalating violence...."
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