A sense of safety within the family is one of the most fundamental elements of family and community health. Domestic violence harms not only the direct victim, but also the children who suffer the emotional impacts of witnessing violence. There is also a correlation between witnessing abuse as a child and becoming an abuser as an adult.
Domestic violence is a community issue as well as a personal and family issue.
Family stress, a contributor to domestic violence, may be exacerbated by factors in the community such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, and the need to work multiple low-wage jobs to meet expenses.