Rape victims can suffer abrasions and contusions of the head and neck, as well as vulvar contusions and lacerations. Unwanted pregnancies and STD transmission can also occur in rape. The psychological consequences of abuse are often the most severe and long lasting. Initial reactions to abuse include shock, denial, disbelief, withdrawal and fear. Some women remain passive and withdrawn or suffer eating and sleeping disorders, fatigue chronic anxiety and depression.
Some women develop drug and alcohol problems.
Others suffer recurring headaches, chest pain, heart palpitations, pelvic pain, numbness and tingling and choking sensations. Some battered women commit suicide to escape the abuse. Children who grow up in a home where violence occurs against their mothers are more likely to be abused themselves. The male children of violent husbands are likely to become violent husbands themselves and the female children are more likely to become battered wives. Women in this stage still are in denial about the problem of abuse.