Recently, I was made aware of two events that occurred in two rural communities. In one event, a man with a long history of beating his spouse, was found dead, in an apparent suicide. He had reportedly beaten his wife and she required hospitalisation. Fearing that she was dead he decided to end his own life.

In the other incident, the man had also allegedly beaten his wife, and she was hospitalised, but he received an erroneous report that she had died. He then proceeded to kill himself.

I also watched the Barbadian superstar, Rihanna , discuss her story of abuse on a major US television network station. She revealed how her own mother was a victim of abuse and how she, a 'strong' woman, became a victim.

Risk groups for abuse

Domestic violence is violence that occurs between partners in intimate relationships. Although men can suffer from domestic abuse, the victims are usually women. Women of all ages, socio-economic conditions, ethnicity and educational background, can be affected but some factors place women more at risk.

These include women with chronic illnesses or disabilities; women who live in rural areas, women who are very dependent on their partners and women who are not in close proximity to social support. Younger women, especially teenagers and pregnant women, are also at a higher risk.

Unfortunately, for many women the first violent episode occurs during their pregnancy. The abuse increases her risk of losing the baby, giving birth to a premature baby or having a smaller-than normal baby.

Although there are no special characteristics that abused women share, repeated abuse may lead to abnormal behaviour. Abused women may appear very dependent on their partners or very passive. They are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol or have an eating disorder.

Traits of the abuser

Like the abused, abusers can also be from any socio-economic class but they do tend to share certain experiences or traits. Many abusers were either victims of abuse or had witnessed an abusive relationship. They have often been violent in a prior relationship, tend to be immature, needy, overly jealous and have low self-esteem. They are often unemployed or have difficulty with employment.

If a woman is abused by her partner it is likely to occur again despite his expression of regret, pleas for forgiveness and promises that it will not be repeated. The subsequent attacks are usually more violent than the ones before. As dangerous as the physical violence may be, women often find the psychological abuse even worse.

If you are being abused seek the help of someone you trust such as your doctor or church officers. Enlist help to safely get out of the relationship and out of harm's way. Your life may depend on it.

Dr Monique Rainford is a consulting obstetrician and gynaecologist; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.