Violence in Poland is a serious social problem, affecting thousands of people every year. Determining the actual scale of this phenomenon is difficult because it affects people from different groups – women, men (here the statistics are even more vague), and children (both from adults and peers). Violence can be experienced in various places – not only at home, but also, for example, at work or school, which further complicates identifying the exact number of victims. In this article, we will present key signals indicating the experience of violence.
Types of violence
Awareness of the existence of different forms of violence is crucial because it does not always leave visible marks. Without this knowledge, both the environment and the person experiencing it may not realize that abuse is occurring. Understanding these mechanisms allows for quicker recognition of threats, appropriate response, and more effective support for those affected by violence. Moreover, informed individuals can better recognize the first signs of toxic relationships and avoid entering into relationships based on control or manipulation.
The most common types of violence are:
- physical – all forms of aggression towards the body, e.g., hitting, kicking, choking, pushing,
- psychological (emotional) – humiliation, manipulation, intimidation, controlling, threats,
- sexual – rape, harassment, coercion into sexual acts, violating intimate boundaries,
- economic – taking away access to money, forcing financial dependency, controlling expenses,
- institutional – improper treatment by state institutions, e.g., neglect in social care,
- peer (bullying) – persecution, mocking, tormenting among children and youth,
- digital (cyberbullying) – harassment, threats, compromising online, sharing private content,
- mobbing – systematic persecution at work, psychological harassment by superiors or coworkers,
- racial – discrimination, harassment, or aggression towards people of different ethnic origins,
- gender-based – unequal treatment, violence against women, men, or non-binary individuals,
- religious – persecution or discrimination based on faith or lack thereof.
From the perspective of the affected person
Recognizing violence, especially when it lasts for a long time, is a difficult challenge. A person affected by such a situation may downplay their experiences, justify the perpetrator, or blame themselves. However, there are certain signals that can help understand that the situation they are in is abusive. First and foremost, attention should be paid to one’s emotions and well-being. If you often feel fear of the other person’s reaction, avoid them to prevent conflict, or constantly feel depressed and have low self-esteem, it may be a sign that you are experiencing violence. Constant tension, a sense of guilt, and the need to adjust to the other person’s expectations at the expense of your own needs are warning signals.
Another important indicator is the perpetrator’s actions. Violence is not always physical – it can be psychological, emotional, economic, or sexual. If someone belittles you, controls your finances, limits your contact with other people, threatens you, or makes you feel completely dependent on them, you are likely experiencing violence. Also, repeated apologies from the perpetrator and promises of improvement, followed by another act of aggression, are part of the so-called cycle of violence.
It is also worth paying attention to the reactions of those around you. Do your loved ones express concern about your relationship? Do you notice that you hide certain situations from family and friends because you are ashamed of them or afraid of judgment? If so, it is worth considering whether this is the result of manipulation and control by the perpetrator. Awareness that you are experiencing violence is the first step to changing the situation.
If you have experienced violence and are looking for support, check our help map.
From the perspective of the environment
Disturbing signs of violence can be difficult to notice, especially when the victim tries to hide them. Frequent bruises and injuries are some of the first warning signs – if someone regularly appears with new injuries and explains them with vague stories, it may indicate physical violence. Many people experiencing violence wear long clothes even on hot days to hide the marks of beating.
There are often situations when a person who was previously sociable suddenly starts avoiding meetings with family and friends. They explain it as fatigue or lack of time. This may result from the controlling behavior of the perpetrator of violence, who isolates them from loved ones to make it difficult for them to seek help. This is often accompanied by symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loss of joy in life. Victims of violence are also constantly tense and alert, as if they fear the other person’s reaction to their every move. Someone who previously made independent decisions stops doing so.
Signs of fear of making a mistake also appear – the victim tries to avoid conflicts at all costs to not provoke aggression. They may also start justifying the perpetrator, explaining their outbursts with a bad day, stress, or their own inappropriate behavior.
Not every signal means violence – what matters is their sum. A bruise can be the result of an ordinary accident, and social withdrawal may be related to stress or personal problems. The key is to observe whether these symptoms occur together and persist over a longer period.
Violence is not always physical. Financial control, excessive jealousy, or restricting freedom are forms of psychological and economic violence. A person may not have access to their own money and be forced to ask for funds for basic needs. Another sign may be a reluctance to return home – if someone deliberately extends their stay at work or frequently cancels meetings at the last minute, they may be afraid of what awaits them behind the door. Often, people experiencing violence try to cope with trauma by abusing alcohol or sedatives. Conversations may also include jokes or allusions to violence – downplaying difficult situations is a defense mechanism that hides the true scale of the problem. Therefore, if you notice these symptoms in someone, do not ignore them. Talking, showing support, and encouraging them to seek help can save someone’s health or even life.
