A Thousand Splendid Suns : Domestic Violence Essay

Statistic’s have suggested violence is perpetrated against women in almost half of all marriages (Domestic Violence).Statistic’s gathered from 1994 indicate domestic violence causes almost 100,000 days of hospitalization, 30,000 emergency room visits, 40,000 trips to the doctor every year, and 50% of all homeless woman and their children are fleeing domestic violence( Domestic Violence).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2016) states “intimate partner violence includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats of physical or sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression…by a current or former intimate partner”. Furthermore, the CDC reports that “more than 1 in 3 women (35.6%)…in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, nearly 1 in 3 women (30.3%) has been slapped, pushed or shoved by an intimate partner…, and nearly half of all women in the U.S. (48.4%) have experienced at least one form of psychological aggression with 4 in 10 (40.3%) reporting some form of expressive aggression (e.g., their partner

One out of every 4 men experiences domestic violence. Those individuals who have been victims of domestic violence

There are usually not many reports made about same-sex violence because many were ashamed or thought their situation would not get heard. These individuals feel like their problems would be determined less serious over heterosexual abuse situations. “Lesbian and Gays are more reluctant to report abuse to legal authorities because they fear that they are showing a lack of solidarity among the gay and lesbian community. Many individuals may think there is a difference between the risk factor among heterosexual couples and same-sex couples, however there is no major difference. Also, according to Seccombe (2015) “The rate of abuse in gay and lesbian relationships is similar to or even higher than that in heterosexual relationships, around 25 to 30 percent” (p.322). As we look at the lesbian and gay community we see that they just want to fit in, so this is another reason their stories become unknown. There are many reason to think only woman get victimized, men are victimized, as well. To add, the individuals who describe themselves in the female role are victimized, based on the gender norms where woman should be unassertive and house labors instead of being in the workforce. So, therefore, there is not a major difference or any difference between the risk factors between the heterosexuals and the lesbian and gay intimate

Domestic abuse in the United States is a large-scale and complex social and health problem. The home is the most violent setting in America today (Lay, 1994). Sadly enough, the majority of people who are murdered are not likely killed by a stranger during a hold-up or similar crime but are killed by someone they know. Not surprisingly, the Center for Disease Control and prevention has identified interpersonal violence as a major public health problem (Velson-Friedrich, 1994). Current estimates suggest that three to four million women are the victims of physical abuse by their intimate partners (Harris & Cook, 1994). According to the FBI, some form of domestic violence occurs in half of the homes in the United States at least once a

“Almost one-third of female homicide victims that are reported in police records are killed by an intimate partner.”

“Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is defined as a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as economic coercion that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partners” (Peeks-Asa). When it comes to domestic violence many people don’t want to get involved, but if just one person took a stand maybe others would follow and potentially save a life, like the neighbors did in The Day It Happened by Rosario Morales. Domestic violence can happen to anyone at any time, there is no typical victim or perpetrator. The fact that there is no one specific group that domestic violence occurs in more than another, only makes it more difficult to get an accurate

Intimate partner violence, including both dating and spousal violence, accounts for one in every four violent crimes reported to police. In 2011, there were approximately 97,500 victims of intimate partner violence, representing a rate of 341 victims per 100,000 population. The vast majority of these victims (80%) were women.

Moreover, victims could experience headaches, abdominal pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath, hypertension, or worsened respiratory illness. They will have bruises on the abdomen, back, head, neck, face, beasts, or genitals. Also, “Injured private parts, breasts, or abdomens are especially common in abused women who are pregnant”. Psychological issues embody depression and anxiety. Also, domestic violence occurs in homosexual relationships, not just in heterosexual relationships. One statistic states that “the prevalence of domestic violence among Gay and Lesbian couples is approximately 33%” (ABA 2). Unfortunately, homosexuals receive fewer protections even though they have

With approximately 1.3 million women being victimized by an intimate partner each year and one in every four women experiencing domestic violence at some point in her life-time, domestic violence, also referred to as intimate partner violence Even after decades of increased activism and raised awareness by government agencies, the public and many nonprofit organizations, domestic violence still remains a serious problem within the United States.

Approximately 1.3 million women are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States. In a 1995–1996 study conducted through the fifty states including the District of Columbia, it was found that nearly 25% of women were raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or dating/acquaintance at some time in their lifetime (American Bar Association, 2010). According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1998 and 2002, of the almost 3.5 million crimes committed against family members, almost half of these were crimes against spouses. Eighty-four of those spouse abuse victims were females. In 2001, intimate partner violence made up 20% of all nonfatal

It is also known that domestic violence usually increases in frequency and intensity. Research has shown that about 2 to 4 million women will experience some kind of domestic violence each year in the United States, and about 23% to 34% of women will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. This aggression towards women results in physical injuries, physical health problems, psychological disturbance, and, in some cases, death.

1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime

As of 2014, the number of women who had been physically abused by their partner in a relationship was 38 million. The APA’s data shows that almost 5 million women experienced physical abuse by an intimate partner. Data also revealed that while 1 in 4 women would be abused, 1 in 7 men would also suffer from intimate partner abuse. 40 to 45% of women would be in an abusive relationship where they were raped or assaulted. The statistics available show that not only in domestic violence prevalent in our society, it is also a huge problem that must be dealt with.

In a study conducted by Hines and Saudino (2002), domestic violence in close, intimate relationships is a country wide problem within the United States. The last nationally conducted survey found that an estimated 16 percent of married Americans experienced domestic violence within the previous year. That means that approximately 8.7 million couples have been affected by domestic violence (Hines, Saudino 2002).