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Domestic Violence Against Women in Canada Essay

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Introduction Intimate partner violence has been a significant issue for centuries in all countries. "Since 1974, nearly 2,600 spousal homicides have been recorded in Canada" (Bunge, 2002). Of these homicides, more than three-quarters have been against women. Although through feminism and the women's liberation movement, there has been a slight improvement in the incidences of violence against women, there has also been a drastic change in the perception of the issue by society. After reviewing the most recent literature on violence against women and victimization through intimate partners, it has become prevalent that there are now two crucial stances that are taken. The first position is that of the women being victimized as the …show more content…

For example, "changing nature of intimate relationships, increasing gender equality, legislative changes, policy and procedural changes, etc."(Bunge, 2002). Between 1974 and 2000, "the homicide rate for women decreased by 62% and the homicide rate for men dropped by more than half -55%" (Bunge, 2002) which demonstrates the drastic decline in intimate partner violence including homicides. Secondly, one of the general concepts behind the literature examined would be the idea that intimate partner violence is now going through a process of normalization. "For instance, popular women's magazines frame domestic violence in a way that normalizes the victims's responsibility while ignoring the role of the abuser and society" (Berns, 2001). "Individuals construct their own conceptions of what is normal and acceptable. These conceptions, what Cicourel (1968) calls "background expectancies" govern all social interaction" (Berns, 2001). With the norms that society creates being the main control of interaction amongst society, it is clear that by allowing the perspective of intimate partner violence as 'normal' will create unawareness about the issue and may perpetuate further issues. "Women who have respect and power outside the home through community activities, including participation in microcredit schemes, are less likely to be abused than those who do not" (Jewkes, 2002).

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