Domestic Violence Social Problem

Domestic violence, alternatively referred to as Intimate Partner Violence, is defined by the Department of Justice as “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.” While domestic violence is commonly thought of as only physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence can also be emotional, economic, or psychological. Domestic violence has remained constant in society throughout history, even though over time society’s response to the issue has changed. While domestic violence affects everyone regardless of race, gender, age, etc. it is estimated that approximately 90% of all victims are women. For the purpose of this paper, I will be focusing on

Domestic violence (DV) has and continues to affect millions of, women, men, children and the elderly every day. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, defines Domestic violence as, “hurtful, repeated and intentional behavior that one person uses to maintain power and control over another in an intimate relationship.” (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, n.d.) Abuse impacts many individuals from various backgrounds. Abuse comes in many forms, verbal, emotional, physical, sexual and, covers a wide range of tactics to establish and maintain power and control. A predominant form of DV is Intimate Partner Violence is also known as (IPV,) which affects millions of people every year, primarily women

Domestic violence is an epidemic and the number one health concern in our country. There are more abusers and their victims compared to past years. As a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship, domestic violence is used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over another one. It can be physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse and not look the same in every relationship because every relationship is different. This kind of abuse affects people of all ages and sexes, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, education and employment levels. Abuse towards children and the elderly can be violent or aggressive behavior. Thus, there are many types of abuse that one can suffer; awareness of the signs of domestic violence is especially important before getting into any kind of intimate relationship.

“Domestic violence is a type of abuse by one or both partners in marriage, friends, family, dating or cohabitation” (Aziz & Mahmoud, 2010). There are many forms of abuse from verbal and emotional to physical that often escalates over time in intensity for the victim. Data from the criminal justice system, hospital patient medical records and mental health records, police reports, surveys and social services reports of thousands of women revealed that many are injured and killed as a result of violence from someone close to them. “The US Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender” (Robertson & Murachver, 2009). Researchers and the criminal justice system have not been able to agree on a clear definition to domestic violence which can range from physical injury, stalking, verbal abuse and humiliation, denial of shelter and access to money, and intimidation through aggressive behaviors. The definition of domestic violence may vary but the results from physical injury, mental and emotional trauma, and sometimes even death can last a life time.

Domestic violence is an epidemic in our society with dramatic, negative effects on individuals, families and communities. Domestic violence is a crime that knows no economic, racial, ethnic, religious, age or gender limits. Women who are victims of domestic violence most likely are also victims of sexual assault and, stalking. A domestic violence victim may experience systematic rape in addition to physical and psychological abuse. According to Backman, (p.54) nearly one in every four women are beaten or raped by a partner during adulthood. Three women are killed by a current or former intimate partner each day in America, on average women are at an increased risk of harm shortly after separation from an abusive partner.

Currently in the United States, every one-in-three women and one-in-four men are abused physically by their chosen partner in their lifetime. It is estimated that twenty people per minute are physically affected by their partner; therefore, there are around ten million people every year battered by their partners (“Statistics” National Coalition Against Domestic Violence). The United States Department of Justice defines domestic violence as:

Intimate partner violence is a dangerous and frightening issue threatening women worldwide. Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, describes a cycle of abuse that involves either actual or threatened physical, sexual, psychological or emotional violence performed on someone by a spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, or significant other (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Although it is not often discussed, intimate partner abuse is an incredibly common public health problem. In fact, it is one of the most common forms of violence facing women of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, in which more than four million women in the United States experience abuse from a partner each year (Office on Women’s

Domestic Violence (DV) is a critical social issue that negatively impacts not only our own culture in America but as well as all other cultures around the world. Domestic Violence is a global issue reaching across national boundaries as well as socio-economic, cultural, racial and class distinctions (Kaur & Garg 2008). Domestic Violence is a serious problem that can be seen around every society from families of both developed and underdeveloped countries and of different backgrounds. Although there are various cases of domestic violence against men, children and the elderly; women account for the majority percentage of victims of Domestic Violence. This violence can take the form of physical assault, psychological abuse, financial abuse or sexual assault (Kaur & Garg 2008). Domestic Violence is a trend that is on the rise and will continue to plague our society if nothing is done on time to address this social issue.

According to statistics found by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Every nine seconds a woman is abused by her husband or intimate partner. At least 1 in every 4 women and 1 in every 9 men have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in their lifetime. Most often the abuser is one of their own family. Domestic violence is a problem that somehow affects every one of us in this room at some time and is actually the leading cause of injury to women -- more than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined.

Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to exhibit control over another person through fear and intimidation by threat, force, or use of violence in intimate relationships. This issue has been an overlooked problem in American society for ages however as it becomes mainstream time and time again and the statics go up, Americans are beginning to see this as a pressing epidemic. With more than 4 million women and 3 million men becoming victims to physical assault in intimate relationships every year, domestic violence has become a societal issue in which it affects people from all walks of life regardless of a person’s gender, race, status, ethnicity, age or religion. Since most cases almost always go unreported and the severity of this problem is often disregarded, domestic violence is ultimately a problem that accrues cost to victims and their families, employers and their business, and society as a whole.

Domestic Violence is a coercive behavior that involves a physical, psychological or sexual attack perpetrated by individuals against their partner or former partner. Examples include physical abuse, for instance, slapping, beating, and strangulation among others. Sexual assault includes threats, forceful sexual acts, and use of physical force. Psychological abuse may involve excessive jealousy, intimidation, harassment or stalking among others. In the United States, 20 people are physically abused every minute, 20,800 cases are reported daily in hotlines and majority of the victims are females aged between 18-24 years (National Coalition against Domestic Violence, 2015). Issues pertaining to violence at home are regarded as a societal

In February 2014, Ray Rice, a professional football player for the Baltimore Ravens, got into a physical altercation with his fiancé in a casino elevator in Atlantic City, NJ. Rice was indicted and charged with aggravated assault and the NFL suspended him for two games. Many thought the NFL’s punishment should have been harsher, but the story quickly faded away. Later, in September of 2014, a full video of the altercation in the elevator surfaced and was released to the media. The video shows Rice and his fiancé arguing and hitting at each other; the video ends with Rice knocking his fiancé unconscious and literally dragging her out of the elevator. He stood there calmly, as if this was a normal occurrence, while casino security and others were trying to help her. Rice, being a public figure, brought the issue of domestic violence to the forefront of all media outlets. For several weeks this was the topic of all new stations, magazines, and internet sites. The public was appalled at Rice’s actions and many were angry at his fiancé for sticking by him. Many questions arose about Rice’s case and domestic violence in general. For example, “Doesn’t he know any better”? “Why did she go on to marry Rice a month after the altercation instead of leaving him”? Should he be allowed to play professional football any longer”? All of these questions and public concerns led me to investigate domestic violence further and the epidemic of it in this country. The main question I

Domestic violence refers to abusive behavior in any relationship that is inflicted on a partner to gain or maintain power and control over another partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological. Domestic violence includes behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of their race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender; and it also occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships; domestic violence also affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels (Justice, The United States Department of, 2017). This topic has attracted a lot of discussion and research because of its dominance and complexity. This essay, therefore seeks to look at the causes and effects of domestic violence.

Around the world, one in every three women has been coerced into having intercourse, beaten, or abused during some point in her lifetime (Domestic Violence Statistics, 2015). The topic that will be studied with the paper is intimate partner violence or another term that can be used is domestic violence. Domestic violence or intimate partner violence is the systematic pattern or control or power perpetuated by one partner against another (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, n.d.). Throughout the paper the term domestic violence and intimate violence will be used interchangeably. The misconception is that domestic violence or intimate partner violence is only between two people in a romantic relationship, but this is not so. Domestic violence includes, but is not limited to child abuse, elder and vulnerable adult abuse, spousal or partner abuse, and sibling violence (Can Fam Physician, 1999). This behavior can include but is not limited to sexual assault, intimidation, and physical assault (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, n.d.). Reports from 10 countries have shown that somewhere between 55 and 95 percent of women who experience physical abuse by a partner had never contacted the police, shelters, or other organizations for help (Domestic Violence Statistics, 2015).

Domestic violence is defined as an act of violence within the household. The aforementioned is one of the most underestimated and underreported crimes in the United States today. Abuse within the home represents the single most, greatest cause of harm to women, and affects over thirty percent of American women each year. Domestic Violence may start when one partner feels the need to control and dominate the other, Abusers may feel this need to control their partner because of low self-esteem, extreme jealousy, difficulties in regulating anger and other strong emotions, or when they feel inferior to the partner in education and socioeconomic background. Some men and women with traditional beliefs may think they have the right to control women, and that women aren’t equal to them. This domination then takes the form of emotional, physical or sexual abuse (Swisher, Karin L. and Carol Wekesser 19-20).