Domestic Violence Throughout History

Why were women a beneficial part of a community and deserved to be heard and considered by the federal government.

Intimate partner violence is prevalent around the world. Domestic violence is accepted in many cultures and is considered a private matter meant to be kept in the home. The majority of the perpetrators are men and the victims are women. Victims are usually blamed for the violence which influence the likelihood of women reporting abuse.

Domestic Violence occurs more often than humans think.“More than 1 in 3 women have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime”. In the past it was aloud in many counties. Now, it is handled by the law; the abuser will be punished. People never think they could be a victim. Most people look passed the signs. It is about so much more than getting angry at someone. Our partners are more common to hurt them and they are to scared to fight for themselves most of the time. Sadly, it can be about race, religion, age, sexualalty, and some much more. The abuser may want a challenge or want someone easier to hurt. When victims are abused, they are damaged by domestic violence, and they need to seek help. There is safety plans and people that will help the victims. Domestic violence is a massive problem, and it has vast effects.

In the past, domestic violence was not seen as an issue. Before the 1970’s Western Society was extremely male dominant. Males were the breadwinners and women had no say in the relationship. This instilled a power problem over the males making then think they were superior to women since they made the money and provided for the family. If men were to hit women it was seen to be okay since they were “allowed” to. Society viewed domestic violence as some sort of joke rather then a real problem. The women’s right movement in the 1970’s changed the approach that westerners had on domestic violence issues and made people start taking the issue seriously. In the 1990’s law enforcement started giving domestic violence the attention it need (Zahm,

On 3/5/2016, CM met with the client after the case was reassigned to this CM and developed with the client first initial ILP Review. In the meeting client appears to be cooperative, and friendly. Client reported she is a victim of domestic violence with her daughter’s father. She reported she has unresolved issues. Client reported one is domestic violence and the other one is securing permanent housing so that her only child can spend time with her. During the meeting session client was emotionally teary she reported being residing in the shelter is not easy and being away from her daughter is taking a toll on her.

When speaking about domestic violence the picture that comes to mind is that of a man physically abusing a woman. Domestic violence manifests itself in other forms other than physical abuse. Domestic abuse can also take other forms like emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. Recent statistics show that domestic abuse against men is also on the rise (Cook, 2009). This can be argued in two ways: that it always existed but only till recently men have been able to come out and report cases of abuse by their spouses without feeling victimized and that previously men were seen as the superior gender and the women’s role was to be submissive but with the

Domestic violence is a social problem that is widespread. It is a potentially fatal problem from which no person is immune. Domestic abuse has historically been a private violation that has been kept within the walls of the family home. This violence has also historically been denied. Domestic violence acts are events still perceived as anything but a crime; it is only no beginning to be criminalized.

Domestic violence dates back to the beginning of time, but has only really made an impact within the last one hundred years. Domestic violence can be defined as “any use of physical or sexual force, actual or threatened, in an intimate relationship” and can include a single act, or a reoccurring act amongst the victim and offender (Edmonton Police Service). Although men are affected by domestic violence, most people “assume the male batterer/female victim paradigm” (Hanna). This is understood through rates of victims of domestic violence.

This documentary looks into the lives of three women who have experienced domestic violence. Each woman’s story is different but they all share an experience that will never fade away from their memory. Sabrina is shown first, badly beaten and bruised. Her boyfriend is taken into custody and she is left with the decision of pressing charges. This isn't the first time her boyfriend has abused but her injuries are so bad that something has to be done. With the help of a counselor Sabrina gets the courage to press charges but thats just the first step. Over the course of six months Sabrina has to consider all of her options for refuge and her safety. After about six months the court hearing takes place. She wasn’t expecting to have such strong feelings when she saw he abuser.

Women and even men have been victims of domestic abuse. The first laws regarding domestic violence goes back to 753 BC in Rome by the emperor, Romulus. Now this law wasn’t any common law, it actually allowed men to beat their wives instead of preventing it. This was called the “Rule of Thumb” which meant that men could beat their wives with a rod or stick of any length, but could be no wider than their thumb. This ‘rule’ didn’t govern for too long, by the end of the Punic Wars women were given plenty of rights including: owning land and suing abusive husband. However things took a turn for the worst, in 300 AD when under the rule of emperor Constantine, the church reinstated a patriarchal society where men could be beat their wives without consequence. As an example of this renewed society Constantine burned his wife because she was of no use to him. In the 1500’s rape was legal within the marriage. An English jurist by the name of Lord Hale, stated that rape within marriage was permitted; he stated that women

The history of domestic violence dates back to the beginning of man. Since the beginning of time the dominant people in society took advantage of the less skilled

Domestic violence or crime committed by family members increased slightly from 1.1 million in 2010 to 1.4 million in 2011 ( National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2011, p.2). Violence against women is common and results from association of gender with power and social control. According to Andersen, feminist scholars state that violence is a weapon men use to control women. Domestic violence emerges when one person demonstrates power over the other through violent means (Andersen, 2011, p. 189). Violence is one way men maintain their power over the women. Andersen claims, domestic violence emerged directly from the patriarchal structure where men were allowed to beat their wives to express male authority. Throughout the seventeenth and nineteenth century, based on the law, men were allowed to beat their wives as long as the method remained within certain tactics (Andersen, 2011, p.187). Anderson points out that there were cases where men were also victims of family violence; however, their injuries are not as sever when compared to injuries females face in violent relationships (Andersen, 2011, p.189).

Domestic violence first started in 753 BC were the “Rule of Thumb” was passed. this law let men hit their wife with anything as big as their thunb. At the end of the Punic Wars the women were given more rights. The same way that they gave women more right they took them away. like in 300 AD men were allowed to burn their wife if they were no use to them or didn’t obey them. We did not see a big improvement till 1914 when the first family court is established in Buffalo. Another improvement was “ main opens the first shelter in the U.S in 1967” (History of Battered Women). In 200 CE in india they believed in sati. Sati believed in that a women should throw herself when her husband was being cremated and if she did not she was to be pushed. Women in history were seen as property and not as humans.

First off, we have to remember that men are not the only people who are the criminals in this particular topic. For the most part men take a huge role in domestic violence, but we can not forget about women as well. It is not very common but women abuse husbands. Lesbians abuse female partners. Mothers can abuse children. This is why it is important to inform the general public that if the woman is the enforcer, it is the same as if a man were, even if the situation doesn’t fit the common idea of domestic violence.

Summary: This article discusses the relationship between gender and domestic violence. For many reasons, people commonly believe that domestic violence is more likely equal to wife abuse or woman abuse. But this prejudice is erroneous. On the one hand, because of the definition of domestic violence including dating or cohabitation and modern research finds that husbands as well as wives may be victims, domestic violence is not more likely equal to wife abuse. On the other hand, domestic violence is not more likely equal to woman abuse either. This article lists three reasons: Finding equal or greater frequency of man abuse; The difficulty in determining the “battered men”;The great