How Domestic Violence Affects Children As Well As The Mental Health Of Its Victims

Lorenzo 'Shakes' Carcaterra was a boy from Hell’s Kitchen, New York, in the 1960’s. Shakes is of Italian decent and lives with his father and mother in a small apartment. Lorenzo’s father worked long hours for little pay and was quick to anger and used violence to control the household. Shakes witnessed the physical and emotional abuse of his mother. He never confronted his father, but always tried to play the peacekeeper between the two. Shakes mother was not fluent in English and had a hard time connecting to the community and her son. The trauma that Shakes went through because of the domestic violence shaped his psychological and social development. Shakes was a resilient kid and sought social support from three boys: Thomas "Tommy" Marcano, Michael Sullivan, John Reilly and various other men in his community.

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 wears many different masks and is even accepted in some societies. Many different cultures around the world have been and continue to be affected by the results of domestic violence. The term, “domestic violence,” was first

“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 a problem which spans across socioeconomic class, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, age, and gender. This paper focuses on intimate partner violence, but that is not to downplay the seriousness, importance, and validity of other types of domestic violence.

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.

Domestic violence is not immune to any community, and it affect all types of people regardless of age, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, religion, and age. Abusers implement system of dominance and control that consist of physical violence, control, and emotional abuse. The abuser behavior usually leads to psychological trauma, physical injury, and death, while the effects can last up to a lifetime, the possibility of crossing to other generations should make the domestic violence a top priority in helping victims find an out.

Domestic violence is a huge problem that has affected and continues to affect women today. According to the research conducted domestic violence can occur in many different forms. For instance, it can happen as psychological, physical, sexual and emotional and also could combine other forms of violence and controlling behaviors such as; sexual abuse, rape, harassment from partners, physical assault, humiliation and dictating behaviors such as economic manipulation, lack of financial support, deprivation and constant criticism.

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, intimate partner violence, family violence, relationship terrorism; these are all terms that have synonymous meanings. That meaning being, “physical, mental, emotional, verbal, or economic power used by one partner against the other partner in a romantic relationship” (Jackman, 2003). “National surveys report that nearly 25% of women and 30% of men regard violence as normal and sometimes even a positive part of marriage” (Johnson, 2006). By looking at statistics such as this one, it is suggested that there happens to be a large acceptance of marital violence in our culture. However, we cannot view violence only in terms of marriage. It is important to understand and realize that domestic violence does not just occur among

With gratitude, I would like to draw you into a situation that has occurred throughout history. All individuals who work at a center involved with domestic violence should hear my concern about how late elementary to late high school students lack the knowledge about domestic violence.

Domestic or interpersonal violence is an ongoing issue that has been around for generations. It can be in the form of verbal insults, physical abuse, and or rape. Although this paper discusses the abuse on women and children, men are equally subject to this abuse. There is not one group of people that is solely subject to domestic abuse, it can happen to anyone. The causes of domestic abuse can be that it is learned from one generation to another, stress from outside factors, and that men have been given power over women, holding to a lesser standard than themselves.

Domestic violence occurs in general when a current or former intimate partners exerts dominance and control in a relationship through physical, sexual, or emotional trauma to the victims. Domestic violence exists in all cultures, ethnicities, faiths, age, group. Domestic violence can occur in many situations, like between married couples, or unmarried couples; between couples who live in rural areas or urban areas. Sometimes these victims have experienced both physical and sexual abuse that are damaging their life’s. These abuses can have

The purpose of this article is to define domestic violence in its basic terms, including its different forms, such as, physical, emotional, and economical. Domestic violence is discussed across different cultures, variations of acceptance are also discussed.

Domestic Violence has been an ongoing problem since the beginning of time because women were always considered weak and vulnerable. Often due to the differences in size and physical strength, women are ill-equipped to protect themselves if their partners become violent. The development of such violence can be due to many issues within one's self or life experiences, such as observing violence between ones' parents, absent father, or involvement with delinquents.