I have chosen domestic abuse and sexual assault as my topic for this paper assignment. I have chosen this as my topic because I am a criminology major and these topics are always an interest to me because of the cases that I 've studied previously of how it affects the family dynamics and the court procedure. Not only that, but I am going to be entering in a career in law enforcement. As a police officer I will be dealing with this issue a lot and what most people don’t realize is that these events is a serious sociological importance in family lives. That these issues aren’t little problems that rarely happens to people. In reality these type of violence is a common thing that happens to people at anytime and anywhere and most likely we …show more content…
As with straight couple domestic abuse, domestic abuse in the gay community cuts across all. If gay or lesbian people are a victim, then they are less likely to be helped. It could be because authority don’t care due to their sexual preferences because of their bias. Or that it is a recent thing to be dealing with and the authorities don’t know what to do because there is simply no “laws” about gay domestic abuse situation. This is very absurd because there is no significant difference domestic abuse between straight and gay couples. For they are both human beings and the laws of domestic abuse offense applies to gay couples as well. What else plays a role into this is that it effects the family and by that it affects the kids drastically. Children of victims often witness the abuse. This exposure to domestic violence is harmful and can cause an age-dependent negative effects to the children’s psychological health. Such negative effects could become fearful and anxious (Katz, 2016). The children are always on guard, watching and waiting for the next violent event to occur. The children that experience the even would never know what will trigger the abuse. For this they would never feel safe. They will always be worried for themselves, their mother or father, and their siblings. They also may feel worthless and/or powerless because they couldn’t do anything to prevent the violent event from happening. Children who grow
We had a guest speaker from Mutual Ground that explained what programs and services Mutual Ground offers people who face Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Teaching us about the various forms of abuse people in a relationship face. Based on the various forms someone seeks power and control in a relationship. Such as using coercion and threats, intimidation, emotional abuse, economic abuse, male privilege, children, isolation and minimizing, denying and blaming their partner to suppress their partner and have power and control. Our guest speaker talked about some of the plans they have to help the LGBTQ community to provide the same services to help victims of sexual violence and domestic violence get the necessary help needed to protect everybody
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
This report examines ‘Another Closest’, a promotion organisation that utilises social justice practices to impact social, cultural and political changes in connection to domestic violence between same sex couples. “The reality is that domestic violence occurs at approximately the same rate in gay and lesbian relationships as it does in heterosexual unions.” (Elliot, P., 1996) The data in this report has been accumulated with primary and secondary sources that through qualitative analysis of documentation,
And the answer to this would be; anyone can become a victim of domestic violence. Although most would assume that only women could be affected by this heinous crime, this is not the case. Granted, in a 2001 U.S. study, “85 percent of the victims were female with a male batterer” (U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics), but the other 15% did not fit into this category. This 15% represents the males with female batterers, as well as those victims in lesbian and gay relationships. It is not as common, but uncommon is not synonymous with nonexistent. Again, it can happen to anyone.
Since this seems to be such a significant problem then it seems strange that we don't hear more about it on the news or in our own communities. There is a great deal of speculation as to why these cases go unreported. According to an article in the July 14, 1995 edition of the online Jewish Bulletin of Northern California the gay community resists confronting abuse among its own members. They already face so many problems such as HIV and discrimination that publicizing the abuse would be like "airing dirty laundry". (Lank)
There are studies showing that 3-4 million children who are between the ages of 3 and 17 are at the risk of domestic violence every year. The children of the women who get abused, usually witness it. (2) This causes the children to have psychological problems, and trust issues. Children that grow up in a violent household, learn very easily that no one can be trusted. It ruins their thought of love and also ruins their courage. (8) No child should have to witness their mother or father get abused. These children show the same behavioral patterns as those who are neglected. They often look for attention, affection, and approval, since they aren't getting much in their home lives. (8) Children deserve to be loved and cared for. They shouldn't have to worry about the things they do, and they shouldn't have to worry about what might happen to them next. There are statistics that show that most of the children who witness domestic violence, will become a victim too. If they do not become a victim, they will have severe psychological trauma. (8) The children are likely to be abused, but they are just as likely to abuse. It's common for children who watch abuse to repeat that abuse to others, such as significant others, and possibly their children.
Believe it or not exposure to violence affects children in many ways. Children are like sponges they absorb everything they see. Children who are exposed to violence in their homes become fearful, anxious, and never feel safe. They are always worried for themselves, their mother, and their siblings. They may even feel worthless and powerless. Many children will keep the abuse a secret and not tell anyone but as time progresses they will think that it’s their fault and that that’s why the violence is occurring. Children exposed to abuse can look normal to the
When faced with domestic violence these children sometimes carry on violence when they become adults or blame themselves. This article explores theories and situations that show the long term and short term effects of domestic violence. They identified 41 studies that provided relevant and adequate data for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Forty of these studies indicated that children 's exposure to domestic violence was related to emotional and behavioral problems, translating to a small overall effect (Wolfe, Crooks, Lee, McIntyre-Smith, & Jaffe, 2003).
Also, in LGBTQ relationships which involve children, the abuser may use the children to hurt their partner and that is not in the best interest of the children involved. There needs to be an end to all abuse against all individuals who experience any form of intimate partner violence. There is a necessity for available resources to service the LGBTQ community to prevent intimate partner violence. Therefore, the demands for shelters are crucial to aid the victim to escape to safely. Also, social workers within LGBTQ communities should address this particular problem with anyone who needs assistance to leave an abuser with confidentiality and confidence that they will be safe. People may be judgmental to blame the victim; however, the victim’s life is valuable. In fact, in heterosexual relationships, some people seem to blame the victim along with revictimizing the victim, and this is one problem that reaches out and across domestic violence and intimate violence cases. Perpetrators victim blaming and deflecting blame towards the people who have been hurt by the abuser needs to be reevaluated through the creation of new policies regardless of an individual being LGBTQ or heterosexual,
The author's choice of theoretical framework broadened the scope by adding homosexuality and sex to the minority category as oppose to the traditional female victims. In this research, minority will include: race, sex, gender, etc. This makes the research the first of its kind in minority sexual victimization. The framework also uses many secondary research sources to compare to the study. In the secondary sources used, the research studies explain the female heterosexual sexual encounters, physical domestic violence and unwanted pursuits. This study was used to compare the increase number within a heterosexual group but also, the susceptibility of sexual minorities and their encounters with unwanted pursuit, domestic physical violence and sexual violence. The main variables of interest in this study is sexual victimization amongst minorities on college campuses; minorities is conceptually defined to also include: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and
Studies have shown that an increasing trend of domestic violence is being perpetrated in heterosexual households. Many of these cases involve the male abusing the female, and the female actively attempting to maintain an outward appearance of normalcy despite the silent suffering. This outward image is nothing but a cover to maintain an illusion to the world that everything is good in the relationship, and also in many cases for fear of further abuse for drawing attention to the issue. As a result a closed loop of suffering, pain, and violence is created.
Domestic violence does not only effect the women being harmed it effects the children and the family also. It takes a toll on Families or individuals who have experienced domestic violence, Victims are in the process of healing both physically and emotionally from multiple traumas. These traumas can have various effects on the mind, body and spirit to anyone associated with the abuse. Children are still developing and learning, domestic abuse is very impactful and influences them in the wrong way. The emotional responses of children who witness domestic violence may include fear, guilt, shame, sleep disturbances, sadness, depression, and anger.
When you think about victims of domestic violence who is it that comes in mind to you? If we answer honestly it is most likely “women”. As stated before anyone can be a victim when it comes down to domestic violence. If this is true why is gender equality not taken into consideration when an incident occurs? Gender equality is the state in which rights or opportunities are not affected by gender. If gender is not a problem why do so many laws protect women, but not men? Men have the same rights as women. Therefore, when men are victims, their cases should be treated as if it was a women’s. Let us picture it this way. When looking at a women and men body what do we see? What similarities do we both share? I would say head, nose, mouth, fingers,
We have all heard the term “domestic violence”, but what we aren’t doing is using our eyes to see it. Domestic violence can be happening in any home, whether rich or poor, black or white (or any other race, for that matter), straight or gay. While some clues may be given away by bruises or broken bones, we often do not notice that emotional violence is a form of domestic violence as well. We tend to not see it because emotional abuse has become such a norm these days; putting people down and talking to people in negate ways are seen throughout each day, whether it be from our significant others, friends, bosses, even our president. However, that does not make it okay. Sexual violence is a form of domestic violence, and it should not go unnoticed either. Forcing oneself on his or her significant other without consent can lead to rape, and that can occur in romantic relationships. However, we often do not see these cases because sex is a normal casualty in relationships and can be hard to prove. Other forms of domestic violence include, but are not limited to, economical abuse and psychological abuse.
In “Gender-based violence: the lesbian and gay experience” Evashnee Naidu and Nonhlanhla analyze gender-based violence in same-sex relationships. Naidu ad Nonhlanhla examine this type of abuse that occur in same-sex relationships and the nature of them. Physical abuse in LGBT usually includes hitting, choking, slapping, burning, use of a weapon, etc. Kemp explains that “the CDC