HHS4U
Sissi Zheng
Culminating Essay
The Cycle of Domestic Violence Domestic violence refers to any type of violence or abuse that takes place within an intimate relationship and in a private setting or home environment. Before 1970s, domestic violence was a subject that cannot openly discussed, nonetheless, It is no longer an issue of public interest to be ignored in today’s society. Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects not only the victims, but their families and the surrounding community. It is not an secluded, individual event but rather an epidemic that follows a systematic pattern of dominance and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. An abusive relationship aggravates over time and repeat itself through the intergenerational cycle of violence.
Serving to demonstrate the methodology, process, and systematic manifestation of abusive relationships, psychologist Lenore Walker proposed the cycle of violence outlining three stages from the tension building phase, the abusive incident, to the honeymoon phase. The theory provides an understanding of why the person affected by domestic violence continues to face a violent situation over time. Minor incidents of physical or emotional abuse might happen in the tension building phase. Tensions often build over common domestic issues like money, children or jobs. Victims feel the growing tension between their intimate partners and themselves and try to avoid the abuse, in fact, very few of
First phase of the cycle of violence is tension building. According to Women’s resource center, tension building is the phase in which the abuser may be extremely critical, bullying, moody and demanding (2013). In this stage, the victims attempt to pacify the offender to stop the abuse and avoid the next abusive incident phase. However, the tension increase and these attempts become less and less effective. As a result, it include direct or implied threats of violence because the abuser’s negative behavior escalates. Second, abusive incident phase is the stage in which the offender’s tension and anger escalates bringing out the most abusive violence toward the victim because the victim have no control left to calm the abuser (Walker, 1979). In addition, this is the stage in which the abuse occurs. The abuse to the victim can be physically, sexually and/or emotionally. Third, honeymoon phase is when the aggressor is always say sorry for what he did. However, in this phase they always say they are going to change. They will not hurt you again and that they will make it up to the victim, but then the cycle starts over and over again. Also, the abuser is ashamed of his behavior, and he expresses remorse tries to minimize the abuse and might even blame it on the
In the model for cycle of domestic violence developed by Lenore Walker (1979), there are three phases in the cycle of abuse: tension building phase, acute battering phase, and the “honeymoon” phase. The tension building phase typically involves verbal abuse and conflict over matters such as finance and family (Walker, 1979). This first phase eventually leads to the battering phase, where physical abuse begins. Part of the reason why individuals who experience domestic violence do not
Domestic violence is a devastating social problem. “Domestic violence is about one person getting and keeping power and control over another person in an intimate relationship. It is a pattern of behavior in which one intimate partner uses physical violence, coercion, threats, intimidation, isolation and emotional, sexual or economic abuse to control and change the behavior of the other partner (Despres,2009). Domestic violence is not just hitting or fighting or an occasional mean argument. It is a chronic abuse of power and a need for control. In every state there are laws that prohibit domestic violence but they vary from state to state. Domestic abuse is widespread and
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
In 1979, psychologist Lenore Walker discovered that the majority of abusive relationships follow a similar pattern that cycles itself. This cycle could happen over any period of time but will almost always repeat itself a multitude of times. Lenore Walker’s cycle is not the exact same for all abusive relationships, some are much worse, but many share the same three stages which are tension building, incident, and honeymoon/calm. All three stages are fueled by constant denial from the victim. The cycle of domestic violence is a traumatic psychological sequence that millions of people of many different cultures and nationalities are tragically stuck in.
As expert competitors remind us on a week after week basis, domestic violence is a social issue which keeps on plaguing the country. Through stricter law implementation, enhanced healing facility reporting methods, and across the country training and directing, this issue can be lessened. Domestic violence has a wide range of names, for example, family brutality, battering, and wife beating. Every one of these terms allude to the same thing, misuse by conjugal, basic law, or a dating accomplice in a cozy relationship. It is not constrained to physical beating. It is any conduct that is expected to overwhelm and control another individual using mortification, dread, and physical or verbal strike. Domestic violence is a critical issue in today's
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.
Females are the most highly affected by domestic abuse according to studies done around the world. Typically aggressive behavior at home is frequently more than simply physical misuse. It involves sexual, enthusiastic, monetary and mental savagery. At first, recognizing the indications of an injurious relationship can be troublesome, particularly if the abuser utilizes inconspicuous strategies to pick up force and control. It is normal for survivors to perceive the start of the misuse as the first run through when the abusers hit them, yet truly the cycle of violence may have begun at an opportune time in the relationship. Culprits have a tendency to fascinate and be exceptionally persuading when applying power and control strategies. People
Knowledge of domestic violence is becoming prevalent in the United States and around the world. Family violence, teen dating violence and intimate partner violence are being talked about openly more; they are also becoming known as abuse and not something that is just “ok” or “just how a person is”. Beliefs and laws are changing toward nonviolence as discussed in this report.
Domestic violence affects a large amount of relationships in the United States each year. As the times have changed, abuse has become less accepted as a normal occurrence, and society has begun working together to provide awareness towards violence in intimate partner relationships. “Problems of family violence are potentially the most destructive in our society” (Kurland 23). Domestic violence is a problem that begins in the home, and spreads to affect the world around it. Violence is present in relationships of all demographics, be it race, sexual orientation, or social class. No one is entirely safe from experiencing abuse, but if society is taught to recognize the signs it can save a life or even prevent abuse from happening.
Domestic violence has been an ongoing problem for many years women are often abused physically mentally and emotionally. When domestic violence occurs there are past reasons that the domestic partner is mentally capable of distributing this type of violence. Women have fallen victim to domestic abuse forever, domestic abuse is an undeserved issue that someone with sociological issues develops a violent rage and then acts and reacts in a violent manner. Over time domestic violence has increased and this increase can be attributed to the contribution of how people are treated as children, the examples that their parents set for them, as well as people and issues in their present situations that may also contribute to violent attributes.
“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 (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.
In today’s society, it is very common to find domestic abuse in households, but not much is being done to stop it. After researching the various causes of domestic violence, one can conclude that there are many reasons that may have triggered the abuser’s sudden need to have the upper hand. Unemployment, drug or alcohol abuse, extreme jealously, or feeling inferior to their partner’s education level or occupational status are just a few factors which may lead to one’s violent outrage. Also, in most cases an intergenerational cycle of domestic violence can be the main cause of the abuser’s