Professional Response: Culture & Society Essays

“Abuse is still seriously under reported. I was told by leading British social worker that when they hold training courses for employees, they find that a third of the females and slightly less of the males come forward to talk about their childhood experiences of being abused. Over ninety percent of parents as some time hit their children – and some people hit them several times a week – so there is a great deal of emotional hurt, fear and physical pain in the world today” (Davis 251). For this reason alone it makes perfect sense why violent crime rates are so frighteningly high.

“Being a victim is supposed to set you free; it acquits you of any agency, any sense of responsibility to the person who did you harm. It’s not your fault, they say. Leave him, they say. Nobody ever tells you what to do if leaving isn’t an option.” Imagine how a woman, especially in the 1920’s, felt to be in this position.

How does domestic violence between parents and parental figures affect the children who witness it? This is a question often asked by Sociologists and Psychologists alike. There have been studies that prove that children who witness domestic inter-parental violence experience mental health problems, issues with gender roles, substance abuse, the committing of crimes and suicide/suicide attempts later in their lives. This paper will explore all five of these 'effects' of domestic violence on children and show that there is evidence of a clear relationship in which increasing parental violence is associated with increasing outcome risks (Fergusson & Horwood, 1998, p.8).

Astounding statistics reported by the Children’s Defense Fund, “An estimated 3 to 4 million women in the United States are battered each year by their partners, In homes where domestic violence occurs, children are seriously abused or neglected at a rate 1500% higher than the national average in the general population, Between 2.3 and 10 million children are witnesses to family violence, Based on an estimate of 2 children per household, in 55% of violent homes, at least 3.3 million children in the U.S. are at risk of witnessing domestic violence each year,” (Retrieved, 10/12/2011, http://cdf.childrensdefense.org).

There are a number of strategies that are able to be considered to support not only children and young people but the parents and families where abuse is suspected or confirmed. These strategies refer to a plan of action in order to achieve a particular goal, an example of this could be that they are able to minimise the actual or potential impact of abuse or poverty that may occur within families. The aim of strategies for children and young people are in place to protect these individuals from being abused or exploited in some way and by using strategies these are able to reduce the risk of abuse, and help children and young people realise they have a ‘right to be safe, secure and free from harm’. (Snaith.M, 2010) Moreover, It can be

Neglect and abuse towards children still occurs in society today as it did in pre-industrial times. Adult control over children can take the extreme form of physical neglect, or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Some may say due to figures from charities such as Child Line rising there is a ‘dark side’ to family life, where children are victims. This shows in some cases the status of children hasn’t changed over time.

In the face of abuse and assaults, knowing that she is a single mother with six children often confronts two kinds of difficult decisions. First, how will she protect herself and her children from the physical dangers posed by her partner? Second, how will she provide for her children? This second set of social and economic risks are central in each battered woman’s calculation of her children’s safety. If, for example, a woman decides to leave her partner to protect herself and her children, where will she find housing and money to feed her family? Who will

The effects of intimate partner violence are attenuating and extend far beyond physical scarring. The abuse of woman and children has been researched extensively by Rachel Pain (2014, p. 536) as acts of “terrorism within the home”. If we are to compare the experience of women and children living in violent homes and the act of ‘terrorism’ itself we get a corresponding experience (Pain, 2014, p. 546). The construction of fear, the loss of identity, the ongoing distress of constantly feeling unsafe, isolated from all support networks are the surreal and ongoing daily struggles for domestic violence victims. Living in such horrific conditions has immense physical and psychological effects on those directly exposed or indirectly exposed to such violence. Through this research the links between domestic violence and ill health has been well-established. In an attempt to combat this prevalence element two of It Stops Here (NSW): a “streamlined referral pathways to support victims’ safety and support their recovery” was introduced (NSW Government, 2014, p. 18). Through this second element, there has been a strong focus on being able to better identify risk and supporting victims. From the inquest inquiry into Luke’s death, Coroner Ian Grey stated that "I find that there is no validated risk-assessment tool that can accurately predict whether a parent is likely to commit filicide." (ABC News, 2015). In an attempt to close the gap on such issues in July 2015 It Stops Here (NSW)

A keen observer, I have witnessed a most-distressing and inhumane trend inundate our wholesome society. Our prosperity and civility is made possible, of course, by happy, healthy families who provide the fundamentals for a populous future. However, by some deplorable means, the family is oft broken with the abuse of a spouse, predominantly the baby carrier. History proves this misogynistic treatment is not novel, if one asks Elizabeth Short or JonBenét Ramsey, but is this reflective of the American way? I believe not, and thus wish to amend our humanity. Fortunately, I look to Jonathan Swift, who’s “A Modest Proposal” gives insight into nation-fixing; inspired by this, I offer a solution to domestic violence by emphasizing warm embraces and

Children are recognized as the future of modern society as the population continues to grow old. Therefore, each and every child has the right to be nurtured in a safe environment (Geffner, 2000). A home riddled with domestic violence is the complete opposite of what Geffner described in her book, Children exposed to domestic violence. According to the 2003 Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS), almost 250 000 homes across Canada failed to provide an ideal living environment for their children (citation). Most of the damage comes at the hands of a parent or other relative, and the damage can last a lifetime. An abused child is 35% more likely to end up in violent or abusive relationships as an adult (citation). As stated by the statistic above, the likelihood

Many feel if they seek help, the abuser will find them and it will only get worse. The victims need to feel safe, or else they are not going to use the programs to receive help. As both of these articles reveal, these programs are not working. On the contrary, “The Seriousness of Domestic Violence Is Exaggerated” argues that it’s not because the programs are ineffective, but that it’s due to the increase in social services available. However, due to the countless studies that were done, it has been proven that this domestic abuse is a problem. Moreover, there needs to be more effort taken into putting these programs into action. Improvements in how the programs are put into practice need to be made, since how the programs are put into practice now are not efficient

The impacts of abuse are devastating. As a result of abuse, half a million youth run away from home every year. 63% of young men between the age of 15 and 20 have been incarcerated for homicide for killing their mother's abuser (Berry 9). The majority of boys present in domestic violence cases, try to protect their mothers. 62% of boys who try to protect their mothers are injured in the process. A vast number of teenagers who run away, move in with their boyfriend or girlfriend, and become pregnant at a young age. These teens are unable to care for themselves, let alone a child. In result, they end up selling their bodies for survival (Straussner 2002).

4.) “…greater social, political, economic, and cultural power of men has structured this “private” sphere to the disadvantage of women and children, rendering them vulnerable to domestic violence without outside interference, often leaving women economically dependent on men…” (Camp, 2011:49,50)

At the societal level, the established laws and policies in relations to domestic violence may in fact fail to protect the victim and consequently re-victimize her. For example, domestic violence victims are increasingly being charged for “failure to protect” even when the partner is abusing the child and the mother (Beeman, Hagemeister, & Edelson, 1999). In addition, some states have considered legislation that makes a child’s witnessing of domestic violence a form of criminal abuse

This essay explores the story of Malaika Cohen and her account of experiencing and overcoming domestic abuse. In her book “Shackles” Malaika describes various forms of domestic abuse from life as a young child with a controlling Mother and a physically abusive Father which continued into her adult romantic relationships. It will highlight the changes to legislation since Malaika was a victim and how the meaning of domestic abuse has changed over the years. It will also take a look at behaviour patterns of children who grow up in a household with an alcoholic and how this can impact future relationships. Domestic abuse is often diagnosed under the banner of “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”, this essay will look how this can have a negative