I liked how your post emphasized the importance of officers needing to be trained in handling domestic violence victims. Their communication with the victim is crucial when getting key information about what has happened and further detail on victim's relationship with the abuser. A lot of times the victim may be scared or in shock to tell the truth about what has happened, so it is necessary to separate each party in order for each person to feel safe in telling their side of the
Working with victims of domestic violence can be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. One of the most crucial aspects for a paralegal working with victim of domestic violence is adequately engaging in the task of educating oneself to understand the commonalities of such victims and the ordeals that they have been through. Such clients are drastically different from other individuals who have suffered other physical and violent crimes. Understanding the background of someone who has lived through domestic violence is absolutely central to being able to provide adequate and sensitive legal care. Most victims of domestic violence are women (95%) though domestic violence can have an impact on ever age, class, race, ethnic, cultural or religious group (purplerainfoundation, 2012). "In the United States, nearly one in three adult women experience at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood (American Psychological Association, Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family 1996 Report)" (purplerainfoundation, 2012). These women are often terrified of their partner's temper, apologize when they are abused and often in the most extremely controlling and isolated environment where the abusive partner will control who the partner sees and where the partner goes outside of the home, jealous of outside relationships (purplerainfoundation, 2012). In these abusive relationships the women are hit,
Module one focused on domestic violence and understanding the basics, which include the dynamics and common tactics that characterize domestic violence, impact on both the individual and society, and solutions to domestic violence. The website was easily accessible, and the information provided about the topic of domestic violence was both useful and interesting. Several statistics were given throughout the module that helped get across the seriousness of domestic violence. For example, one in four women are victims of domestic abuse within their lifetime. That statistic alone expresses how common domestic violence is within society.
When prosecuting criminal domestic violence cases too many officers constructed their entire case only on statements made by the victim. However, “victims of domestic violence are more likely than victims of other violent crime to recant or refuse to cooperate in prosecutorial efforts” (Breitenbach, 2008, p. 1256). Officers must consider that victims of domestic violence may refuse to testify because of fear of retaliation, intimidation, financial dependence, emotional attachment, and/or because they reunited with the batterer. If the victim refused to testify during court, their statement against the abuser becomes hearsay evidence. Several recent cases have had a huge influence on how those statements and hearsay evidence may be
Throughout the years, how police officers and police departments view domestic violence has changed drastically. Before the 1960s, police were not properly trained on how to handle any domestic violence cases. The police did not even want to know about it because they felt like it was none of their business. It is something that they believed happened in the home and needed to be dealt with both partners. They needed to work out their issues and not involve the police. “In 1967, the International Association of Chiefs of Police stated in its manual that arrest should only be employed as a last resort,” was stated by White et al. (2005). Departments did not even know how to tell their officers how to handle domestic violence situations. Police barely did anything to help victims feel safe and reassured. A victim could have been brutally beaten, but if police were not present an arrest would not be mad. Back then, police would not even arrest the batter if they had a good excuse. As officers were becoming more aware of domestic violence and as it be came more of a concern, officers still felt uncomfortable dealing with the situation. Police were also, “Required that the police be present at the time a misdemeanor domestic violence incident occurred in order to make an arrest” (Çelik 2013). How could a victim call 911 when a misdemeanor domestic violence incident was occurring? How did police believe that there would be time between blows and screaming to pick up the
This paper will show common dynamics surrounding officer-involved domestic violence (OIDV) including the most associated causes for it. It will also touch on a few reasons why victims of OIDV are far less likely to come forward. The purpose of this paper is not to attempt to justify the actions of the abusive police officer, but rather to shed some light on the factors that appear to promote the conditions for OIDV. It will also lend to the reader perspective of the lifestyle an officer experiences as a result of the duty expectations. At the end of this paper, the reader will take away knowledge of specific factors that need to be considered when trying to recognize and change the conditions that build to cause OIDV.
On July 29th, 2006, Rafael Dangond and Lissette Ochoa were invited to a wedding party in an exclusive Country Club in the city of Barranquilla, Columbia. Dangond soon became outraged and aggressive after seeing Ochoa was dancing with a young male, who is one of her friends traveled from Venezuela to attend the wedding party. He fiercely attacked Ochoa once she exited the event and the violence constantly continued for over two hours. This extreme brutal act is a product of Dangond’s desires to control and dominate his wife because of his low self-esteem and extreme jealousy. As a result of Dangond’s abusive act, Ochoa suffered multiple physical traumas mainly on her head. Although Dangond’s performance seem to be a case of direct violence stemming from jealousy and frustration, it is also important to recognize the cultural and structural aspects involved in the conflict. The culture of domestic violence in Columbia, which are usually considered as being part of normal married life in the society and the vertically hierarchical relationships between husband and wife in a family must also be examined in order to fully determine the complexity of the conflict. Because of the vertical social structures, Dangond’s action is likely to continue between he and his wife. However, in order to decrease the prospect of future violence, laws regarding violence against women must be enforced and the abolition of the vertical familial patriarchal social system in
During this week, I reviewed the major barriers to leave an abusive relationship more deeply, and I was able to apply these knowledge to my Internship work. The first major concern is that the victim feel fearful of their partner's threatens, and it happens a lot for undocumented victims. Undocumented victims feel fearful to be deported. Another reason would be the influence under gender and culture. In some cultures, domestic violence is not recognized as serious as other violence, and seeking assistance would harm the family reputation. An example would be a father with two children in the shelter. Being the only male in the shelter, sometimes some other clients just against him because he is
Many of the victims, as well as abusers, experience same issues that are faced by civilians. Though society looks to law enforcement to intervene in domestic violence situations, law enforcement officers themselves may also be experiencing like situations at home. Law enforcement officers may be abusers as well as victims of domestic violence. It is essential that they receive the same help as civilians receive. It is not something to be ashamed of; it is a serious problem that needs special attention. Abusers show similar signs and causes, as well as victims experience similar abusers and abuse. What is the truth of officer-involved domestic violence?
Keena, you clearly addressed how domestic violence situations can impact an entire family. Typical a crisis responder is a person that assess the individuals and provide resources for continued emotional and physical support. You clearly demonstrated the knowledge of what resources to provide the family. As a crisis responder also assess if the individual or individuals are competent to make healthy choices especially when there are children are involved. The safety of all the parties are important but minors from my understanding take precedence because they are not emotionally and physical capable to defend themselves or get the resources to ensure their safety. Children of domestic violence can exhibit a variety of behaviors that are
Domestic Violence is one of the most common crimes that occur, however not all of them being reported. There are many effects and causes to this behavior in law enforcement officers that have been studied by many researchers doctors, authors, and the media. The victims of domestic violence from law enforcement officers (mostly being women) are affected by this greatly on a higher level than regular women who aren’t married to police officers or, as they have much more to lose if such acts were ever reported on their spouses. There are many theoretical causes of domestic violence from law enforcement officers, which effect their victims greatly, making it almost impossible for them to report any offense without some type of
The effects of victims of domestic violence from police officers is in a way unique and very dangerous. It is in fact more dangerous than any other domestic violent relationship because unlike a regular person, the law enforcement officer is familiar with and experienced with weapons and defense. They are able to access
1. In the “Melissa Dohme story--48 hours: live to tell: One last hug” ( Finley, producer, 2014) segment, Melissa explains that her case of intimate partner violence was previously reported to 911 Operators. Subsequently, when the two Clearwater Police officers show up, Melissa is told by the officers, “you know, we don't wanna keep coming out here. ... the girl always goes back. ... and they said, "we don't ever wanna see you again” (Dohme; Finley, producer, 2014). This seems to be a very common police response when it comes to victim’s who report domestic and IPV violence. Also, the demeaning police response stereotypes all victims; however, each abuse case is not the same. In my viewpoint, this issue is concerning when the police chose
we take time out, we can then consider our options and try to exercise them
“I object to violence, because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent”, quoted by Mahatma Gandhi. Violence is defined as an unjust or unwarranted exertion of power or force to intentionally injure, damage, or destroy something or someone. Amongst the various types of violence, there is one in particular that has been causing an ongoing debate within societies across the world; this certain type of violence is known as domestic violence. Domestic violence, also known as intimate violence or family violence, is a pattern of violent behaviors that are being used by an individual in a relationship to control his or her partner.() This act of abuse can come in many different forms, such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or psychological abuse, and can affect not only the victim, but anyone that he or she may come in contact with.
“Every year in the United States there are over 3 million incidents of domestic violence. That means that every nine seconds a women is beaten by her domestic partner” (Findeley). There are many women that stay silent when being abuse by their partners. The consequences of staying quiet when obtaining abuse can be dangerous and can also lead to death. Many women do not recognize the importance of the fact that there is in speaking out if they are being abuse by their partner. No woman should take domestic abuse by their partners. Every woman deserves a healthy relationship; A healthy relationship involves trust, respect, and consideration for the other person. Domestic abuse has gotten worse during the past years and is still rising up. One can see that domestic abuse can occur everywhere. Domestic abuse is considered a crime and woman should not keep silent when being abuse.