...Domestic Violence 1 Domestic Violence How do we survive? Kelly Cross ENGL135_ Advanced Composition Instructor: Michael Doloski February 23, 2011 Domestic Violence 2 I think that we need to learn what domestic violence is and figure out a way to stop this horrible crime. Domestic violence is the intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and or other abusive acts that is perpetrated by one intimate partner to another. For centuries, domestic violence has been a problem in the homes of thousands of people, and has reached from one nation to another, it does not matter what your race or even social class. At one time domestic abuse was seen as being acceptable and just in the past twenty-five years, they have brought this behavior out into the open and actually see it as being a problem, often times this behavior has been over looked and even ignored. How can we help stop this crime if we chose not to notice that the people we know and often times even love are being hurt inside their own homes. This is something that thousands if not millions people can relate to, as statistics show that one in four women report having to live in a situation of domestic violence. I know what its’ like to live in this kind of situation, and the fear that you live in on a daily basis is horrible. When I lived in the abuse, I felt as though it was something that I deserved. In the back of my mind, I thought that this was the only way that anyone...
Words: 1208 - Pages: 5
...Bridget Holmes 2659890 SWK 201Kirven DOMESTIC VIOLENCE According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2003-2012 domestic violence accounted for 21% of all violent crimes in the U.S. and of those crimes 76% of the victims were female and 75% of the victimizers were current or former spouses, boyfriends or girlfriend. This is an interesting topic to me because it is an issue that crosses racial, socioeconomic, religious, and cultural lines. It is an often unreported crime that occurs in every community with sometimes long term and devastating effects. This topic is important to me because I myself was a 2 time victim of domestic violence. The first occurred with my children’s father whose physical, mental and emotional abuse towards me began early and increased over time, until I ended it by severing our relationship ties. The second was a former boyfriend who stalked and harassed me for almost 2 years, until he was finally arrested and served a year in jail. No one would have ever suspected that I would have experienced such things, especially because a lot, perhaps too many of the incidences went unreported and were covered up by me, the victim. Historically, women...
Words: 1385 - Pages: 6
...Domestic Violence Nursing March,05, 2012 Abstract Domestic violence is steadily becoming one of the most major menaces to women's health. Domestic abuse during pregnancy is a serious issue which affects not just the mother, but the unborn child as well. Domestic violence occurs across all racial and ethnic groups, affecting females who are most frequently the victims. Women with unintended or unwanted pregnancies are at a higher risk for experiencing physical abuse than women with planned pregnancies. Domestic violence does not discriminate across the lines of nationality, culture, gender or race. An alarming fact is that in the United States domestic abuse has been found to be the single most common precursor to children's death (Lomas & Fowler, 2010). Keywords: domestic violence, pregnancy, abuse, battery, assault Domestic Violence Introduction Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive, coercive, and threatening behavior that may include emotional, physical, sexual violence, isolation, economic, and coercion as well as intimidation (Newacheck & Halfon, 2007). It occurs in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. Domestic violence especially violence against pregnant women, is still a shamed subject despite the fact that it is a severe public health issue that threatens both the unborn child and the mother's outcome. Women who are assaulted while pregnant are at a greater risk for putting off health care needs. Domestic violence allows the...
Words: 1630 - Pages: 7
...Domestic Violence amongst African American Women Domestic violence occurs in an estimated 4 million intimate relationships each year in the United States. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in which a person uses coercion, deception, harassment, humiliation, manipulation, and/or force to establish or maintain power and control over his or her intimate partner. Economic, emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, and verbal tactics are used by perpetrators to control and obtain power over their partners. Domestic violence crosses ethnic, racial, age, national origin, sexual orientation, religious, and socioeconomic lines. The majority of victims of domestic violence in heterosexual relationships are women. One out of every three adult women experiences at least one physical assault by an intimate partner during adulthood. African Americans experience domestic violence at a high rate in comparison to their numerical representation in the population. Although domestic and sexual violence occurs in all socioeconomic classes, socioeconomic disadvantages do increase the risk of the incidence of violent crimes. In intimate partner violence cases of spousal assault, power balance is an important risk factor. Among domestic violence cases, husbands who have (or feel that they have) less power than their wives are more physically abusive toward them, because of the perceived lack of power in other areas of their lives. Although there are different sociological theories...
Words: 1524 - Pages: 7
...and reasons for domestic violence in society. Domestic Violence can be physical, psychological, sexual or financial abuse. It involves controlling behaviour from partners, ex-partners, household members & other relatives. Statistics show that domestic violence is mainly against women and 1 in 4 women are assaulted. Domestic violence accounts for 1 in 6 of all violent crimes. Domestic violence tents to run in a generational cycle of abuse and/or a history of abuse in families. Children who grow up in an environment where control is maintained through verbal threats, intimidation and conflicts can escalate into physical violence. Children who have grown up in this environment are more likely to resort to the same methods of abuse as adults. There are a number of factors that may lead to domestic violence in society. In an environment where violence is either taught, by example, or accepted as “normal” will cause an impact on any child who lives in that environment. For example, if a young boy frequently sees his father come home for work in a bad mood, and watches his father hit his mother, the young boy will begin to see this as ‘normal’ and as the ‘manly’ thing to do. Millet who is a Radical Feminist says that, all societies are founded on patriarchy and that men are the enemy. She says that the marriage is a patriarchal institution due to the norms of marriage- In the vows a woman says she will 'honour and obey' her husband. Millet states that domestic violence is inevitable...
Words: 539 - Pages: 3
...that want to know what is it, and why do they do it? Why do all these women stay in that kind of home, and what are the effects on them when this happens? How do the children deal with this kind of situation, and what effects does it have on them? One of the most important questions you would most likely hear is how do you leave an abusive relationship and how do you cope with it after you do leave? “Domestic Violence affects ___ in every ___ families. In the past, victims of domestic violence were silenced. Their pleas for help fell on deaf ears, as our society continued to look the other way. These are new times that we live in, where victims of all ages, genders, and ethnicities have a stronger voice. We will no longer deny them the voices with which they will speak out to heal themselves, and strengthen others." First, abuse can happen to anyone. What is abuse? Abuse occurs when one partner uses different types of abusive behaviors to gain control or power of the other. Abuse is described as many things like, physical, emotional, sexual, or it can even just be a threat. Domestic violence in our society has grown a tremendous amount. Women that are being abused usually do not see themselves as a victim, and that also goes for the abuser (Domesticviolence.org). Warning signs are very important. An abusive man will show signs of extreme jealousy, and have a very poor self-image. Victims are more than likely to be dependent on their abusers for financial support. If something...
Words: 882 - Pages: 4
...Domestic violence against women, men and children is a social problem that occurs in almost every area of the world. There is basically no place where it is not a growing problem, and men, women and children of no race, class, or age are exempt from its grasp. Although most victims tend to be women, domestic violence involves men, women and children no matter what kind of relationship the person may be in whether heterosexual or homosexual. "He doesn't mean to hurt me-he just loses control." "He can be sweet and gentle." "He's scared me a few times, but he never hurts the children, he's a great father." "He's had a really hard life..." Women in abusive relationships tell themselves these things every day. (September 2003, Lundy Bancroft, Why...
Words: 1059 - Pages: 5
...A Male and Female Perspective on Domestic Violence I shared my in-depth story about surviving domestic violence to an audience of more than 300 people. After the event was over, there were many who came and shared, however there was one gentleman who patiently waited until the last person left. He was a distinguished gentleman who humbly greeted me. We began an intense conversation about my story and how women who suffer with domestic violence are perceived. The conversation lasted for a long time. We ended up exchanging information and within a week he contacted me. As our conversation picked up, he began to share and I found myself weeping as he shared his story. He opened up to me about how he was a survivor of domestic violence. In this essay I am going to share the effects of emotional abuse from both his perspective and my female’s perspective. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) defines domestic violence as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. Typically when you hear the words domestic violence, it’s often assumed to be associated with women and although the numbers are astounding for women there are many untold stories of men who have suffered abuse as well. I knew...
Words: 631 - Pages: 3
...Domestic violence Domestic violence is when someone suffering from home abuse from their partners,stepmother or stepfather and employers . Domestic violence should not happen to anybody.Ever.period. But it does and when it does there is help maybe you have lived with abuse,maybe it happened just once;maybe you work or live next to someone who is being abused right.whoever you are.you can find help.Abuse is never okay. Domestic violence related to death in Santa Clara county's increased sharply from 2014 to 2015 but last year’s 13 deaths were consistent with historic averages according to an annual report released Wednesday. In 2015 returned the county to just above a 21 year average of 12 deaths per year.An elderly man with health issues killed his wife and subsequent attempted or succeeded in committing suicide.2015 report details a December incident in which the man terminally ill with cancer,shot his wife in the head. He left a letter for police stating that he killed his wife because he wanted them to go together: his wife suffered from Alzheimer’s and he afraid that she would have no one to care for her after his death but I still look at that as domestic violence I don’t think that give him enough reason to kill his wife at all.Many domestic violence witness are afraid to make matter worse or bother police prevention with their involvement.For example, they can call police to inform them about what they see , but the victim could be disagree or upset about it they are...
Words: 1929 - Pages: 8
...Domestic Violence WALK down any street in America. In every other home, some form of domestic violence will occur at least once this year. And in 1 out of 4 homes, it will take place repeatedly. Ironically, many who are afraid to walk the streets at night are in greater danger at home But domestic violence is not just an American phenomenon. It occurs throughout the world. For example, in Denmark 2 out of 3 murders take place within the family. Research in Africa shows that of all murders those within the family vary from 22 to 63 percent, depending on the country. And in Latin America many people, especially women, are degraded, battered, or killed by macho men. In Canada about a hundred women die each year at the hands of their husbands or common-law spouses. In the United States, with nearly ten times the population of Canada, each year some 4,000 women are killed by abusive husbands or boyfriends. Furthermore, each year some 2,000 children are killed by their parents, and the same number of parents are killed by their children. Thus, the world over, husbands batter wives, wives strike husbands, parents beat children, children attack parents, and children are violent toward one another. “The most anger and violence that adults experience in their lives is from or toward a blood relative,” asserts the book When Families Fight, “and that anger is more intense than that experienced in any other relationship. “Rather than being a refuge from the stresses, strains, and...
Words: 1101 - Pages: 5
...| Domestic Violence | A Personal Account | | Gloria Dickerson | 3/14/2014 | | Domestic Violence: A Personal Account When we think about domestic violence we think of the physically abusive husband and the docile abused women. We may think of the children involved but that is where most of us stop. However, this type of violence has a much further reach then those that live in the walls of the home that the abuse takes place in. During this report we will look at the different perspectives and roles of the media and society as a whole. We will focus on the victim of the abuse rather than the abuser by getting a firsthand report of not only a woman who escaped over fifteen years of abuse. One of the first things we must do is look at what is domestic violence. The very term implies a physical violence, however we know that the term encompasses much more. Physical violence is just one aspect of how a domestic partner can do harm. Verbal abuse is said by some to be more harmful then the physical. Continually being told you are worthless or good for nothing would be very hard for a spouse or child to move past. When looking at today’s view or classification of domestic violence we must look at what the past tells us about society’s perceptions of this crime. (Schaefer). We have to realize one of the problems with solving this problem is that some still do not see it as a crime. Laws prohibiting spousal abuse have been around since the 1600’s, however...
Words: 1272 - Pages: 6
...ABSTRACT A domestic worker is a person who works within the employer’s household. Domestic workers perform a variety of household services for an individual or a family, from providing care for children and elderly dependents to cleaning and household maintenance, known as housekeeping. Responsibilities may also include cooking, doing laundry and ironing, food shopping and other household errands. Some domestic workers live within the household where they work. At its 301st Session (March 2008), the ILO Governing Body agreed to place an item on decent work for domestic workers on the agenda of the 99th Session of the International Labour Conference (2010) with a view to the setting of labour standards. The conditions faced by domestic workers have varied considerably throughout history and in the contemporary world. In the course of twentieth-century movements for labour rights, women’s rights and immigrant rights, the conditions faced by domestic workers and the problems specific to their class of employment have come to the fore. In 2011, the International Labour Organization adopted the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers which covers decent work conditions for domestic workers. Recent ILO estimates based on national surveys and/or censuses of 117 countries, place the number of domestic workers at around 53 million. But the ILO itself states that “experts say that due to the fact that this kind of work is often hidden and unregistered, the total number of...
Words: 5096 - Pages: 21
...Domestic Violence Do you ever ask yourself, what is the definition of domestic violence? Most will answer with their own personal experiences and others may just assume that women are the only ones abused. According to the Oxford English Dictionary domestic violence is a violent or aggressive behavior within the home, especially violent abuse of a partner. Personally having to witness domestic violence as a child was traumatizing, but luckily that is no longer an issue. By volunteering at a domestic violence shelter specifically for women it will teach others about abused victims and help solve many unclear perceptions when dealing with domestic violence. Perhaps, many suffering do not realize the severities of not seeking help and continuing in an abused relationship. Women's shelters allow abused women to escape physical abuse and receive the necessary counseling. Faith House Domestic Violence Shelter (FHDVS) is located in the West Valley; the shelter offers great services for victims and their children. Services include 24-hour crisis hotline, safe housing, meals and basic needs, case management, childcare, counseling and educational classes. This shelter offers an opportunity for the victim to rebuild their lives and children’s. The main issues addressed at the shelter include the co-dependency in the relationship, children and abuse, communication, and healthy relationships. By providing personal experiences and continuous education they will be able to provide the necessary...
Words: 819 - Pages: 4
...| Domestic Violence | | | Veronica Crews | DeVry University | | INTRODUCTION Do the problems with our economy have any effect on the increasing number of domestic violence reportings? Money problems are always a risk factor in relationships. Due to the downfall of job losses, the falling of the financial markets, and foreclosed homes, there has been more tension in homes. As a result, organizations that deal with domestic violence and substance abuse are bracing for more demand for their services, even as the recession is forcing some to cut budgets and lay off their own personnel. Although an economic downturn itself does not cause domestic violence, it can increase the factors that contribute to domestic violence and reduce victim's ability to leave. (Kalson, 2008). According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence 24-hour census, “the economic climate may give batterers additional leverage when using emotional and financial abuse to control their partners” (Feb. 2009). Domestic abuse occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence. Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: to gain and maintain control over someone. The abuser doesn’t play fair. They use intimidation, fear, shame, and guilt to wear someone down and keep that person under his or her thumb. The abuser...
Words: 2081 - Pages: 9
...DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: AN OVERVIEW WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? What is domestic violence, and why does it persist? Domestic violence, partner abuse, battering, family violence, and wife beating refer to abuse committed by one adult against another with whom the abuser has or has had an intimate or romantic relationship. Most domestic violence is committed by men against women. According to the Department of Justice, women are victims of domestic violence eleven times more often then men. Although, some sources suggest that women use violence against males as frequently as men do against female partner, most evidence shows that the violence inflicted by men is much more severe. Domestic violence includes physical, sexual, and emotional acts of violence and abuse. Physical abuse usually involves the intent of causing harm or injury to the victim. It can take the form of slapping, punching, throwing the victim down or into the walls and objects, tripping, biting, kicking, or twisting arms and legs. It may involve life-threatening behavior such as choking, stabbing, burning, attempting to drown, or shooting with a gun. Abuse may also refer to withholding necessary items, or to physical restraint such as locking the victim in a home or closet, handcuffing, or tying up a person. Sexual abuse includes genital mutilation and marital rape. Psychological and verbal abuse is usually present along with physical or sexual abuse. It can involves behavior such as constant...
Words: 1690 - Pages: 7
