Domestic Violence Against Women and Children

Domestic Violence 2

Domestic Violence Against Women and Children

The statistics of domestic violence are rising each year despite the increase of the availability of help for the victims that this affects. “Domestic violence is where the victim to offender relationship is based on marriage, family ties, a romantic relationship, or a former marriage” (South Carolina Community Profiles, 2002, para. 1). Domestic violence includes simple assault, aggravated assault, intimidation, robbery, forcible fondling, negligent homicide, justifiable homicide, murder, kidnapping, rape, forcible sodomy, and many other sexual assaults. Abuse and Domestic Violence (2006) states that domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless to sex, social class, sexual orientation, or religion. (para. 2). There is a wide range of help that is offered to these victims including many domestic violence shelters for women and their children, crisis hotlines for support, legal aid services, mental health centers, and many other organizations that help encourage victims of domestic violence. The problem is that the statistics are still rising each and every year regardless to the widespread of help offered. Therefore, something more needs to be done in which the statistics show a decrease in the number of cases of domestic violence.

There are many things that can cause domestic violence to occur, however, the exact causes are unknown. Intimate Partner Violence (2007) lists many possible causes and conditions as to why domestic violence could occur, such as the use of illegal drugs or alcohol, mental diseases, stress, or the abuser could have a history of family violence, such as physical or sexual abuse themselves. (para. 6). The most well-known cause for domestic violence is the abuser having a history of family violence; it is believed to be hereditary. This is where a decrease in domestic violence could possibly be. If more victims were strong and reported the abuse sooner, then the abuser could possibly be helped, especially when children are involved. Otherwise, the young boys and girls watching this abuse take place over and over again could grow up thinking that it is okay to abuse or be abused. Then the cycle would continue to repeat itself when the children get older and have the same thing happen in their own families.

“Abuse is one person trying to control another by using fear, violence, or bullying. Abuse is not just physical; it may also be mental, emotional, or sexual” (Abuse and Domestic Violence, 2006, para. 1). Physical abuse includes hitting, kicking, pushing, shoving, or any kind of physical contact that leaves red marks or bruises on your body. This is the most common type of abuse that is recorded as domestic violence. Mental and emotional abuse includes insults, swearing, threatening, controlling, or any kind of non-physical, but verbal abuse. Sexual abuse can include being forced to have sex against ones wishes, forcible fondling, forcible sodomy, and even being made to do sexual acts with other people or animals. Abuse and Domestic Violence (2006) describes abuse as following a pattern that has three phases. Within the first phase is when the abuser gets edgy and tense, which is when verbal abuse, insults, and criticism increase, then shoving begins. Once the tension mounts is when the second phase of abuse occurs. The victim may begin to argue and be defensive and the abuser may respond by hitting or kicking them. Once the damage is done, the abuser usually apologizes and promises to change or get help, this would be considered the third phase of the abuse. At this point, the victim usually feels that the danger has passed and that the relationship can be saved.

There are many signs and symptoms of domestic violence that everyone should know in case a close loved one is being abused. When one seems to always be disturbed or frightened, suddenly avoids eye contact, acting shy, depressed, or withdrawn, or shows signs of low self-esteem could mean that they are suffering from some type of mental or emotional abuse. When one has unexplained bleeding, scars, burns, abrasions, bruises, grab marks, lacerations, broken bones, or any other visible, unexplained marks could mean that they are suffering from some type of physical or sexual abuse.

Arguments are normal in every relationship and many