The impact of domestic violence against women leaves a lifelong impact not only on the women but families and children. Violence against women has a major impact on the health and life expectancy of women. “These findings send a powerful message that violence against women is a global health problem of epidemic proportions,” Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, WHO. The World Bank estimates that rape and domestic abuse account for 5 percent of healthy years of life lost to women of reproductive age in developing countries such as South Africa. Not only does domestic violence affect women physically it affects them mentally leaving long-term emotional and psychological. Stress and depression are a very common mental health issue that victims …show more content…
One of the most significant pieces of legislation was the Domestic Violence Act 1998. The Act was created to protect women from domestic violence by making obligations on law enforcement bodies, such as the South African Police Service to protect victims. The Act tries to provide victims of domestic violence with protection to prevent further abuses. This Act recognizes that domestic violence is a serious crime against our society, and extends the definition of domestic violence to include not only married women and their children, but also unmarried women who are involved in relationships or living with their partner, lover etc. One key part under this act is the victim being able to receive a Protection Order. “This is an order from the court which specifically commands an abuser to stop abusing the victim.” Next there is the Firearms Control Act of South Africa which helps to limit people with a history of domestic violence from owning firearms. Then of course there is the option of divorce available in South Africa but it isn’t always an easy road getting there. There’s loads of paper work and costs of divorce but some states are trying to make it easier for women to get out of abusive marriages. Family court centers have been established in towns such as Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, and Lebowa. These courts bring the …show more content…
South Africa has strong laws protecting women and children, but they are not always being acted on accordingly. First many victims claims it takes a very long time for paper work to go through the Domestic Violence Act such as a protection order. Then South African Police Service who are supposed to enforce the Domestic Violence Act have a long history of neglect that still carries on till this day concerning domestic violence. “The Law Commission, in their 1999 Research Paper, identified a number of problems: police ignorance of the law was prevalent; their response to domestic violence was often insensitive and even hostile; there was a reluctance on the part of the police to accept a charge of assault against a male partner; and dedication to investigating such a charge was frequently lacking.” South African women victims of violence continue to face a corrupted judicial and police abuse. So basically the people who are swore in to protect and serve these victims are not doing their jobs. Another key issue is men are given leniency when it comes to domestic violence. The charges for domestic violence on the first offense is a warning to stop the abuse. Secondly if it persists they are arrested and thrown into jail for a night which rarely happens. Then if the case even makes it to court the man most of the time gets off or a
Women will continue to suffer from domestic violence unless there is some sort of intervention to help them. When dealing with this population, it is essential to create a safe environment where the woman can talk freely about the abuse without any retaliation from the abuser. When someone comes into a therapeutic session, everyone deserves to be treated with respect and care. This in turn will create a sense of hope that a different type of life can be possible. Also, knowing that there is a support system can help the woman begin the process of change. Despite this, the process of leaving the abusive partner is slow (Warshaw, n.d.)
There are many different types of domestic violence. Physical abuse is the most obvious form, but this is not to say that outsiders always recognize it. Generally, physical violence causes bodily harm, using a variety of methods. Slapping, pushing, throwing, hitting, punching, and strangling are only a few methods. An object or weapon may or may not be used. There is not always physical evidence of physical abuse such as bruising, bleeding, scratches, bumps, etc., therefore, absence of physical marks does not necessarily mean physical abuse had not occurred. Physical abuse sometimes escalates to murder (Morris and Biehl 7, Haley 14-17).
Countries such as the United Kingdom have laws in place to assist victims of domestic violence access legal aid in order to break free from abusive partners (Government, 2012). Such laws have come under criticism for making the barriers too high for most women who are victims of domestic violence (R v The Lord Chancellor& Secretary Of State For Justice, 2014).
I’ve tried to encourage my friend who went through domestic violence; it was a one time offense that she sadly had to face. I still have the scenario engraved in my memory. Mid-afternoon my best friend comes to my house tears rolling down her face; I immediately grab her and begin to comfort her asking her what’s going on I could feel her body trembling against mine and the fear in her voice when she spoke. The last thing I ever expected her to say was that her boyfriend hit her. As soon as she told me that rage immediately took over and I could only see red my first thought was that we had to call the police but she thought differently. It was a horrific event that she sadly had to face at a young age with someone she believed that loved her
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is historically referred to as domestic violence. It describes a pattern of coercive and assaultive behavior that may include psychological abuse, progressive isolation, sexual assault, physical injury, stalking, intimidation, deprivation, and reproductive coercion among partners (The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), 1999). IPV leads to lifelong consequences such as lasting physical impairment, emotional trauma, chronic health problems, and even death. It is an issue affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Eighty-five percent of domestic violence victims are women (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003).
During the 1980s and 1900s, domestic violence was one of the most unreported crimes that involve females and males getting hurt and dying. Kicking, choking, killing, and saying brutal or despise words that could hurt the victims physically or emotionally are considered domestic violence. In fact, many victims are afraid to seek for help. According to “The Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC), women account for approximately 85 percent of all intimate partner violence, with women aged 20-24 at greater risk” (Batten, par.16). Most pregnant women are at risk as well. “But underlying approach is still one that assumes the perpetrators are men and the victims are woman” (Haugen, par. 1). Moreover, both males and females believe that domestic violence is a solution to their issues.
The Family Law Legislation Amendment Act of 2011 and whether it has Reduced Violence and Abuse for Women and Children
Most people in society are one sided when it comes to domestic violence. Most people automatically think domestic violence as men abusing women. Most people believe domestic violence is associated with gender. For instance, some people associate men with violent, destructive, and belligerent behavior. While women are often seen as innocent, fragile, and vulnerable. For many years men were the ones showing violent behavior, so most people believe men are usually the aggressor. Many people believe men should never abuse a woman, and if he does he will charged and most likely serve jail time. Although, women are not viewed the same way. Over the years women have become just as aggressive and violent as men have been portrayed. Many women who are violent are given a pass if they abuse a man. More simply, their behavior is overlooked, because they are not seen as a threat to society, so they will most likely not be jailed or punished for their behavior. In addition, there are many resources to help women get out of domestic violence situations. For instance, there are hotlines they can call, shelters they can visit, and support
Have you ever met someone who was in an abusive relationship? Have you ever been in one yourself? Well, many people in the United States and around the world are in relationships that involve violence and abuse. Domestic abuse is a serious issue that seems to be taboo in a sense to some. There needs to be change, because it is critical. Many women suffer, and in some cases, men suffer too!
BIBLIOGRAPHY Barron et. al. 1992 WAFE Evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee Enquiry into Domestic Violence Bristol: WAFE Woman’s Aid Federation (England) Report 1992 Hague & Malos 1995 Against Domestic Violence: Inter Agency Initiatives Bristol SAUS Punching Judy BBC Television Programme 1989 Domestic Violence – Report of an Inter Agency Working Party 1992 Mooney J 1994 The Hidden Figures: Domestic Violence in North London London Islington Police & Crime Unit Inter-Agency Circular; Inter Agency Co-Ordination to Tackle Domestic Violence Home Office, 1995 Grace S 1995 Policing Domestic Violence in the 1990’s Home Office Research Study British Crime Survey 1996 The Home Office Dobash/Dobash/Cavanagh/Lewis 1996 Research Evaluation of Programmes for violent Men Scottish Office Central Research Unit Dobash/Dobash/Cavangh/Lewis 1996 Re-Education Programmes for Violent men – an Evaluation Home Office Research Findings No 46 Domestic Violence & Repeat Victimisation Home Office Police Research Briefing Note No 1/98 The Family Law Act Part IV 1996
The statistics available on violence against women are startling. Domestic violence is the major cause of death and disability for European women ages 16 to 44 and accounts for more deaths and injuries than automobile accidents and cancer. The Russian government estimates that over 14,000 women were killed by family members in 1999, but there is still no legislation that specifically addresses domestic violence. In South Africa, more women are shot in the home by relatives than are shot on the streets or by intruders (web.amnesty.org).
When most people think of the long-term effects of domestic violence, usually psychological problems come to mind. While psychological disorders are extremely common in women who are victims of domestic violence, it is also important to recognize that women who are abused also suffer long-term physical problems. In this paper, I will be discussing some of the common physical, as well as psychological consequences of domestic violence in women. I will also be discussing how women in rural areas are uniquely affected by domestic violence.
Domestic violence is skyrocketing in our society. In the U.S., as many as 1.5 million women and 850,000 men were physically assaulted by their intimate partner last year, and numerous children abused by their parents. These sad criminal acts will continue to grow in our society, unless our community takes action to stop these crimes. First of all, the most important tool we have available against this type of crime are the authorities, which include the police department, hospital, and social workers. If they manage to work together as a team to make the whole process of protecting a victim more efficient, it will encourage victims to actually phone for help.
Peacock, D. (2004). The Men as Partners Program in South Africa: Reaching Men to End Gender-Based Violence and Promote Sexual and Reproductive Health. International Journal of Men's Health, 173-188.
Violence against women (VAW) is now considered and recognized as a public health predicament and a human rights infringement of a worldwide scale and force (Ono, 2013; Raj & Silverman, 2002). Research evidence exists for it serving as a crucial social determinant of health and its resulting vast and damaging impact on physical and mental health for women in Canada (Sharma, 2001). Violence as a concept includes diverse forms of abuse that are directed at women and girls across their lifetime. One critical category or form of violence against women is domestic violence. For the purpose of this paper terms violence against women and domestic violence will be used interchangeably. Domestic violence has been recognized as a critical social problem