Domestic violence is a serious problem, which occurs in many countries. In recent years, domestic violence or family violence has been recognized as a serious problem globally. Domestic violence is control by one partner over another in a dating, marital or live-in relationship. The means of control include physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse, threats and isolation. Survivors face many obstacles in trying to end the abuse in their lives such as psychological and economic entrapment, physical isolation and lack of social support, religious and cultural values, fear of social judgment, threats and intimidation over custody or separation, immigration status or disabilities and lack of viable alternatives. Increased public, legal and …show more content…
Actual or threatened physical violence, psychological violence and the denial of physical and economic resources all have an enormous impact on women 's mental health. These problems take many forms, all affecting women 's ability to attain a basic quality of life for herself and her family. Abuse is strongly associated with alcoholism and drug use in women (Facts About Domestic Violence). It also can lead to "fatigue and passivity coupled with an extreme sense of worthlessness" (Violence Against Women in the Family, 78 ). These symptoms together remove any initiative and decision making ability from the victim. This lethargy, coupled with economic barriers, makes escape from the situation very difficult. The lack of initiative also thwarts women 's abilities to participate in activities outside of the home. High levels of stress and depression are also extremely common mental health problems for victims of family violence, often leading to suicide (Facts About Domestic Violence). In the United States, one quarter of suicide attempts by white women and one half of attempts by African American women are preceded by abuse (In the Health of Women: A Global Perspective, 128). The World Bank 's analysis found domestic violence to be a major cause of disability and death among women; the burden of family violence is comparable to that of HIV, tuberculosis, cardiovascular disease or cancer (Domestic Violence Against Women: A Global Issue,
Domestic Violence is a widely recognized issue here in the United States. Though many people are familiar with domestic violence, there are still many facts that people do not understand. Abuse is not just physical, it is mental, emotional, verbal, sexual and financial. Many victims of physical abuse are also fall victim to these abuse tactics as well. An abusive partner often uses verbal, mental, emotional, and financial abuse to break their partner so to speak. It is through this type of abuse the victim often feels as though they are not adequately meeting their partner’s needs.
In this paper I will be telling you many different forms of domestic violence. I will include the physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, spiritual abuse, economic abuse, social abuse, and emotional abuse. I will also describe the "cycle of violence", teen dating violence, and why women stay with an abusive partner.
“Domestic violence is an emotional, physical, psychological, or sexual abuse perpetrated against a person by a person's spouse, former spouse, partner, former partner or by the other parent of a minor child” (McCue 2). While it is these things, the violence is also considered a pattern of demeanor used to establish power and control over another person with whom an intimate relationship is or has been shared through fear and intimidation (“Domestic Violence Sourcebook” 9). It has many names, including spouse abuse, domestic abuse, domestic assault, battering, partner abuse, marital strife, marital dispute, wife-beating, marital discord, woman abuse, dysfunctional relationship, intimate fighting, mate beating, and so on (2). Donna Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Accommodations, believes that domestic violence is “terrorism in the home” (2). This type of abuse involves threats, harm, injury, harassment, control, terrorism, or damage to living beings/property (2). It isn't only in relationships with spouses, it also occurs within family, elderly, and children (9).
Women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence. With college campus domestic violence, there is more harm done mentally than physically. The broken bones, busted lips, and scratches can be healed but the women’s psyche may not. Domestic violence and other abuse is the most prevalent cause of depression and other mental health difficulties in women. Domestic violence causes women to blame themselves. A young woman that has been abused has a high chance of having low self esteem problems, higher suicide rates, and severe depression. Domestic violence chews away at a woman with self respect. It slowly but surely takes the confidence as it happens more often. The longer a woman is abused, the more she is taken away from reality.
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).
There is an immense role occupational therapists can provided for survivors of domestic violence to improve their overall quality of life. Victims of domestic violence often have lifelong challenges and are at greater risk for many disorders and occupational deprivation.
There are many factors that could be the cause for a domestic violence; such as alcoholism, drug addiction, financial burdens, a failing economy system, psychological disparity, sexual deviousness and/or behaviors learned within a vicious cycle. It is known, that physical and/or sexual violence has a great impact on the overall mental health of the victims. Women present significant symptoms of anxiety, anguish, fatigue, headaches, tension and other psychosomatic symptoms. Most common, however, were symptoms of depression and deterioration in self-esteem. Of even greater concern, is thoughts and attempts of suicide, which is seen by victims as a real alternative and sometimes the only solution to their situation. Also, feelings of fatigue, irritability, insomnia and other problems have a direct impact on physical and mental
Thesis: In my paper, I will be examining the different types, possible causes, and effects of Intimate Partner Violence, and what treatments or programs are available to combat this growing problem in America. Regardless of differing approaches to fight it, statistics show that women all across the world suffer from the effects of domestic violence at a similar rate independent of class, race, or religion.
Domestic violence is not just fighting, hitting or an occasional argument. It’s a chronic abuse of power. The abuser of domestic violence, controls and tortures the victim of threats, intimidation, and physical violence. Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of violence in America. The abusers are not only men, women can be abusers as well. Women make up the vast majority of domestic violence. According to the American Bar Association (ABA), 90-95% of domestic violence victims are females and 70% of intimidating homicides are females. Domestic violence is a serious crime and everyone needs to be aware of its effects. This essay presents and explains the evidence supporting the major risk factors for intimate partner homicides.
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).
Domestic violence is a type of abuse that involves injuring someone; usually a spouse or partner, but it can also be a child or another family member. The abuser uses fear, guilt, shame, and to keep the victim under his or her control. The abuser may use many different types of abuse to assert this power, and the overall framework in which the abuse occurs may follow a pattern called the cycle of violence. There is an estimated four million incidences of domestic violence against women that occur each year, per the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2000). On average, twenty-four people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States more
The complainant reporter she has concerns regarding her safety due to her ex-husband past domestic violence history and most recent stalking. The complainant had moved out of Florida state for her safety and to pursue a new life. The ex-husband obtained information of her new residence and workplace. He has placed images of the workplace on instagram with indications he will get to her.
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.
In todays society violence is playing a major role in our everyday life. Not in a positive way but in a way that is harming many citizens in the United States. Most recently there was a shooting outside of McDonalds in the Woodlawn community leaving a black male and caucasian female severely wounded. There are many different forms of violence but Domestic Violence is what we are leaning towrds because it is very different from other types of violence. Domestic violence is violent behavior in homes that is the abuse of your spouse. Domestic violence in couples in Kenya are most the times unreported because it is a way to discipline your spouse which differs from the United States, where it is a crime and could lead to serious jail time. Domestic Violence in married couples is very common. Domestic violence is happening in married homes because of low self esteem, stress, and lack of trust in the household and relationships.
Experience of violence can lead to long term physical, mental and emotional health problems in the most extreme cases, violence against women can lead to death. Two thirds of victims of intimate partner/family related homicides are women, while women represent only 20 percent of victims of all cases of homicides. Half of countries in developing regions report a lifetime prevalence of intimate partner physical and/or sexual violence of at least 30 per cent. Prevalence is generally high in Africa, with one quarter of countries in the region reporting prevalence of at least 50 per cent. In Oceania, prevalence is the highest, reaching over 60 per cent in a number of countries in the region. More than half of developed countries report a lifetime prevalence of at least 20 per cent. Lifetime experience of psychological violence (including emotional abuse and controlling behavior) is highest in Latin America and the Caribbean, in Oceania and in developed countries where prevalence is higher than 40 per cent in more than half of countries. Acceptance of wife‐beating is generally higher in Africa, Asia and