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Introduction sample of domestic violence
Introduction sample of domestic violence
Narratives about domestic abuse
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Domestic violence is becoming more and more of a reality in today’s world; 57,000 people have been killed in domestic violence situations in the last 25 years (Fantuzzo and Fusco, “Children’s Direct Exposure to Types of Domestic Violence Crime: A Population-based Investigation”). This alarming statistic has prompted the increase of women’s shelters, usually known as “safe houses,” across the nation. Since safe houses are usually non-profit organizations dependent on donations, critics wonder if these shelters’ benefits outweigh the high cost it takes to keep them running. Are women’s shelters actually effective? Based on statistical evidence, the beneficial resources that safe houses provide, and multiple survivors’ stories, it can be proven that women’s shelters are indeed effective and very necessary. Statistical evidence can be used to stress the seriousness of domestic violence and the importance of having women’s shelters dispersed throughout the nation. According to recent surveys, one in every three women will experience domestic violence at some time during her lifetime. Domestic violence is also the leading cause of injury to women, with the abuser usually being a member of her own family. Finally, up to ten million American children witness some type of domestic violence every year (Fantuzzo and Fusco, “Children’s Direct Exposure to Types of Domestic Violence Crime: A Population-based Investigation”). These statistics show that domestic violence is a reality and that the efforts of women’s shelters are not in vain. Women’s shelters first began many years ago and have improved over time. The first shelter in the nation for abused women and their children, Women’s Advocates, was founded in 1974, in St. Paul,... ... middle of paper ... ...n abuser, but without the city’s financial support and the acceptance of the general public this would not be possible” (Petska, “Organizers of safe house withdraw”). Since Malden and Brodowicz work for women’s shelters, the statements they provide are firsthand opinions; because they know what it takes to run a shelter, it is very important to them to stress the importance of funding for the shelters. Without women’s shelters, millions of abused women would not have a “way out” of the danger they face each and every day. Based on the statistics, survival stories that are typical of victims helped at a shelter, and the beneficial resources provided at shelters, it is obvious that women’s shelters are very effective and necessary. It is crucial that these shelters receive adequate funding in order to give victims of domestic violence a hope for a better future.
“Such a woman faces two major obstacles: fear and finance -- fear for her safety and that of her children and a lack of money to support herself or them. The most dangerous time in the life of a battered woman is when she attempts to leave her abuser. Threatened by the loss of control, the batterer is likely to become even more violent and may even try to kill her. There are simply not enough shelters to protect all the women who need them” (1).
In Kind Hearted Woman, Robin talked about how she went to a women’s shelter for battered women. There are several shelters that help women who are abused. For instance, Minnesota has an excellent program called the Anne Marie’s alliance. This is an excellent non-profit organization that helps women who have been battered. They offer a safe place for women and their children. Anne Marie’s alliance has helped over 14,000 battered women and their children. I was lucky enough to watch a presentation on this lovely organization, and they truly give me hope that there are many good people out there. The fact that 14,000 people have been helped though this alliance, shows that women are truly taken advantage of in our society. There are several programs that help battered women in our society, thus it is crucial that something is done to prevent these types of incidents from reoccurring. Robin is lucky that she was able to go to a shelter and seek the support she deserved. Like sexual abuse, there are several programs out there that help with alcoholism. In fact, many shelters will help one get the right resources they need to become sober. Minnesota has many rehabilitation centers that one can go to, if they
54% of women victims of serious sexual assault were assaulted by their partner or ex-partner (Stern 2010). 19% of women have experienced stalking since the age of 16 (Smith (Ed.), Coleman, Eder and Hall January 2011). These statistics help give a picture of the problem but do little to shed light on the solution. There are many programs and shelters offered to victims of domestic violence, Hill Country Cares is one of them. Hill Country Cares is a government funded women’s shelter better known s HCC. This is a place where victims of domestic violence are referred to from many sources. (i.e. local authorities after reporting a domestic violence incident). HCC is a safe place where victims receive many different types of assistance while their situation, as well as the painfully intimate details of their abuse, are kept entirely confidential.
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.)
From facilitating this safety plan, I have learned how to help women move through their options for safety. I have seen that women can be even more creative, strong, and empowered than I imagined possible. Most importantly, this assignment has given me the opportunity to truly consider and offer an alternative to a life of abuse that many women have never heard of before. I believe that the safety plan is important to both the woman seeking safety from her abusive relationship as well as the advocate having trouble seeing the victim as able to overcome the risks of intimate partner violence.
An abused woman is always faced with a number of different choices from which she may consider, with regards to seeking help or ending the relationship with a variety of alternatives, the woman knows each decision involves a variety of risks. Time after time, the common question arises, “why doesn’t she just leave?” This question can be answered by analyzing the psychological effects domestic abuse has on women. Many women are unable to cope with the emotional and psychological stress of domestic abuse and resort to violence and extre...
Rather than approach domestic violence as a direct cause of homelessness, one might hope to understand how such violence could help create the circumstances that might make a woman more susceptible to homelessness. Domestic violence and poverty may intersect with other issues to produce the circumstances that often leave women no other choice but to seek temporary shelter for the short-term, and therefore remain precariously housed.
Originally, Kurhi established his opinion on the new shelter through the use of specific diction and by providing background information. He states “70.6 percent of the 6,500 homeless people on any given night are considered ‘unsheltered’” (2). This serves a dual purpose: it creates sympathy for the homeless, solidifying Kurhi’s opinion that the homeless shelter is needed for those who are “unsheltered,” while maintaining his credibility. Furthermore, Kurhi quotes Sunnyvale Councilman Jim Davis, who broaches the fact that “’there are still a lot of people in danger’ on the streets” (2), further evoking sympathy and underlining Kurhi’s approval for the efforts taken by city officials to establish a new shelter.
t there especially alone” (Staying Safe in a Women’s Shelter pg. 3). “The longer you stay at the shelter the harder it will be to leave, do not become too dependent on the shelter” (Staying Safe in a Women’s pg. 2). Works Cited “Domestic Violence Facts” NCADV. (2005-2011) 13 September 2011.http://www.NationalCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence.org Jackson, Caron “Domestic Violence and Abuse” Food/cooking/nutrion/community 3 December, 2009, 26 October 2011. http://www.thefreelibrary.com Renee, “Staying Safe in a Women’s Shelter” 11 July 2006, 5 October 2011.
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.
There are very few shelters, which will take in runaway women. These shelters besides being few in number are also run on a small scale often equipped to handle visitors for short periods of time. No real constructive assistance is given to the battered women.
Around the 1950’s and 60’s, the Civil Rights and Anti-war movements began to lay the ground work for the feminist movement. During the 1970’s, spousal abuse became a public issue and the battered women’s movement was brought to the public eye. At this time there were several movements under way such as, women’s liberation, women’s health, and anti-rape movements. As a results of the success of these agencies and the resources and networking that already was in place, many battered women’s shelters were opened across the United States. The first of these, was the Women’s Advocates shelter in St. Paul, Minnesota which opened in 1973. It was not until 1984 that a bill, The Family Violence Prevention Services Act was passed through Congress. This act would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Service to give grants to States that would assist them in creating, expanding, and maintaining programs and projects that aid in the prevention of family violence.
The Women Shelter The years have passed, but the event remained in my heart as though it just happened recently. Unfortunately, a couple years ago, I had to run away from my abusive husband. I moved to a women’s shelter with a lawyer’s help. The women’s shelter was the only place I thought would give me hope, support and after all, protection for vulnerable women like me. However, my impression of the shelter changed after I admitted to it.
The four domestic violence services that currently exist in the High Country are doing as much as they can to serve a large population. They serve different dimensions of domestic violence services, from prevention to post violence assistance. They work hard to overcome the barriers associated with rural communities. The most helpful solution to increasing their services and helping more women would be to provide more funding for their organizations. Actually increasing the funding they receive however, is not an easy task.
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.