Public Health - Domestic Violence - Case Study Example

Public Health: Domestic Violence First Middle Initial Your The problem on domestic violence has been existent with human society for centuries. It is only through the changes in the society and the cries for justice that domestic violence was recognized to be of moral implication, not only in the United States, but also all over the world. Researches have been done to identify, evaluate and suggest varied strategies to that will be able to help legislators to establish a universal approach to the prevention and control of domestic violence. Several approaches on economic improvement and child survey appear to be promising solutions. A unified effort of the government and the civilians is necessary to be able to prevent domestic violence from happening in any home. Keywords: Domestic Violence, Violence Against Women Act, Intimate Partner Violence Public Health: Domestic Violence Each individual has been born to a family, although some may have grown in a different environment; but it is a common knowledge that all human beings have experienced having a home. However, there has been a growing concern on the place that we call “home”, especially when public health is at risk, particularly, the effect of domestic violence. Domestic violence is defined as a form of behavior in a relationship where an individual uses different abuses such as physical, emotional or psychological to be able to control the other person. Threats and other actions, which inflict pain, humiliation, isolation or a sense of fear on the receiving party, or the victim, are also considered as domestic violence (US Department of Justice, 2012). The Domestic Violence Resource Center [DVRC] (2013) has consolidated different information on the occurrences of domestic violence in the United States. The data showed that women and children are the most common victims of domestic violence, but this does not exclude the occurrence of domestic violence where the victims are male. The social implication of domestic violence is of great concern for the government because of the effects of the trauma inflicted on the victims. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence [NCADV] (n.d.) reported that very few incidences of domestic violence are reported to the police. Victims of domestic violence either fail or simply do not report the incident to the police because they find the situation a private matter, or since the offender is also a family member, the victims still intend to protect them despite what the offender had done (Durose et al, 2005). This implies that despite the legal policies implemented by the government, its efficiency remains at a minimum. This paper focuses on the legal aspects of domestic violence as part of the government’s responsibility in providing a healthy environment for all the individuals in the community; and possible approaches to the prevention of occurrence of domestic violence. Literature Review National Statistics on Domestic Violence On a national level, the reported cases of domestic violence were about 2.1 victims for every one thousand American whose age range from twelve to adults. This data on 2005 signifies the effectiveness of the domestic violence law in the different states because the decrease in number of reported cases was more than half of the data that was collected from1993 to 2002 (Durose et al, 2005). Data until 2002 showed that about 10 percent of reported violence cases were domestic in nature, and almost half of the cases involved the crime on a spouse. Most of the victims on these cases were women, and almost the same percentage of the crime who committed the violence were men. Two in every 10 were reported to have the involvement of weapons and almost 40 percent of the offenders were under the influence of either alcohol or drugs (Durose et al, 2005). Murder cases in the form of domestic violence were reported to be about 20 percent, and about six in every ten victims of these cases were females. Children also make up a high percentage of the victims of domestic violence. About 66 percent of children 13 years old and below are murder victims in their own homes (Durose et al, 2005). History of the Legal System on Domestic Violence Most cultures have traditionally considered men as the more dominant species of the human race, but with the accompanying changes in all aspects of human life, women have become more visible in the society. During medieval periods, rape was not considered a crime, and the husband is not punished for such act. It was only in the 1970’s that the United States remodeled the legal aspect of rape cases (SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault [SCCADVASA], 2011). It was in 1972 that the first emergency crisis line was opened in the United States (Office on Violence Against Women [OVW], 2009). Pennsylvania was the first state to create the state coalition against domestic violence in 1976, and was also the first in passing a law on the protection of physically abused women. Two years later, 1978, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence [NCADV] became the national organization for battered female victims. In 1984, US Atty. General Benjamin Civiletti reports on domestic violence and gives the idea that national laws have to dig deeper into crimes happening in homes, and see beyond what is generally considered a “family matter”. The Congress, in 1988, amended the Victims of Crime Act by the inclusion of compensations to victims of domestic violence (OVW, 2009). Senator Joseph Biden was the father of the law on violence against women. The Violence Against Women Act [VAWA] was introduced in 1990, and was subjected to three years of study. After which, the report clearly provided evidence of the nation’s failure to in terms of the moral aspects and of public health. The VAWA became a law in September 13, 1994. Succeeding years after its approval, various organizations and institutions were created to help the victims of domestic violence in different territories of the United States. President Clinton signed the amended VAWA in October 28, 2000, which included the protection of the victims of human trafficking, elderly and disabled individuals as well as those who are in dating relationships; and included cyberstalking as a form of domestic violence. In January 5, 2006, President George W. Bush signed the VAWA 2005, which focused on protection of Indian women and teenage victims (OVW, 2009). Present Situation of the Legal System on Domestic Violence The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice [NJDCJ] (“Legal Aspects of Domestic Violence”, 2013) considers domestic violence as a crime and cases of which involve homicide or suicide. The police are then in charge of helping the community minimize, if not stop the incidences of domestic violence. New Jersey law enforcement officers are trained through different modules of their legal system, which clearly defines every aspect involved in pursuing cases that appear to be related to domestic violence. The training modules provided identifies the possible victims and the criteria that have to be properly identified to be able to determine the cases. The manual gives provisions not only on victims who are members of the household, including the elderly and disabled, but also extends to dating victims and even stalkers. It also gives the law enforcer the steps that should be gone through in cases of physical injury or suspected physical injury. The manual has defined many criminal offenses that may also fall under a domestic violence case such as homicide, kidnapping, sexual assault, lewdness, burglary and harassment (“Legal Aspects of Domestic Violence”, 2013). However, states have varied qualifications on the type of relationships that have to be considered as domestic violence case, often which, the relationship required is a husband-wife relationship, domestic partnership or with a common child. Gay and lesbian marriages do not qualify for domestic violence in states like Delaware, South Carolina and Montana. (NCADV, n.d.). Economic Impact of Domestic Violence Domestic violence leading to physical injuries and even homicide directly affects the economic status of the nation. This is because financial allocations and other protection costs have to be provided each year to be able to maintain the safety of the women and children from their domestic abusers. Post-traumatic medical services reach $4.1B annually as part of the legislation on domestic violence and medical services provided to injured victims reach $37B. (NCADV, n.d.). Losses in income of women due to domestic violence have been estimated to reach more than 30,000 full-time jobs; which is equivalent to more than 5 million productive days at home (NCADV, n,d,). The study conducted by Farmer and Tiefenthaler (2006) focused on the economic aspect of domestic violence. Instead of focusing on the losses, the approach diverted to the improvement of women’s economic standing at the family level. The study used a model that supported the theory on improving women’s income as a tool in preventing the occurrence of domestic violence. Social Impact of Domestic Violence Studies have been conducted to investigate on the effects of domestic violence in women and children. A significant study by Roberts et al(1998) showed that psychological disorders such as depression, trauma, and anxiety were observed in women who have experienced domestic abuse. The baseline data of this study further emphasized the increase in post-traumatic stress disorder of women who have been abused in their childhood and also as adults. The study also showed that women who have experienced domestic violence had greater tendency to be dependent to alcohol and drugs. Bornstein (2006) correlated two factors that lead to domestic violence, specifically women’s dependency on their spouses for economic support and men who depend on their wives mainly for emotional factors. The research showed that these factors independently affect the likelihood of the occurrence of domestic violence, implying a complex evaluation to be able to come up with the proper strategy. Children who have been exposed to domestic violence was studied by Stanley et al (2011). The study focused on an intervention technique, referred to as the Stop-Start Response, where the police provided the researcher a population of families which have been reported to have incidences of domestic violence. Assessments and warnings were repeatedly given throughout the study, however, the researchers were not able to properly gather information through their strategy because of the lack of time. Compared to the study by Stanley et al, the research conducted by Henning et al (1996) provided more relevant information. The approach used an adult population of women who may have witnessed their parents involved in domestic violence before they were 16 years old. The survey they conducted showed that most respondents witnessed interparental conflicts when they were 8 years old. Psychological stress levels were more evident in women who have witnessed domestic violence compared to women who have no experience at all. Discussion/Recommendations The data provided by Durose et al (2005) of the domestic violence cases until 2002, and the fifty-percent decrease in 2005 showed the improvement that the legal system has provided to the public. The different government institutions and even non-government organizations have increased the awareness of the public to help prevent the occurrence of domestic violence. Researches have shown a highly diverse condition to help minimize domestic violence. However, interventions must not be solely the responsibility of the government, as this has also been stated in the first VAWA. The law also requires a “coordinated-community response”, implying the involvement of all citizens, regardless of age, ethnicity or gender, to actively take part in the interventions being implemented by the government. Different emergency hotlines and help desks have been provided to be able to reach more victims, as well as improve the response time of the law enforcers (OVW, 2009). Future Implications Most studies gave evidence of the life-long effects of domestic violence, particularly affecting the psychological aspect of the victims. Bornstein (2006) and Farmer and Tiefenthaler (1997) indirectly showed that at the community level women who do not work or are significantly less financially-equipped are more prone to become victims of domestic violence. This leads to a new perspective on the factors which influence domestic violence. Strategies which may help improve women empowerment could be equally important to their protection against domestic violence. Improving their quality of life in terms of providing livelihood and giving women a sense of power and fulfillment outside their homes may help them gain more self-respect, specifically those who have mainly depended on their spouses for financial support. This approach is best supported by the research conducted by Dugan, Nagin and Rosenfeld (1999), where the study identified the implications of the change in women’s status and the expected reduction in domestic violence. The study identified the shift in lifestyle, legal amendments in divorce cases and standing of women in the modern society, particularly the social changes adaptation over the past twenty years. Exposure-reduction theory of the study correlates the reduction of domesticity of women, meaning that women are encouraged to go outside their homes by having jobs and other social activities outside their homes, to minimize the probability of domestic violence to occur. Having identified emotional dependency in men to be a risk factor on domestic violence (Bornstein, 2006), healthcare systems must also be able to provide assessment models for such cases. However, human emotions appear to be too complex. The study by Henning et al (1996) can be used to establish baseline information on children’s exposure to domestic violence. The finding that domestic violence is witnessed on the average age of 8 years old may help schools monitor the possible exposure of the children. Schools can help the government assess their exposure to domestic violence by conducting interviews and surveys similar to the approach done by Henning et al. Annual surveys and interviews of children can be a tool to monitor domestic violence exposure and risk throughout the period that the child goes to school. In this manner, proper counseling of children and assessment of their mental health can be guided accordingly by other institutions outside their home. Consequently, perpetrators can be much easier identified when consistent monitoring of the child’s exposure to domestic violence is done. This type of approach may also serve as a form of warning to possible offenders since parents or guardians of these students will be likely informed of the existence of such surveys. Conclusion Based on the studies that have been reviewed, focus on prevention, rather than post-trauma medical services and treatments must be prioritized to help minimize the economic and social impact of domestic violence, and at the same time provide more psychological benefit to the women who may be at risk to domestic violence. Children, on the other hand must be protected by the community, not just the government, from being exposed to any form of domestic violence. Legislators must be able to mandate the different states to provide a universal legal program on cases of domestic violence, contrary to the practices being carried out at present. Furthermore, gender issues (i.e. same-sex marriages) must not be a reason to be discriminated from the protection of the law. Domestic violence is a worldwide problem, to which all other nations have provided efforts to prevent such events from happening to women and children in their territories. The statistics presented, despite the decrease compared to the data in the past ten years, clearly shows the lingering existence of such criminal offense. It is therefore, a continuous struggle for both the government and the community to help keep every individual’s home safe and healthy. References Bornstein, R. (2006, Sep). The Complex Relationship Between Dependency and Domestic Violence: Converging Psychological Factors and Social Forces. American Psychologist, 61(6): 595 – 606. doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.61.6.595 Domestic Violence Resource Center[DVRC]. (2013). Domestic Violence Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.dvrc-or.org/domestic/violence/resources/C61/ Dugan, L., Nagin, D.S. and Rosenfeld, R. (1999, Aug). Explaining the Decline in Intimate Partner Homicide: The Effects of Changing Domesticity, Women’s Status, and Domestic Violence Resources. Homicide Studies, 3(3): 187 – 214. doi: 10.1177/1088767999003003001 Durose, M.R., Harlow, C.W., Langan, P.A., Motivans, M., Rantala, R.R. and Schmitt, E.L. (2005, Jun 12). Rate of Family Violence Dropped by More Than One-half from 1993 to 2002. Retrieved from http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/press/fvspr.cfm Farmer, A. and J. Tiefenthaler. (1997). An Economic Analysis of Domestic Violence. Review of Social Economy, 55(3): 337 – 358. doi: 10.1080/00346769700000004 Henning, K., Leitenberg, H., Coffey, P., Turner, T. and Bennett, R.T. (1996, March). Long-Term Psychological and Social Impact of Witnessing Physical Conflict Between Parents. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 11(1): 35 – 51. doi: 10.1177/088626096011001003 National Coaltion Against Domestic Violence [NCADV]. (n.d.). Domestic Violence Fact Sheet. Retrieved from www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf New Jersey Division on Criminal Justice [NJDCJ]. (2013). Legal Aspects of Domestic Violence. Retrieved from www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/njpdresources/dom-violence/dv-legal-aspects-stud.pdf Office of Violence Against Women [OVW]. (2009, Sep 14). The History of the Violence Against Women Act. Retrieved from www.ovw.usdoj.gov/docs/history-vawa.pdf Roberts, G.L., Lawrence, J.M., Williams, G.M. and Raphael, B. (1998, Dec). The Impact of Domestic Violence on Women’s Mental Health. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 22, 796 – 801. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-842X.1998.tb01496.x SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault [SCCADVASA]. (2011). General Overview and History of Domestic Violence. Retrieved from http://www.sccadvasa.org/domestic-violence-facts-and-stats/overview-of-domestic-violence.html Stanley, N., Miller, P., Foster, H.R. and Thomson, G. (2011).A Stop-Start Response: Social Services’ Interventions with Children and Families Notified following Domestic Violence Incidents. British Journal of Social Work, 41(2): 296 – 313. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcq071 US Department of Justice. (2012, Aug) Domestic Violence. Retrieved from http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/domviolence.htm Read More