Domestic Violence and Health Consequences - Research Proposal Example

mestic abuse or spouse abuse is when a family member is suppressed or dominated by another member, partner or ex-partner in a psychological or a physical manner. According to Buzawa (2002), “Domestic violence is operationally defined as violence between intimates living together or who have previously cohabited.” Domestic violence usually takes place between spouses and is also called spousal abuse but it can also occur among people living together that is, among brothers, child and parent, sisters, friends and non-married intimate partners.

People from various races, sexes, religions and cultural backgrounds sexes can be the victims of domestic violence. It occurs and affects all kinds of people and couples. Domestic Violence doesn’t just affect a way a person acts, but it affects their health as well. Domestic violence is defined as behavior used by one person in a relationship to control another. The relationship can be between married or unmarried couples, separated or dating, gay or lesbian. Domestic violence includes, keeping a partner away from calling his/her friends or family, withholding money, threatening or harming physically, calling names or putdowns, stalking, intimidation and abusing sexually.

It can occur occasionally, on and off or very often. The intensity of harm can be mild, severe and also can go up to homicide. However emotional, psychological and financial abuse is not considered criminal violence like physical abuse but may lead to criminal violence. Domestic abuse caught attention only after womans movement in 1970s, particularly feminism and women’s rights which was focused on the wives being physically assaulted by their husbands. And only after the mens movement the abuse of men by women has caught attention.

Domestic violence can have some very serious physical and mental effects on the victims as well as the children of a family where domestic violence occurs, and they are more likely to be ignored or to get