Domestic Violence in slavic communities - Dissertation Example

Domestic Violence: Literature Review Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact Literature Review Existing researches on the issue of domestic violence indicate that despite various provisions set forth by relevant laws and regulations, there is no respite in the menace and it still continues unabated even in developed countries. Evidence also exists to suggest that the progress in the prevention of domestic violence has been “slow because attitudes are deeply entrenched and, to some extent, because effective strategies to address domestic violence are still being defined” (Khan, 2000).

It also claims that females being subject to violence the world over vary in the range of “20 to 50 per cent from country to country” (Khan, 2000). This clearly emphasizes the gravity of the problem. Another major concern in confronting this problem seems to stem from the fact that women, in general, lack awareness about the protection as well as the rehabilitation programs available to them. Linda Chamberlain and Julie Ann Rivers-Chchran find that there have been extensive advocacy programs for women and children of domestic violence, but the number of people who require this service far exceeds the resources available.

Therefore, the advocates now find it more appropriate to focus attention to expand “the scope of their work beyond direct victim services to include prevention” (Chamberlain, 2011). Thus, this literature review has brought to fore a valid consideration for orienting the efforts towards prevention as well rather than just supporting the victims. So far as it relates to the issue from the perspective of criminal justice, researchers contend that it has always been seen in the context of punishing the perpetrator rather than from the point view of instituting appropriate provisions to support to the victims.

Eve S Buzawa and Carl G Buzawa, in their book titled, “Domestic Violence: The Criminal Justice Response,” state that “deterrence-based theories of offending and reoffending have predominated policy responses,” and that “direct victim assistance and victim centered approaches to the problem have been relegated to incidental status often not considered important by significant policy makers, activists or those agencies funding research on the control of domestic violence” (Buzawa, 2003).

In this context, certain provisions contained in the Domestic Violence Manual for Judges 2006, instituted by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts, refer to the rights of the spouses of non-immigrants, who are subjected to domestic violence, by way of employment authorization. Section IV (C) (9) of the said manual mandates that “battered spouses of certain non-immigrants, including spouses of H visa holders (business visas), A visa holders (diplomatic), E (iii) visa holders (treaty based travel), and G visa holders (employees of foreign government or international organizations) may obtain employment authorization if they can demonstrate battering or extreme cruelty by the primary visa holder during the marriage (Huang, 2006).

Evidence also suggests that existing provisions in immigration laws which stipulate that “In order to obtain lawful permanent residence, the immigrant spouse must remain in the marriage to the citizen for at least two years” Such regulations, though implemented with the good intent of controlling illegal immigration, has certain side effects also, because this will compel hapless women to sustain acts of domestic violence meted out to them by spouses for fear of losing their residence status” (Shetty and Kaguyutan, 2011).

Thus, it transpires that many women who come to the country consequent upon marriage are being subjected to violence by their spouses and they are forced to tolerate the atrocities due to the fact that separation will preempt them from any rights of lawful residency. Most of the immigrant population in the US remains infested with this problem, including the Slavic community. Meting out physical punishment for disciplining children is a common practice in many cultures and Slavic countries are no exception.

Referring to a case of child abuse by Ukrainian immigrants who were followers of the Slavic Baptist Church, a member of community testifies that “domestic violence and child abuse are real problems within the (Slavic) community, particularly among the more conservative faiths” (Cole, 2009). The situation is no different in other immigrant communities like Asians and Hispanics. Since immigrant communities constitute a major share of the country’s populace there is an urgent need to specifically focus on them while framing laws and regulations to counter domestic violence or making amends to immigration laws.

Thus, this research will explore aspects relating to preventive measures as well as the scope for modifying the existing immigration laws and criminal justice laws to address issues relating to domestic violence in a practical context, so that the intended benefits really reach the deserving segment of the society. Reference List Buzawa, E S and Buzawa C G (2003). Domestic Violence: The Criminal Justice Response. 3rd ed. Sage Publications, Inc: California 91320 Chamberlain, L (2011). A Prevention Prime for Domestic Violence: Terminology, Tools, and the Public Health Approach.

Retrieved April 26, 2011, from http://www.vawnet.org/applied-research-papers/print-document.php?doc_id=1313 Huang, G S (2006). Domestic Violence: The Overlap between State Law and Immigration Law. Appendix-F to DV Manual of Judges 2006 published by Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts. Khan, M (2000). Domestic Violence against Women and Girls. Innocenti Digest, No.6 – June 2000. Retrieved April 28, 2011 from http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/digest6e.pdf Shetty, S and Kaguyutan J (2011).

Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence: Cultural Challenges and Available Legal Protections. National Online Resource Center on Violence against Women. Retrieved April 27, 2011 from http://www.vawnet.org/applied-research-papers/print-document.php?doc_id=384 Cole, M (2009). Slavic Community Questions Oregon Action in Child Welfare Case. Retrieved April 28, 2011 from http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/07/immigrant_community_questions.html