Definition and History of the Domestic Violence - Term Paper Example

Domestic Violence Definition and History of the Term Domestic Violence Domestic violence can be defined in a broad-based context or in a limited context. The term “domestic” refers to the types of relationships, as in a heterosexual relationship (Kapoor, 2000, p.2). According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence (2007), domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another…Violence against women is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior…that results in physical injury, psychological trauma, and sometimes death…(p.1) Additionally, domestic violence affects women regardless of their age, socio-economic status, religion, ethnic and educational backgrounds. The United Nations, through its Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, defines domestic violence as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. (Kapoor, 2000, p.2) This definition recognizes the fact that domestic violence is a crucial social mechanism that forces women into a subordinate position. Additionally, this definition takes into account the physical and psychological harm towards women, whether done in private or public life. The definition also encompasses three areas: Violence within the family Violence within the general community, and Violence committed or intentionally overlooked by the State (Kapoor, 2000, p.2). The UNICEF further recognizes that domestic violence encompasses violence committed by intimate partners and other family members as manifested through any of the following: physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and economic abuse. Physical abuse refers to acts such as slapping, choking, beating and murder, among others. It also refers to traditional practices that endanger women’s health and well-being such as genital mutilation and wife inheritance (Kapoor, 2000, p.2). Physical abuse may lead to death. The Washington state defines domestic violence as “physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the inflicting of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, between family or household members” (as cited in W. Newman & E. Newman, 2010, p.3). Sexual abuse refers to acts that force sexual contact without consent (W. Newman & E. Newman, 2010, p.4). It also includes coerced sex through the use of threats or physical force and forcing unwanted sexual favors. Psychological abuse relates to behavior meant to intimidate through the use of threats or abuse, abandonment, separation from children or family, humiliation, and isolation (Kapoor, 2000, p.2). Economic abuse, on the other hand, refers to acts that cause the victim to be totally dependent on the abuser (W. Newman & E. Newman, 2010, p.3). The abuser may not allow the abused to control funds or to take an employment, or the abuser may not contribute to the expenses (Kapoor, 2000, p.2). Statistical Data Many past researchers have cautioned about statistics related to domestic violence. Although there are records of rapes and assaults, much of domestic violence cases go unreported to the police or are not recorded, thus it is hard to determine the prevalence and nature of domestic violence. There are various reasons why most cases of domestic violence are not reported, including fear of reprisal and humiliation. In addition, the statistics on abused women is generally limited due to the use of narrow definition of domestic violence and exclusion of women outside of home (Shipway, 2004, p.5). The National Coalition against Domestic Violence (2007) reports that one out of four women will experience domestic violence, in one form or another, in her lifetime. Females who are between 20-24 ages are at a higher risk of being abused by an intimate partner (p.1). On the other hand, W. Newman and E. Newman (2010) reports that there are approximately 1.3 million women and more than 800,000 men who are physically assaulted by an intimate partner each year. The authors add that 25% of women experienced violence manifested through rape or physical assault by their spouse, boyfriend, or cohabiting partner sometime in their lives. In 2000 alone, there was a reported 1,247 women killed by their intimate partner (p.4). In one special report of the intimate partner violence cases in large urban counties, there were 3,750 cases reported in 2002 which comprised 83% of all domestic violence cases in 16 urban counties. In 84% of the cases, the majority of victims were females and the defendants were males. Twelve percent was attributed to aggravated assault and 78% attributed to simple assault. Interestingly, in 46% of the cases, the defendant had prior history of violence towards the same victim (Smith & Farole, 2009, p.1). Effects of Domestic Violence People equate family with sanctuary; it is where people find love and shelter. However, it can also be a place where lives are endangered and women are hurt. In most cases o domestic violence, males perpetrate violence. These are the individuals, including husbands, boyfriends, stepfathers or other relatives, who have been given trust and power, yet abused this trust and power to some extent. According to Kapoor (2000), “some go on to suffer throughout their adult lives – battered, raped and even murdered at the hands of intimate partners” (p.3). Domestic violence can have serious effects on the victim, the child or children and on other people. The effects can be long-lasting and may prevent a person from having a quality life. The following sections list the consequences of domestic violence on individuals involved: Effects on Spouse/Victim Physical Effects. The victims who suffer from physical abuse experience many physical effects. A study by Coker et al. (2002) aimed to determine the frequency of intimate partner violence and the health consequences to both men and women involved. The authors found out that almost 30% of women respondents and 22.9% of men had suffered from domestic violence during their lifetime. The results showed that the physical effects are risk of poor health, depression, substance abuse, chronic mental illness and injury directly resulting from physical violence (p.266). Psychological Effects. Many authors agree in saying that psychological effects are more damaging than the physical effects. According to Shipway (2004), depression is still the leading psychological effect of domestic violence on victims (p.28). Victims can also suffer from bouts of anxiety, feelings of abandonment, sensitivity to rejection, low self-esteem, and lack of trust in other people (Benedictis, Jaffe, & Segal, 2006). Other psychological effects include loss of confidence and self-respect, feelings of hopelessness and low self-worth. In some cases, victims can suffer from claustrophobia or develop self-harming behavior. Furthermore, victims resort to drugs and alcohol as a way of coping from abuse. These effects can last for a very long time (Shipway, 2004, p.29). Effects on Children Witnessing domestic violence inside the home can have various and damaging effects to children. It is also considered the strongest risk factor of “transmitting a violent behavior from one generation to the next”. In addition, boys who witness domestic violence are at a higher risk of abusing their own partners when they become adults (National Coalition against Domestic Violence, 2007, p.1). They are also affected by “fear, distress, and disruption in their lives” that result in adverse long-term effects. In addition, they are in constant state of fear, hopelessness and intimidation (Shipway, 2004, p.115). Baldry (2003) conducted a study which aimed to determine the relationship between bullying and victimization in school and their exposure to violence at home. The respondents of the study consisted of 1059 Italian children who go to elementary and middle school. One of the results showed that about half of all boys and girls experienced bullying and victimization in the last three months. Boys were more likely to bully. Additionally, Baldry found out that bullying and exposure to physical violence at home were associated. Notably, girls who have witnessed violence, whether father-to-mother or mother-to-father violence, were more likely to bully others. Baldry added that exposure to violence between parents predicted bullying and victimization at school (p.730). In another study, Holt, Buckley and Whelan conducted a review of literature on the effects of exposure to domestic violence to the well-being of children. Among the results of the literature review is the fact that children who are exposed to domestic violence are at a greater risk of experiencing abuse and of emotional problems. Unfortunately, these effects can have lasting effects even after the children’s safety was secured (2008). Long Term Effects of Domestic Violence Long Term Effects on Abuser All of past researches into domestic violence focused on the short term and long term effects to the victims. Interestingly, rarely can there be information found on the effects of domestic violence on abusers. This is surprising, considering that most abusers have witnessed domestic violence during their childhood and have been victims of child abuse themselves (Marano, 2003). The lack of data on the effects of domestic violence on abusers is an indication that most people do not consider it significant compared to the effects on victims Perhaps one notable fact about the effects that domestic violence has on the abusers is that they are affected as well. An article on domestic violence cited a psychologist saying that abusers do not feel good about themselves for their actions. They harm their intimate partners because “they have too little compassion.” In addition, abusers are characterized as having a fragile sense of self. This means that they need feedback from other people to feel good about themselves. It is also important to consider that abusers resort to violence when they feel that their sense of self is threatened. At times, abusers may feel unimportant, ignored, guilty, rejected or unlovable (Marano, 2003). Long Term Effects on Victims Some effects of domestic violence may become long term effects. Shipway (2004) acknowledged that minor injuries that are acquired time and again can result to long-term problems. For instance, eye injuries acquired during an attack may be gone in a week or so. However, if these injuries are sustained continuously, it may lead to permanent damage to the victim’s sight. In the same way, repeated head injuries may result to stroke or spinal injuries. In some cases, a woman may need to undergo reconstructive surgery after sustaining a severe facial injury (p.29). Kapoor (2000) added that injuries resulting from assaults can lead to chronic disabilities including total loss of hearing or sight. There were cases in the past when the victim suffered from severe psychological trauma. In addition, victims are at a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. Psychologically, a long term effect of domestic violence includes stress, substance abuse and post traumatic stress disorder (p.9). Domestic Violence vs. Physical Abuse The term domestic violence has a broader meaning compared to physical abuse. Domestic violence encompasses physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse and economic abuse, and includes violence that occurs within or beyond the home (Kapoor, 2000, p.2). Physical abuse, on the other hand, has a more limited scope. Generally, it refers to the use of physical force that ends in injuries (Benedictis, Jaffe, & Segal, 2006). It refers to abusive physical violence such as hitting, slapping, choking, and shoving, confinement, assault with a weapon, and burning among others. It can even lead to death (W. Newman & E. Newman, 2010, p.3; Benedictis, Jaffe, & Segal, 2006). Spousal Abuse Haley and Braun-Haley (2001) attested that spousal abuse has been around for a very long time. The tendency is for a dominant species to rule over others. This is true for humans. In most societies, males perceive themselves as the dominant species while females are the weaker ones. Some individuals tend to become violent towards other members of the family (p.24). The Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime (n.d.) defines spousal abuse as occurring in romantic relationships wherein one partner exercises power and control over another. It occurs in heterosexual relationships, dating relationships and in same-sex relationships. Women are more likely the victims of spousal abuse, although women can also be the abusers in a relationship (p.1). Child Abuse Child abuse, or child maltreatment, refers to “all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role.” The types of abuse include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. In 2008, there was a reported 1,740 deaths among children in the United States due to abuse and neglect. In the same year, it was found out that 772,000 children suffered from maltreatment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). In a 2009 report, it showed that 59% of the victims of child abuse in the United States suffered from neglect; 10.8% suffered physical abuse; and 7.6% suffered sexual abuse. Data gathered in 2007 showed that approximately 1,760 children died of child abuse or neglect. Majority of these children were four years old or younger (Hopper, 2010). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010) reported that there are several factors that can increase a child’s risk for child abuse or neglect, and these are age, family environment, and community. It was reported that children below 4 years of age are at a higher risk for child abuse. Most often, children living in a family where they witness violence between their parents or members of the family are at a higher risk for abuse. Furthermore, violence in the community may lead to the general acceptance of child abuse (p.1). Pet Abuse A sizable amount of research has been carried out to determine the connection between pet abuse and domestic violence. Although it may seem natural to deduce that there is indeed a connection, statistics must be taken with caution. However, evidence from collected researches indicate that pet abuse must be taken seriously as it “so heavily implicated in cases of family violence and child abuse in particular” (Linzey, 2009, p.4). Researches done during the 1990s showed that in a home where domestic violence existed, the family abused or neglected their pets. In some cases, the intimate partner of a victim of domestic violence threatened or harmed a pet. These results and other findings is an indication of a common pattern of abuse wherein women, children and animals were the victims (p.4). References Baldry, A.C. (2003). Bullying in schools and exposure to domestic violence. Child Abuse & Neglect, 27, 713-732). Benedictis, T., Jaffe, J. & Segal, J. (2006). Domestic violence and abuse: Types, signs, symptoms, causes, and effects. Retrieved December 1, 2011, from http://www.aaets.org/article144.htm Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime. (n.d.). Spousal abuse. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from http://www.crcvc.ca/docs/spousalabuse.pdf Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Understanding child maltreatment. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/CM-FactSheet-a.pdf Coker, A.L. et al. (2002). Physical and mental health effects of intimate partner violence for men and women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 23, 260-268. Haley, S.D. & Braun-Haley, E. (2001). War on the homefront: An examination of wife abuse. United Kingdom: Berghahn Books. Holt, S., Buckley, H. & Whelan, S. (2008). The impact of exposure to domestic violence on children and young people: A review of literature. Child Abuse & Neglect, 32, 797-810. Hopper, J. (2010). Child abuse: Statistics, research, and resources. Retrieved December 5, 2011, from http://www.jimhopper.com/abstats/#official-us Kapoor, S. (2000). Domestic violence against women and girls. Innocenti Digest, 6, 1-27. Linzey, A. (2009). The link between animal abuse and human violence. Oregon: Sussex Academic Press. Marano, H.E. (2003). The key to end domestic violence. Retrieved December 3, 2011, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200302/the-key-end-domestic-violence National Coalition against Domestic Violence. (2007). “Domestic violence facts.” Retrieved December 1, 2011, from http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet%28National%29.pdf Newman, W. & Newman, E. (2010). Domestic violence: Causes and cures and anger management. Washington: Newman International, LLC. Shipway, L. (2004). Domestic violence: A handbook for health professionals. London: Routledge. Smith, E.L. & Farole, D. J. (2009). Profile of intimate partner violence cases in large urban counties. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved December 1, 2011, from http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/pipvcluc.pdf Read More