International Domestic Violence - Essay Example

 International Domestic Violence Abstract Domestic violence revolves around violent actions that are common in domestic settings. These actions could be physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. This paper focuses on the issue of domestic violence. It results to significant economic and social cost to the victims, family, community and the nation. Several researchers have indicated that women are more likely to become victims of domestic violence than men. Additionally, the women are less capable of leaving a violent relationship, depending on English language abilities, pregnancy and physical disability. Numerous factors are closely connected to domestic violence such as low level of education and unemployment. The paper gives a brief overview of prevalence, impacts and risk factors associated with domestic violence. International Domestic Violence Introduction Domestic violence has become a severe problem in many countries. It has been recognized at a global level due to its harmful effects on the family members, as well as an expense for women, community, and nation. However, the vast majority of its victims are women. Research indicates that African America experience a higher rate of domestic violence compared to other women. Additionally, the African American women’s rates of domestic violence are very high, except the American Indian women (Rennison, 2001). On the contrary, they are unlikely to report these cases of domestic violence. In other countries for example Cambodia, domestic violence has increased as a result of civil war, which has led to unstable social structures, an economic slowdown, and low level of education. In Cambodia, people think that domestic violence is inevitable. In Australia, women who experience violence are more likely to report these incidents. The periods between relationship breakdowns are a risky time for domestic violence. Prevalence of Domestic Violence Approximately one in three women in Australia has experienced domestic violence, and one in five has experienced sexual violence according to a personal safety survey (ABS, 2006). These findings also indicate that are more likely to experience physical abuse compared to male at the hands of their partner. According to these results, 78 percent of the victims were female.In the United States, women were also more likely to be a victim of abuse and sexual violence. A study indicated that 32 percent of women had experienced domestic violence compared with 11 percent of men who had experienced domestic violence. Also, approximately 89% of women had experienced for or more incidents of domestic violence (Kolbo, Blakeley and Engelman, 1996). Domestic violence in Cambodia is widespread .Approximately one in women is a victim of violence inflicted by their male partner. A study revealed more than 10% of Cambodian men use violence on their female intimate partners. This is because according to their custom, domestic violence is a private matter between husband and wife (Oxfam, 1999). Research had indicated that domestic violence is perpetrated by the males. Also, women have a higher probability to suffer in the hands of their partners. Nevertheless, these estimates of distribution of violence may vary. Impacts of Domestic Violence The total costs of domestic violence to families, victims, perpetrators, communities, and governments are very high. These costs include pain and premature mortality, exposure to domestic violence among the children, the response of the support programs, replacing damages, and impacts on productivity. Additionally, it is associated with a broad range of health implications and one of the biggest health risks to women aged 15 to 45 years. In Australia, more than half victims of homicide were killed by their partners. Another study indicates that 57 percent of female deaths were perpetrated by their partners and were more likely to be caused by intimate partners. Domestic violence causes physical injuries, anxiety, substance abuse, depression, and impairing social skills. Physical abuse increases the risk of criminal offending, and a large number of women in prison have experienced abuse in their lifetime. Domestic violence is also associated with homelessness among women and their children. This occurs when they try to escape violence from their homes, which may result in disruption of social network as well as children’s schooling, and social networks. In most cases, women who have experienced domestic violence are more likely to experience financial difficulties. Domestic violence is also associated with child physical, sexual and emotional abuse, which can be linked with a range of physical, psychological and emotional consequences. There is evidence that observing other being maltreated by someone close to the child is an important factor in the intergenerational transmission of violence. Many victims also perceive the emotional impacts of physical abuse such as fear, more than the physical injuries. These effects can extend beyond the period of the domestic violence. However, the measures of prevalence of violence may not reveal full consequences of the abuse. Risk Factors for Domestic Violence There are a number of risk factors that have been associated with domestic violence. These include low academic achievements, unemployment, and social disadvantage. Most of these factors are linked to an increased likelihood of aggressive behavior. Also, the most commonly reported behavior of the perpetrator were drinking and controlling behavior. Domestic violence is prevalent in families with low levels of education or access to information. Due to the traditional culture of Cambodia and code of conduct for women, domestic crimes are rarely punished, and this has caused deep suffering among their wives. Due to the lack of information and low education level, women have accepted domestic violence. As a result, families are destroyed in regard to harmony as well as children future Research indicates that the rate of domestic violence increases when the husband is unemployed. According to an extensive report by the National Institute of Justice, the woman violence is 4.7 percent when the male partner is employed. When the male partner experiences a period of unemployment the rate increases to 7.5 percent. If the period of unemployment increases, the rates rise to 12.3 per cent. Victims of Domestic Violence The prevalence, severity of domestic violence, capacity to leave a violent marriage differs across various cultures, with particular communities are more vulnerable than others.. Domestic violence is more prevalent within certain cultures in the United States such as African American and Americans Indians. In Australia, it is more common in rural areas and some indigenous communities. The violence also differs in socioeconomic and age groups. Research has found that women non-English background like African Americans have higher levels of domestic violence. Moreover, there is less likelihood to report incidents of domestic violence to the police because of the perception that these services would not respond appropriately. However, there are other factors that may prevent these victims from accessing these services. Lack of culturally sensitive translator, is one of these hindrances. Some victims who are immigrant may be limited, especially where the perpetrator is a citizen. Women with a physical disability are more likely to experience violence compared to women without disability. Similarly, violence is more severe and may last for longer periods of time. Several studies have indicated that women with physical disabilities do not seek assistance in case of domestic violence. Also, they have limited access to support and are more unlikely to leave a violent relationship. Research indicates the women are at increased risk of domestic violence during pregnancy. In addition, the frequency of violence is higher among pregnant women, and increases the rate of psychological abuse which had been previously abused. The risks are higher for pregnant women with low levels of education and unwanted pregnancies. Impacts of abuse while pregnant include stress, baby’s health, alcohol and drug use. Attitudes toward Violence Strategies should be developed to influence the community attitudes towards violence against women. It is evident that some men engage in violence against women, particularly if they have negative attitudes towards women. Also, there are traditional gender roles that legitimize violence as a way of resolving conflicts. These violence supporting characters are common among males who demonstrate low levels of support for gender equality. Conclusion Different cultures view domestic violence differently. However, the main factors associated with higher cases of domestic violence include low level of education and unemployment. Several researchers have indicated that women are more likely to become victims of domestic violence than men. Additionally, the women are less capable of leaving a violent relationship, depending on English language abilities, pregnancy and physical disability. References Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006. Personal safety survey, Australia 2005. ABS cat. no. 4906.0. Canberra: ABS Kolbo, J.R., Blakeley, E.H., and Engelman, D. (1996). Children who witness domestic violence: A review of the empirical literature. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.11 (2), 281. Rennison, C. (2001). Violent victimization and race, 1993-98. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report (NCJ Publications #, NCJ176354). Washington, D. C.: U. S. Department of Justice. Oxfam. (1999). Plates in a Basket Will Rattle: Domestic Violence in Cambodia. Accessed 12 February 2015. Read More