Fighting Violence with Nonviolent Action - Research Paper Example

? Domestic violence: Fighting Violence with Nonviolent Action Domestic violence: Fighting Violence with Nonviolent Action Domestic violence is defined as the act of violent confrontation among household or family members which involves physical harm, fear of harm which is normally physical, or sexual assault. Household or family members include spouses or former spouses that are either formerly or are in dating relationships, those members who either have legal parent-child or biological relationship or those adults who are related by marriage or blood (McCue, 2008). In domestic violence, the batterer mainly uses various series of behaviors and acts of violence which include threats, intimidation, isolation to coerce, psychological abuse and attempts to control the other affected person. Domestic violence is not only in the form of sexual violence and physical but it also includes psychological violence. There are diverse meanings of psychological violence but generally it refers to repetitive and intense degradation which creates isolation and controls the behaviors and actions of the other spouse by means of manipulation or intimidation to the individual detriment. Evidently, domestic violence deeply destroys homes. Recent research has shown that a lot of people use domestic violence to maintain or gain power in order to control the other intimate partner. In order to achieve this, the person uses various acts of manipulation, humiliation, terrorism, intimidation, blame, and wound or injures the other partner (Cefrey, 2009). Consequently, it is paramount to note that domestic violence can be fought against by use of non violent action. Nonviolent action refers to the various means of bringing positive social change mainly without hurting others. The meaning of nonviolent action is simple though it is very difficult to comprehend since the society generally equates strength, power and effectiveness with competition, violence and domination. The society contends that those people who do not destroy their opponents are either insane, cowards or saints. However, acts of retaliation do not conform to effective social change which is fundamental in achieving nonviolent actions. Additionally, for a person to be effective requires that they have a carefully planned list of actions that they should consider to take in order to impact positively on each person they encounter (Johnson & Grant, 2005). In accordance to McCue (2008), violence refers to physically hurting someone, it then follows that nonviolence refers to merely refraining from any physical attacks. Nonviolence actions are unfortunately confused with indifference, self-restraint, cowardice, righteous hostility or even passivity. Violence however takes a number of forms which include passive and active, psychological and physical. It is worthwhile noting that nonviolence actions are also very varied and the aspects of attitude and motivation primarily distinguish both concepts of violence and nonviolence actions as shown in the chart below: Type of Behavior (Motivations/Attitudes) Active/Assertive/Aware (Initiating responsive) Passive/Inattentive (Unresponsive, perhaps timid) Violent (Malice, indifference, fear, hostility, revenge, spite, self-righteous) Molesting or beating a child Waging war Destroying the environment Thwarting or oppressing others Threatening economic ruin or bodily harm Sexually abusing or raping someone Belittle Fatalism Neglecting a child under one’s care Using sex, TV, sex or food to numb oneself Allowing poverty, disease, starvation, sexism, ecological destruction, racism, rape, child abuse, hatred, classism to exist Neutral (Self-preservation, ignorance) Working in order to earn a living Ignoring destruction and injustice Having unemotional sex usually for procreation Being neighborly Eating for nourishment Being solitude Avoiding dangerous situations Collecting interest and dividends Test-tube insemination Restrain from provocation Being unaware of destruction or injustice Nonviolent (Compassion, love, joy, empathy, caring, generosity, concern) Sharing with others Raising a child lovingly Passionate lovemaking to your loved one Supporting others Being a friend Being cooperative with others Resisting destruction and injustice Working to achieve positive change Admiring your loved one Nurturing a child Cuddling your loved one Ways used to win a nonviolent action campaign Conversion This is the ultimate method of ensuring that the partner who has used domestic violence realizes their various errors of ways. This is done by sitting down that partner and having a talk with them and to comprehensively and extensively talk on the actions they are doing which lead to domestic violence. There is also evidence from a recently conducted interview on people who have had instances with domestic violence whereby they were the ones who initiated the violence. The results from the interview showed that nearly 30% of these people were unaware that they were using domestic violence due to their upbringing whereby they had experienced the same in their families where they grew up. These people thought that it was part of life even when they got married and they did exactly what they had seen their parents do. Through conversion, these people will be made aware of their unbecoming behaviors and eventually change for the better (Cefrey, 2009). Acquiescence This method ensures that the person who is initiating domestic violence is converted or is made to tire from their behaviors. Additionally, the person who is the victim of this domestic violence uses good deeds towards that person who is victimizing them and eventually guilt takes over the person who is committing the domestic violence. The good deeds may not have an effect on the short-run but on the long-run; results will be seen whereby the person committing the domestic violence will eventually see no sense of continuing to do their unethical acts and therefore reform to best practices (Knox, 2010). Accommodation In this method, the person who is the victim of domestic violence withdraws all their support from the person victimizing them. The victim lives their own lives as if the other person who is victimizing them does not exist. This creates a situation whereby the person victimizing the other through domestic violence realizes that there is something very wrong and therefore corrective action is taken into consideration. Since domestic violence occurs in family units, there is no one person in this unit who can live without the support of the other and therefore, this method is very effective and efficient in inducing corrective acceptable behavior on the other person who is victimizing the other (Johnson & Grant, 2005). Emotional Coercion In this method, the victim threatens to withdraw emotionally from the person who is victimizing them for them to change to acceptable behavior. This is however done in order to ensure that they are not hurt and neither are they threatened of being hurt. This is done on a polite note and in a very conducive environment in order to drive home the main point (Soileau, 2008). Passive Avoidance of Violence This method strongly advocates for avoidance of any kind of confrontation with the person initiating domestic violence. The person being victimized recognizes that human beings are profoundly influenced in various numerous ways and therefore it is paramount to avoid any instances of violence even though they themselves are victims (Soileau, 2008). A victim of domestic violence should ensure that they always have the emergency number of the law enforces incase the violence escalates further. It is also paramount to note that domestic violence victims could either be male or female. There is always the notion that domestic violence victims are female but research has shown that there is a significant number of male who are victims of domestic violence. In case of any incident of domestic violence, the victim should call the emergency number immediately and also ensure that the write the police report and incident number. They should also ensure that they keep these records properly for future reference. Future reference includes legal matters if the victim decides to take legal action against the person who is victimizing them (Kenney, 2012). Legal action is also one of the ways of fighting violence with nonviolent action in domestic violence. Legal action involves taking legal steps in order to seek compensation or to ensure that the person causing the domestic violence is duly punished using the laws of the land. Domestic violence is illegal and therefore the victims have the liberty to seek for legal action and it is vital for the victim to ensure that they have all the necessary evidence required in order to pursue legal litigation (McCue, 2008). The relevant law enforcers have the capacity to offer free legal advice as well as free legal representation in the various courts just in case the victim does not have the resources. There are family courts where matters of compensation can be handled and they are specifically operation to handle issues which also include domestic violence. The victim should also ensure that they seek the necessary medical attention in order to document any injuries sustained and photographs taken also if it is necessary. This will assist the victim in having conclusive and comprehensive evidence in a court of law (Johnson & Grant, 2005). The other method of fighting violence with nonviolent action in domestic violence is relocation to a safer place which includes a domestic violence shelter. A victim of domestic violence should ensure that they relocate to a place that is safe where they can be given counseling so that they can recover from the devastating effects of domestic violence (Natarajan, 2006). Victims of domestic violence should also seek support from people who care about them. They should confide in someone they trust and explain to them about the abuse. These people maybe their friend, a neighbor, a family member, a staff member working in the support agencies or even a co-worker. These talks should be held in a safe and private safe place. Victims of domestic violence should never face abuse alone (Edwards, 2005). Other ways to ensure that a victim of domestic violence uses non violent ways to fight domestic violence includes having a safety plan. This ensures that they have a comprehensive plan to protect themselves and their children in case they need to vacate and leave quickly. The victim of domestic violence should also conduct a comprehensive study on them to check if they are abusive and they should be very honest with themselves, they should also think of any consequences on any of the steps that they deem fit to undertake and they should finally and get help (Knox, 2010). In conclusion, victims of domestic violence should take the action of filing for a Protective Order in order to effectively keep away the abuser. When a victim of domestic violence decides to get assistance, they should look for an efficient support system which will work for them. They should also look for a family member, a trusted friend, or a professional who can assist in devising a safety plan and also assist in finding a safe place for the victim if necessary. In case the victim files a court case and they are required to appear before it, they should ensure that they are on time and they should carry all the necessary paperwork that is needed in the court case. They should not bring their children along and they should talk to the judge directly and not the respondent. The victim of domestic violence should endeavor to speak the truth as well as be sincere, courteous and speak clearly. Victims of domestic violence should be encouraged to forgive and forget their experiences in order for them to effectively recover and have a chance to move on with their lives. It is paramount to ensure that these victims have a comprehensive comprehension that there better days are ahead of them and they should therefore stay focused on their future. A proper counseling program will assist greatly the victims of domestic violence since they will be able understand that they are still loved and treasured despite their experiences (Kenney, 2012). References Cefrey, H. (2009). Domestic violence. New York, NY: Rosen Pub. Group. Edwards, N. (2005). Talking about domestic violence. London: Chrysalis Children's. Johnson, J. L., & Grant, G. (2005). Domestic violence. Boston: Pearson A and B. Kenney, K. L. (2012). Domestic violence. Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub. Knox, W. B. D. (2010). Domestic violence: Recognizing and stopping the system of abusive behavior. Mosheim, Tenn: Tennessee Pub. House. McCue, M. L. (2008). Domestic violence: A reference handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO. Natarajan, M. (2006). Domestic violence: The five big questions. Burlington, VT: Ashgate. Soileau, M. (2008). Domestic violence: The forgotten victiums. S.l.: Xulon Press. Read More