Domestic violence is also known as domestic abuse, intimate partner abuse and intimate partner violence. It is defined as a type of maltreatment that occurs in a romantic relationship . However, it is not isolated only between heterosexual relationships but also among homosexual partners. In fact, there are studies which suggest that the statistics of domestic violence among homosexual relationship continues to exist because majority of homosexuals who are victims of domestic abuse are personally restrained by their fear of being further humiliated or condemned. In the early part of 2014, as documented by MedicineNet.com approximately 2 million women and 800,000 men . Women are usually the victims of domestic violence because of the stereotype that women are generally weak and vulnerable. Nevertheless, there had also been documented reports showing that men have also been victims of spousal abuse or domestic violence.
While domestic violence is perceived as a social issue, it has also been reported to be one of public health’s major predicament . This is made so because reports have shown that domestic violence is among the most recorded cases in a number of emergency rooms in the different healthcare facilities in the United States. In addition, domestic violence is also associated with a billion dollar healthcare cost over the past decades. Many believe that the growing incidence of domestic violence can be associated with poorly developed and implemented policies that covers this kind of maltreatment.
Intimate partner violence can happen to anyone. It is not being isolated to a particular age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion and socio-economic status. In fact, domestic violence can happen to any person. However, there had been severally identified risk factors of domestic violence. These risk factors include poverty, the lack of proper education, a product of domestic violence, male hegemonic principle and substance abuse.
Domestic violence is not something new. In fact, it has been existing for as long as civilized society has started forming relationships. Thus, it extends to nations, cultures and geographic boundaries. One unusual law in reference to domestic violence is the “Rule of Thumb” recognized by the Common Law of England. This law allows men to heat their wives provided that the stick that will be use by the husbands are not wider that the diameter of his thumb (Burnett, 2014).
Hospitals believed that there is in fact, more to those who openly admit to domestic violence. While there is only 20% of women who admits to being a victim of domestic violence, hospital documentations reveal otherwise. This is precisely the reason why Medline author Lynn Barkely Burnett refers to domestic violence as an old epidemic. In the study entitled "Resources for Battering Intervention and Prevention Programs in Texas to Mitigate Risk Factors Which Increase the Likelihood of Participant Dropout“, the author said argued that 23% of women who sought medical attention in Texas alone are believed to be victims of domestic violence despite the lack of confirmation from the victims (Helton, 2011). This assumption was generated because the same patients who reported injury but denied being victims of domestic violence has sought medical help approximately 6 to 10 times for the same issue (p.351). Albert Roberts, on the other hand, said that 1 in 25 women actually suffers from battering (2007).
There are two stakeholders in domestic violence that requires attention and treatment. These include the victim and the abuser. The primary responsibility of the hospital is towards the victim or the patient. The hospital and its staff should ensure the safety and security of the victim. The next is to treat the patient for any emotional and psychological implications of the abuse. For the abuser, there is the need to let the abuser know of the legal ramifications of his or her action and should the abuser use substances treatment for substance abuse is also recommended.
There are two stakeholders in domestic violence that requires attention and treatment. These include the victim and the abuser. The primary responsibility of the hospital is towards the victim or the patient. The hospital and its staff should ensure the safety and security of the victim. The next is to treat the patient for any emotional and psychological implications of the abuse. For the abuser, there is the need to let the abuser know of the legal ramifications of his or her action and should the abuser use substances treatment for substance abuse is also recommended.
The prognosis for domestic violence in not very inviting. In fact, many physicians have already said that unless domestic violence is immediately treated, it might result to serious ramifications which might have severe implications to a person’s emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing.
While there are exiting laws to curve domestic violence, it still proves insufficient. In lieu with this, the following pointers are necessary: (1) Provide economic opportunity, (2) Organized community programs for youth and families, (3) a school environment that promotes prevention of abusiveness in any relationship and (4) adult family members who are nurturing and who provide consistent, structured support .
References
Barkley-Burnett, L. (2014, October 7). Domestic Violence. Retrieved from Medline Website: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/805546-overview
Dryden-Edwards, R. (2014, February 23). Domestic Violence. Retrieved from MedicineNet.com : http://www.medicinenet.com/domestic_violence/article.htm
Helton, P. (2011). "Resources for Battering Intervention and Prevention Programs in Texas to Mitigate Risk Factors Which Increase the Likelihood of Participant Dropout". San Marcos, Texas: Texas State University-San Marcos.
Markowitz, S. (2000). The Price of Alcohol, Wife Abuse, and Husband Abuse. Southern Economic Journal, 279–303.
Roberts, A. (2007). Battered Women and their Families: Intervention Strategies and Treatment Programs. New York: Springer.
