(Student Name)
Domestic Violence
Introduction
The vice of domestic violence has for a long time been felt across families all over the globe. There are many types of domestic violence, but each depends on individual view. Whatever the nature of violence, all of them seem to share some characteristics; hence the definition given in this paper will cut across all. Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions, or threats of actions that influence another person (Nichols, 2011). This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Violence against women and girls continues to be a global epidemic that kills (Cook, 1994). Although, there is no universally accepted definition of violence against women but many experts agree that control, domination and intimidation pay a central role. Some human rights activists prefer a broad-based definition that includes “structural violence” such as poverty an unequal access to health and education (Henning, 2011).
Whatever the approach taken, violence is a dehumanizing act and research has shown that people who are exposed to violence at an early age develop negative and screwed up perception of society.
Background
Domestic violence usually takes different forms. It can manifest itself through domestic abuse, which gradually develops to physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Beck, (2011), confirms that domestic violence usually starts with verbal abuse and intimidation. The perpetrators of domestic violence normally demonstrate the following qualities. They will more often than not make their partner feel dominated. They will always behave in a manner suggesting that they are the ones who have full control of the relationship. In their tormenting macabre, they will try to make the other partner feel like they have no share or say in the relationship. Most of them try to subject their partners to a feeling of intimidation which sometimes is accompanied with stints of abuse.
The perpetrator gradually tries to break the victim until the victim lacks the self-confidence to deal with the situation one-on-one. This behavior tend to lead into physical violence and then the constant apologies—the flowers, dinners, and little gifts—which are intended to convince the victim that the perpetrator does understand his behavior is unacceptable. Psychologists say that in most cases the perpetrators are fully aware of their actions. Their claim that they understand that their behavior is unacceptable therefore does not hold. The perpetrators choose whom to abuse (Pan et al., 2006). In most cases they direct their abuse to those people closest to them. These can be their spouse, children or even their best friend.
Where and when to abuse the victims also seems to be an intentional process as most culprits of this vice do it in places that are out of the public eye. Most of the times the perpetrators do abuse their partners in scenarios that are advantageous to them. For instance they will shout, heckle, intimidate or even physically abuse one when they want you to do what they want. When one is in public, they often pull a culled up nature hiding their true self. Once they are in seclusion they will normally unleash their terror to the vulnerable victims. Pan et al., (2006), asserted that in most cases if not always, the perpetrators of violence are in control to stop their abusive behavior. This can be manifested in instances, for example where the police appear abruptly or the boss calls. In such cases they will often withdraw and throw a charming face, pretending that nothing has happened.
Once the perpetrator has committed their crime, sometimes the feeling of guilt befalls them. In this case they will throw an apology at their partners. The apology is usually followed by sexual intercourse to seal the deal, which may lead to pregnancy. Beck, (2011), furthermore states that, if the woman is repeatedly pregnant, she has no free will, because now the nurturing side of the victim feels a need to protect. The children become a symbol that if the mother leaves, the children will be left to the perpetrator’s will. The economic trap has been set. The woman is the most affected by this turn of events. Putting the woman on a dependent scale is the epitome of all. This denies them, the power and confidence to fully feel part of the relationship. Vulnerability is increased by this and the woman suffers in silence, just to protect the children.
Why is the topic considered to be a Contemporary Issue?
United Nations (1993), states that the need to develop specific operational definitions has been acknowledged so that research and monitoring can become more specific and have greater cross-cultural applicability. This toll will not be alleviated until families, governments and civil security organizations address the domestic violence issue directly. Pan et al., 2006 also stipulated that domestic violence affects women in all racial, national, social, and economic groups. In their discussion they note that domestic violence is significantly associated with cultural, traditional and social constructs of a people. Domestic violence is a global issue, and hence it is the responsibility of humanitarian organizations, governments and individual conglomerations to put measures to curb it. The sense of urgency of handling this social vice makes it to be considered as one of the contemporary issues emerging and affecting the modern family. It is therefore pertinent that it is handled before it gets out of a curb-able state.
Importance/Prevalence
The understanding and control of domestic violence in families and individuals is the hallmark of reclaiming our society from the detrimental effects that domestic violence poses on our population. The United Nations (1993) clearly states that domestic violence is one of the most prevalent yet relatively hidden and ignored forms of violence against women and girls globally. While reliable statistics are hard to come by, studies estimate that, from country to country. Between twenty and fifty per cent of women have experienced physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner or family member (Danis et al., 2003). The United Nations Development Report, 2008 indicate that women suffer loss of 15-20 years of health living due to domestic violence and abuse. In fact, the World Health Organization as cited in Cook, (1994), reported that 40-70% of female homicide victims were killed by a current or former partner. This is a worrying trend that puts the focus on creating awareness on tackling domestic violence to be of uttermost importance.
Conclusion
We have to admit that domestic violence is a very ruinous act in society and put up mechanisms that will curb its effects. Its recognition as a vice by governments, groups, organizations and individuals will raise awareness; hence the vulnerability of women of being victims of domestic violence will change. Cultural values and social constructs that promote its prevalence need to be addressed and done away with. This will only be effective if admissibility and recognition of domestic violence as a vice around the globe is enhanced. Consequently it will form the platform for a spirited combat to restore the society into a harmonious sanctity.
References
Beck,J., McNiff, Judiann, Clapp, Joshua, Olsen, Shira. A, Avery, Megan. L. (2011). Behaviour Therapy. Ohio: Cengage Learning. Pp. 34-45
Cook, R. (Ed.) (1994). Human Rights of Women: National and International Perspective. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Retrieved from:
http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications
Current Status and Needed Improvement. Washington, D.C: Women, Law and Development International. Retrieved from, Http://www.unicefpublications/pdf
Danis, F. L. (2003). What do we know, what do we need to know. Journal of Social Work Education; 39. (2), :215-224, retrieved from PsychINFO
Henning, Kris, Connor-Smith and Jennifer. (2011). Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol 26(7), 1366-1387.Sourced from PyscINFO
Nichols,Andrea,J. (2011). Feminist Criminology, Vol. 6(2):111-131.From PsychINFO
Pan, A., Daley, S., Rivera, L. M., Williams, K., Lingle, D., & Reznik, V. (2006). Understanding the role of culture in domestic violence: The ahimsa project for safe families. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 8(1), 35-43. doi:10.1007/s10903-006-6340-y
United Nations (1993).Strategies for Confronting Violence: A Resources Manual. New York: United Nations
