Intimate-Partner Violence
Intimate-Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, avoidable public health concern that affects the majority of American families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define IPV as “abuse that occurs between two people in a close relationship.” Intimate partner refers to a former or current spouse and a dating partner (“Intimate Violence,” 2014). Intimate violence grows out of inequality within marriage (and other intimate relationships modeled on marriage) and, reinforces male power and female subordination within the home.
Custody issues normally arise in cases of intimate domestic violence (McClennen, 2010). Under the law, victims of such violence and their children have access to protection. The custody of the children may be granted to the mother. In some cases, the courts may decide that the spouses should share the children’s custody. In Jelusa-Nicolai’s case, the judge determining their divorce case awarded the couple joint custody of their children.
Additionally, retaliatory attacks may occur after one of the partners in such a relationship has filed a divorce (McClennen, 2010). Retaliatory attacks often result from psychological stresses associated with divorce. The offenders often threaten women who seek protective orders from the courts. Owing to anger from the divorce, the offenders may kidnap, seriously injure, or even kill a woman. However, in some violent relationships, women do not seek help or intervention because they fear retaliation. Jelusa-Nicolai similarly faced retaliatory attacks a few days before the final hearing of the case where she sought sole custody of the children. From the attack, it was evident that the former spouse the intentions of killing her.
David Larsen, Jelusai’s spouse, started showing early sign of a violent man during their honeymoon in Hawaii. During the honeymoon, Larsen hit her several times in the head after having a minor lover’s quarrel. Initially, she thought it was a minor problem that would end but she later realized Larsen was a naturally violent man (“Woman Beaten,” 2004).
Tackling domestic violence has proved difficult since many victims fail to report the oppression to law enforcers. In cases where history of such violence exists, and the enforcers are aware (like the Jelusa-Nicolai case), law enforcers should monitor the behavior of such offenders, either by involving them in community or probation programs. Preventing IPV needs reaching a concise understanding of the relationship, individual and societal factors, and, initiating change in society, family and individuals.
References
Intimate Partner Violence. (2014, May 5). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 11, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html?s_cid=fb_vv 487
McClennen, J. C. (2010). Social work and family violence: theories, assessment, and intervention. New York, NY: Springer.
Woman Beaten, Left for Dead by Ex-Husband. (2004, July 23). ABC News. Retrieved June 14, 2014, from http://abcnews.go.com/2020/ story?id=124252&page=1
