Common Domestic Violence in Today's Society

Common Domestic Violence in Today's Society

One of the most overlooked forms of violence in today's society is domestic violence. Domestic violence is most likely to transpire behind closed doors, which is one of the main reasons why domestic violence is not given that much attention. Until the mid 1980's, domestic violence was thought to be the families problem, a dirty little secret that needed to be dealt with inside the family circle. In most cases, domestic violence is the silent, ugly side of dating and people do not like to speak about it. Domestic violence is becoming more common over the years and there a need for more and more research to help with the ongoing crisis.

Why do men in the United States resort to domestic violence? Domestic violence is normally defined as a crime of assault where the victim is a current or former spouse, parent, child, or any person with whom the defendant has a child in common. The victim can also be a present or former household member, or a person who has or had a dating or engagement relationship with the defendant. (US Legal)

Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another through emotional attack, fear, and intimidation. Domestic violence is assessed by any physical or verbal abuse. This violence could be used against any individual within the family, or even a girlfriend or boyfriend. Physical or verbal abuse from an ex-girlfriend or an ex-boyfriend could also be considered a case of domestic violence. Domestic violence may be the source of a fatal shooting or it could just be as simple as a man telling his wife that she is worthless, while he orders her about using profanity on a regular basis.

Surprisingly enough, domestic violence affects more than just the direct victim. It is a growing, widespread social problem in America. In the majority of all cases, the victim is a spouse or intimate partner. Children that live in a household where domestic violence is common are also affected. Domestic violence not only has short-term effects on the victim, it also has long-term effects. The long-term effect of this violent abuse is usually physical, psychological, and economical.

The primary and immediate focus for most victims is the physical injury, while the emotional and psychological abuse inflicted has a larger impact overall. Depression, which sometimes leads to suicide, is the most traumatic effect of domestic violence and abuse. (Geiger-Brown) Children that live in the violent environment may also fall victim to behavioral or emotional deficiencies, including depression.

Domestic violence can affect anyone. It often includes the threat or use of violence; this violence is a crime. (Representatives) Battering occurs when one person believes he/she is permitted to have power over another. Domestic violence affects people in all social, economic, racial, religious, and ethnic groups; whether the couple is married, divorced, living together, or dating. Violence develops from verbal, physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse. Most domestic violence victims are women who are victimized by men. Disagreements arise occasionally in all relationships, but violence involves every aspect of a relationship. While physical violence is the "enforcer" or the criminal act, other behaviors eat away at the victim's sense of self, self-esteem, and free will. This is very dangerous, especially for women. Studies show that often abusers have a low self-esteem and gain a sense of power by means of humiliating and controlling their victim. (Anderson) Control techniques can include verbal insults, using isolation, blaming, using children as leverage, and threats of suicide are only a few of the ways that an abuser can use to keep control over their victim. (Council)

Statistics

Domestic violence is one of the fastest growing and most serious violent crimes in Utah today. Of the 5,417 clients served by domestic violence shelters in Utah, 2,538 were women, 2,904 were children and 29 were men. In 2004, 23 individuals were murdered in Utah in domestic violence related homicides. In 2003, 25% of all homicides in Utah were domestic violence homicides. In a one year period between July 2003 and July 2004, there were 6,027 allegations of domestic violence related child abuse. (Violence)

Domestic violence is a pattern of assault and coercive behaviors used by adults and adolescents against their intimate partners in current or former married, dating, or cohabiting relationships. It includes psychological, physical, and sexual attacks. Domestic violence is a cultured behavior through familiarity, observation, family, culture, and communities.

Men who are the abusers in more than 95 percent of all reported cases usually find scapegoat for their behavior. Domestic violence is not caused by one's genetics, illness, anger, stress, alcohol, drugs, behavior of the victim, or problems in the relationship. There are many myths related to