Duncan 1 Importance of domestic violence There are 1,300 calls a day and 570,000 calls a year about domestic

violence. This crime has a high rate of

repeated victimization. Most women leave their abusive relationship because they fear their abusive spouse may kill them. Although, most women stay with their abusive partner 25% of women doesnt live in the same home as their partner who abuse them. Facts have shown that 2 women are killed a week and 40% are a homicide victim of domestic violence. Abuse takes place in every area of the world, and thousands of incidents occur every year. According to researchers, if someone grows up in an abusive home, it is more than likely he or she will become in their lifetime. (Walby & Allen) Types of domestic violence There are many types of domestic violence such as physical, emotional, and sexual violence. Physical abuse is when someone causes physical injury such as punching, kicking or stabbing. Physical violence happens when an aggressor intentionally resorts to violence to intimidate the victim. The three forms of physical violence are assault, homicide and suicide. Although people may think that physical abuse is just hitting someone, it also

Duncan 2 involves trying to persuade someone to become violent. Physical abuse is taken very seriously and can lead to Criminal charges. When someone feels that they are being physically abused in any sort of way, they can go to the police to seek help. Emotional abuse is attempting to undermine a victims sensibility. This is basically bullying, insulting or criticizing someone. Also, its the effects of a person behavior. Emotional abuse mainly deals with body language and the feelings that someone feels inside. This is shown when a person rolls their eyes, sigh, change the tone of their voice or hunch their shoulders. There are tons of ways a person can be emotionally abusive. Physical and emotional abuse has many similarities be cause they both involve some sort of abusive actions. Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse deals with someone blaming their self and thinking they are the problem. Sexual abuse is forcing sexual contact without permission. This is known as rape. A common cause of rape is problems with the need and wants from a spouse. A rapist usually turn to others to receive these needs and wants. Sex predators more than likely experienced some sort of sexual or physical abuse in their lifetime and have never

Duncan 3 received any help. Sex predators pick their victims by who looks vulnerable or has come from a less fortunate family. Facts have shown that one out of three girls and 1 out of seven boys will experience sexual abuse before they reach the age of eighteen. Half of sexual abuse victims never speak up until a year of the sexual assault. Some victims feel that it was their fault they were raped and try to hide the situation and wish that it would go away. I just want to sleep. A coma would be nice. Or amnesia. Anything, just to get rid of this, these thoughts, whispers in my mind. Did he rape my head, too? (Laurie Anderson) When domestic violence become law Many people wonder how serious domestic violence has to be before it becomes a felony. The violence doesnt have to always be physical; it can also be the threat of physical harm. This criminal charge can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony. When the person is convicted, the penalty varies on the seriousness of the injury caused to the victim. If a defendant is charged with a felony, they may serve a long-term prison sentence and if they are charged with a misdemeanor they may serve a short-term prison sentence. Sometimes a misdemeanor may simply consist

Duncan 4 of paying a fine. Domestic violence cases that have minor or o injuries are mainly charged with a misdemeanor. Penalties that come with a misdemeanor may be probation, fines or mandatory treatment programs. Why domestic violence is ok Many people have argued that domestic violence isnt right; while some people have argued that domestic violence is not a crime and is used for a good purpose. They say its a good thing for women to be abused by their husbands to show whose the man in the home and makes the decisions. Also, they feel that its not the abusers fault and blame it on their past experience of domestic violence. Men as well as women are victims of domestic violence, but not in equal numbers. The Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief reports that in 2001, 85% of physical partner assaults were committed against women. The police often ignore men assaulted by their partners. In the males perspective, it is stated that domestic violence is often seen as females being the victim and the male being the attacker. Facts have shown that this isnt true due to 40% of men being victims to domestic violence.

Duncan 5 Resources available to victims There are many organizations specialized for victims of domestic violence and support them escaping their abusive relationships. Many victims may feel alone but with all of the available resources they can get as much assistance as needed to feel protected. Thousands of shelters in the United States are available. They provide safety, counseling and legal help. Theres also a hotline & 911 emergencies incase someone feels they are in danger. New Orleans family justice center is a comprehensive onstop center for victims of the family violence and their children. This program co-located other programs to provide law enforcement and healthcare services. Another organization is the Battered Womens shelter, which offers temporary living conditions. Although women are required to pay for this program it offers many opportunities. Also women receive counseling and great assistance. Why victims stay in abusive relationships Researchers have found that abusers manipulate victims to stay in a relationship with them. Victims are often afraid to leave the abusive relationship because they

Duncan 6 fear that their spouse may kill them. When a victim leaves the abusive spouse, he or she increases their chance of being murdered. Batters scheme the victims into thinking that the abuse is their fault. This mindset leads the victims to think since they are the cause of the violence they can stop it as well. Victims hope that the violence stop, but are sometimes willing to keep a relationship with the abusive partner. Effects from violence Those who experience domestic violence suffer from mental and physical problems, which are serious conditions. Domestic violence can cause a person to become isolated, unemployed and depressed. Being abused can change a persons behavior and have a huge impact on their life. If they dont receive some sort of assistance, they could possibly stay in a state of depression for the rest of their life. Prevention of domestic violence Facts show that early intervention efforts are very effective in decreasing domestic violence behavior. Theres

Duncan 7 a program called the Ketchikan Wellness Coalition, which works to increase systems to address domestic violence. Early intervention may include school-based programs that teach students about domestic violence and other conflict-resolution skills, and public education campaigns to strengthen awareness of the harms of domestic violence and of services available to victims. Another way to eliminate domestic violence is avoiding violent people. Signs of an abuser appear early in a relationship. Some signs may be the partners insisting on moving very quickly into a relationship, insist that you stop spending time with your friends, do not take responsibility for their actions and blame others for everything that goes wrong. When a person notices these characteristics, its in their best interest to end the relationship before it starts. This is a great way someone can protect their self as well as dodging an abusive relationship.

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Work Cited

"Physical Violence." Physical Violence. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. Schofield, Jack. "Searching times." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 08 July 2004. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. "Anger in the Age of Entitlement." Emotional Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. "Life Challenges." Sexual Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. "What Causes Sexual Abuse of a Child?" - Sexual Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. "How Common Is Sexual Abuse?" Joshorg. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. "Domestic Violence Charges and Sentencing." Dallas DWI Lawyer. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.