Franki Giordano 1

Rhetorical Analysis: Domestic Violence

According to the United Nations Declaration, violence against women includes
any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual
or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or
arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life (United
Nations, 1993). Though my goal is not to just only raise awareness about domestic
violence involving women, men are also victims of domestic violence. Many people
associate domestic violence with women being the target, but that is not the case. Men
are also victims of domestic violence and not offered as much help as women are. TED
talks have several videos regarding personal stories of men, why victims dont leave
and violence against women. Tony Porter touches on men being raised to be men and
not to act like a girl. This is where he puts the blame towards domestic violence. This is
also a reason women are abusive towards men. They are taught to stick up for
themselves and be powerful.
Society tends to forget about domestic violence towards men and this needs to
be addressed. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, no matter what gender,
race, or social status you hold. Domestic violence is used for the purpose of one person
wanting full control over another. It is most common within intimate relationships and
this is why people assume women are the only victims. It becomes a problem and stays
a problem because the victim fears the abuser and doesnt see the problem getting any
better, just worse.

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In the past there have been many projects, walks, and small seminars held to
raise awareness about domestic violence. One in particular that I found while
researching that I really liked was the Pixel Project. According to the pixelproject.net
the Pixel Project is a complete virtual, volunteer-led global 501(c)3 nonprofit
organization whose mission is to raise awareness, funds and volunteer power for the
cause to end violence against women (VAW) using social media, online strategies and
new technologies. Our team of over 50 volunteers is currently scattered across 4
continents, 12 time zones and over 15 cities worldwide, proving that there are no
cultural or social barriers when it comes to this issue. The pixel project is said to be
very successful and they also take donations to help raise awareness. The pixel project
is said to be so successful because their volunteers are in four different continents, over
15 different cities educating people. They also have men contributing to the movement
to show their support.
The focal point of my civic issue is domestic violence is victims not knowing they
are victims and being able to escape the problem. Most times people dont see what is
going on as an issue or think it will just eventually stop. When you love someone you
are blinded by what they are doing to hurt you. I want to address domestic violence and
abuse as the issue it is. I want people to know even the small stuff they dont consider
abuse is abuse. I want people to be aware so it doesnt happen to them and if it is
happening to them to recognize they can get out of the situation (though it may not
seem possible at first.) The pixel project offers 16 tips for preventing and intervening to
stop domestic violence in your community and tip number two is to get your community

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educated! With my project I hope to do that, even if it starts with only my inner circle of
friends, co-workers and classmates.
I will use Burkes theory using identification to address my civic issue. I will
identify with people (most likely not victims) who already play a role in my life. They will
respect and recognize me as trying to persuade them of something and capture their
attention. I will let them know I have been researching about domestic violence all
semester and I am passionate about spreading awareness therefore hoping I make
some impact. I also plan to use ethos, pathos, and logos while speaking to my
audience. When raising awareness to both my co-workers and my classmates in a
public setting, I plan to present myself as qualified to speak on this topic using ethos. I
will also be contributing to logos because all my information about domestic violence will
not just be my knowledge of it but the research Ive conducted. Lastly, I plan to use
pathos appealing to peoples emotions considering how serious domestic violence is.
After my research, this issue really appealed to my emotions, as I hope to do with my
audience.
As previously stated the need for control over someone is what contributes to
domestic violence. According to psychcentral.com Abusers may feel this need to
control their partner because of low self-esteem, extreme jealousy, difficulties in
regulating anger and other strong emotions, or when they feel inferior to the other
partner in education and socioeconomic background. Young children who grow up
watching domestic violence may practice this behavior when they are older because
they think it is okay. Alcohol and drugs also increase the use of domestic violence when
the abuser is angered or heated.

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As with anything, unless brought to our attention we are unaware that there really
is a problem. Even though domestic violence isnt an issue talked about every day on
the news or in the classroom, it does deserve to be acknowledged and recognized. We
often are reminded of it when a big story hits the media such Ray Rice and Adrian
Petersons scandal. Unless we personally know a victim we fail to be aware of the issue
since we dont personally see it. In my opinion that is one of the biggest problems with
this issue and why it is still going on. According to findcounseling.com Nearly one in
every three adult women experiences at least one physical assault by a partner during
adulthood. Approximately four million American women experience a serious assault by
an intimate partner during a 12-month period. According to a 2010 national survey by
the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Justice, in the last 12 months more
men than women were victims of intimate partner physical violence and over 40% of
severe physical violence was directed at men. These facts and numbers prove there is
not a special kind of victim to this civic issue. This means one of our friends can be a
victim, either male or female and we are not aware. Keep in mind these are only
reported numbers. Many of the worst cases go unreported and thats because there is
no one there to help the victim or make them feel like they have back up and support.
The age trend for domestic violence is 16-24, this is why I think college students are the
easiest to educate about it. We are closest to the problem and our voices speak the
loudest. According to nasams.org after more than 20 years of effort, the rate of
domestic violence appears to be declining. According to a recent report published by the
Department of Justice [2000], violence against women by intimate partners fell by 21
percent between 1993 and 1998 from 1.1 million violent incidents to 876,340 incidents.

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My plan at first was to use social media to address the problem and educate
people. Though I will still be using this as a way to use rhetoric when addressing
domestic violence, I found spreading the world at my job would be more effective. We
are constantly raising money for children, organizations, schools, etc. So though I dont
plan to ask for money, one shift before my project is due I will be asking everyone I work
with that day to wear red to show our support for domestic violence. I will be explaining
my project to them as well as educating them on the facts of domestic violence. I hope
this will not only raise awareness within my co-workers but with customers when they
ask why were all wearing red. I also hope my co-workers spread the word with their
friends and family, this way more people can be aware on this terrible issue.

Works Cited

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EXPLAINING THE RECENT DECLINE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (n.d.): n.

pag.Explaining the Recent Decline in Domestic Violence. AMY FARMER and JILL
TIEFENTHALER. Web. 29

Mar. 2015.

Newton, C.J. "Domestic Violence: An Overview." Domestic Violence Statistics:

Prevalence and Trends ~ FindCounseling.com. Find Counseling.com, Feb. 2011.
Web. 22 Mar. 2015.
"Putting Women First." Thirddoc (n.d.): n. pag. Ethical and Safety Recommendations for
Research

on Domestic Violence Against Women. Department of Gender and

Women's Health. Web.

29 Mar. 2015.

"TED Talks on Domestic Violence | Live Your Dream." Live Your Dream.
Liveyourdream.org, 2012. Web. 22 Mar. 2015.
"The Pixel Project's "16 for 16" Campaign." The Pixel Project. The Pixel Project, 2010.
Web. 22 Mar. 2015.
Grohol, John M. "What Causes Domestic Violence?" Psych Central.com.
Psychcentral.com, 30 Jan. 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2015.