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| Cycle of domestic violence |
"Domestic violence spills over into schools and places of work; and it affects people from every walk of life. Though abuse may occur in the seclusion of a private residence, its effects scar the face of our Nation". (George W. Bush, President of the United States)
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is the power and control of one partner over another in a dating, marital or live-in relationship. Domestic violence may begin with subtle forms of abuse like, economic entrapment, psychological pressures or physical isolation, then oftentimes escalates into a pattern of violent behavior which may consist of repeated, severe beatings. Domestic violence is not a marital conflict, a lover's quarrel or a private family matter.Who are the victims of domestic violence?
According to the U. S. Department of Justice, 95% of domestic violence victims in America are women, although men may also be victims.Who are domestic violence abusers?
As with the victims, individuals who commit violent acts against their partners fall into no specific categories. The abusers come from all class backgrounds, races, religions and walks of life. The abuser may be unemployed or a highly paid professional. The abuser may be a good provider, an upstanding member of his community and a respected member of his church's congregation.How often does domestic violence occur?
Surveys from the United States and Canada indicate that domestic violence occurs in 28% of all marriages. Most researches feel that this number is too low, since domestic violence remains the most under reported crime in the United States. According to a National Violence Against Women Survey, a partner or date physically assaults 22% of women during their lifetime and nearly 5.3 million partner victimizations occur each year among U. S. women ages 18 and older, resulting in 2 million injuries and 1,300 deaths.What are the types of domestic violence?
- Physical assault - including pushing, shoving, restraining, hitting or kicking
- Sexual assault - when one partner forces sexual acts that are unwanted or declined by the other partner
- Psychological assault - isolation, forced financial dependence, verbal abuse, threats, and intimidation
- Attacks against property and/or pets - destruction of personal property or killing or abusing beloved pets
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| Every neighborhood watch program should include domestic violence. |
What are we doing to stop domestic violence?
There is a National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and each state within the United States has its own state coalition, all of who say their goal is to end domestic violence. The President of the United States has proclaimed the month of October as a time to recognize and fight domestic violence. The Violence Against Women Act has been signed into law. Millions and millions of dollars are spent each year in the fight against domestic violence, but the number of women who experience physical, sexual and emotional abuse continues to increase.Statistics show that 50% of all women with children who are homeless and on the streets are there due to violence in their own homes. More and more children are experiencing the tragic event of witnessing their mothers being murdered by their fathers or a boyfriend.
So, why aren't we stopping domestic violence?
The answer is quite simple really; we just don't know how to deal with domestic violence. When a state makes laws to punish those who do not properly care for a dog or a cat and ignores how some men batter, rape and murder their wives or girlfriends, there's just something wrong with their priorities.Most state laws place the decision on whether to arrest or not arrest a person involved in a domestic disturbance call solely on the shoulders of the responding officer. This, in some cases, means that if the officer doesn't see blood all over the house, he may feel than an arrest isn't necessary.
I have personally read accounts where the accused abuser wasn't arrested because he had left the scene before the police arrived. There were no accounts of the police pursuing these people for questioning.
Many state laws addressing domestic violence are very complex and sometimes very vague, even in the states definition of domestic violence. Most states allow accused abusers to post bail, which means that they are allowed to return home to their victims within just a couple of hours.
Many domestic violence shelters are small and oftentimes have no room for any more victims of domestic violence and even when there is room there are no programs for emotional or psychological counseling or any type of job placement service.
We aren't stopping domestic violence because we are throwing money at the problem and not the solution. Instead of making laws that are more strict, more focused and provide actual penalties for battering women; our goal seems to be to just build more shelters. That money could be better spent in enforcing those new laws.
The proper place for a woman and her children is in their home and not on the streets or in some cramped shelter; and when we understand that simple concept we will remove the obstacle that is preventing them from doing that and we will begin to bring domestic violence under control.
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If you are a business owner and haven't adopted any particular cause or campaign, why not join BWC Marketing and get involved in promoting domestic violence awareness? When businesses work together, great things can happen. The only way we can help stop domestic violence is to talk about it. There is someone in your community who is living in a violent relationship. Please join me on LinkedIn and Google+.--Ken
Other domestic violence information |
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