Domestic Violence Is Everyones' Problem

Cycle of domestic violence

The domestic violence problem can probably be best described by the words of our President in his proclamation recognizing the month of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month:

"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.

Reasons Victims Stay In An Abusive Relationship

Domestic violence in the workplace.

Whether it is easier to leave a violent relationship or stay in the violence is a very complex issue that will never be as easily resolved as the subject may appear. One of the major problems in the entire domestic violence issue is the general public's lack of understanding and therefore, it is oftentimes difficult for anyone to understand why the victims of violent behavior don't just leave.

According to a National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) fact sheet, 85% of domestic violence victims are women.  The University of California (UCLA) Counseling Center outlines several reasons why abuse victims stay in violent relationships, including:

Understanding Victims Of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence shatters lives.

If you have ever had a friend or loved one who is or was a victim of domestic violence, there must have been times when you were totally baffled. First of all, you couldn't understand how a man could be so cold and mean as to beat up on a woman and you certainly couldn't understand why she stayed in that violent environment.

Before we get involved in trying to understand the victim of domestic violence, we must first understand who the victims are.