The Faces of Domestic Violence



The Faces of Domestic Violence

Introduction

Domestic violence may be defined as a behavioral pattern in any sort of relationship that is taken into action for gaining or maintaining control or power over a close partner. In domestic violence the abuse is of several different faces such as physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, or economic threats of actions or simply actions that persuade another individual (Violence Against Women Act, 1994). This involves all such behaviors that intimidate, frighten, manipulate, terrorize, humiliate, hurt, wound, or inure someone. Domestic violence in any face may happen to any individual especially to women or children of any age, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender. It may also take place to married couples, who live together or who date with each other. The effects of domestic violence may badly affect the individuals from all education levels and every socio-economic background. In this term paper, there will be an extensive discussion on the various faces of domestic violence that what different forms of domestic violence are existed and how such affect the individuals' life.

Discussion

Domestic violence is basically a form of abuse and it is not just restricted to some observable physical violence, but it may also mean criminal coercion, mean endangerment, unlawful imprisonment, and kidnapping, harassment, stalking, and trespassing. Mental illness and alcohol consumption can also be comorbid with this abuse. Perception, awareness, documentation, and definition of domestic violence distinguish broadly from nation to nation, and from time to time.

An Affected Woman of Domestic Violence & Abuse, (Smith, M.A., & Jeanne S., 2013) Retrieved from: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm on April 6th, 2013.

Domestic violence is not an innovative issue but, for many years, it took place at the back of closed doors. It was a not the concern of society that time but just a family matter. Though, this attitude about domestic violence started to alter and finally, in the late 1970, the movement of women rights opened up the doors to create awareness to people about this concept as mostly women are victim of this act. Domestic violence is no longer an act that is legally and socially acceptable. In many states, inclusive of New Jersey, the commitment of this act is against the law and is considered as an offense (White, 2013).

Various Faces of Domestic Violence

All forms of domestic violence or abuse have only one purpose and that is to maintain and gain control over the victim. Many tactics are used by abusers for exerting power and control over their partners or spouses by means of dominance, isolation, threats, humiliation, blame, denial, and intimidation. Various faces of domestic violence are as follows:

Physical

It is an act in which another party is involved in contact with the intention to cause any bodily injury, physical pain or suffering, and direct harm to the body of someone else. Mostly, children become the victim of physical abuses, but adults may also be sufferers. Children that are physically abused are at menace for afterward interpersonal issues including ...