DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic Violence

Abstract

Since the late 1970s, attention paid to domestic violence has increased exponentially. It is now one of the types of victimization garnering the most policy and research attention. Initially, domestic violence was defined narrowly as physical violence perpetrated by husbands against their wives. This definition has evolved in the last 30 years as people have come to realize that violence exists in all kinds of romantic relationships. Here, domestic violence is defined broadly as abuse perpetrated by one romantic partner (or ex-partner) against another. Other terms used to characterize abuse in a romantic relationship are intimate partner violence, spouse abuse, battering, and dating violence. This entry details how common domestic violence is, the kinds of abuse victims experience, risk factors for abuse, and how abuse impacts victims, their children, and the community.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion1

Impact on Children3

Impact of Physical Abuse4

Impact of Sexual Abuse4

Impact of Neglect5

Impact of Emotional Neglect6

Impact of Exposure to Family Violence6

Mediating Factors6

Social and Political Implication7

Ethical implications7

Law against Domestic Violence8

Action Plan9

Risks of not implementing the action plan11

Conclusion12

References13

Domestic Violence

Introduction

The term “domestic violence” implies an act of violence between adult intimate partners. The term has been defined more thoroughly from one clinical source as “a pattern of assaultive and coercive behavior, including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion, that adults and adolescents use against their intimate partners”. Domestic violence is perhaps best characterized as a continuum of behavior ranging from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse to economic (i.e., withholding money and resources) and social abuse (i.e., isolation and control of relationships) (DeMaris, Benson, Fox, Hill &Wyk 2003).

Yearly psychological estimates of domestic violence are taken from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), an annual national survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2008, the NCVS estimated that there were 593,100 incidents (69,100 against men and 504,980 against women) of violent victimization by an intimate partner in the United States, which translates to an annual incidence rate of less than 1 victimization per 1,000 men age 12 and older and 4 victimizations per 1,000 women age 12 and older. The National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) was a one-time national survey focused on physical violence, sexual assault, stalking, and threats of violence (DeMaris, Benson, Fox, Hill &Wyk 2003).

Discussion

According to Family Violence Prevention Fund, (p. 1), “for years, child welfare workers and domestic violence advocates have noted that child abuse and domestic violence—together referred to as family violence—often occur in the same family” (DeMaris, Benson, Fox, Hill &Wyk 2003). Domestic violence has serious consequences for victims and their children. It is well documented that the presence of violence against women in a household or society corresponds with an increased likelihood that children are also victims of violence, either directly or indirectly. Preschool-aged children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to exhibit the following patterns than their peers: behavior problems, social difficulties, posttraumatic stress syndrome, greater trouble developing empathy, and less-developed verbal skills (DeMaris, Benson, Fox, Hill &Wyk 2003). In children under 3 years of age who have witnessed ...