Domestic Violence

Research 
Every minute, twenty people are victims of intimate partners violence. “Women worldwide ages 15 to 44 are more likely to die or be maimed as a result of domestic violence than as a consequence of war, cancer, malaria and traffic accidents combined,” stated Nicholas Kristof in an article in The New York Times. Yet, the issue of domestic violence is completely overlooked and is one of the most underreported crimes. 

Domestic violence is any form of violence or aggressive behavior in any relationship in order to control the other person in that relationship. There are many different forms of domestic violence and it can be from someone close to you other than just a spouse. Some examples could be physical, verbal, sexual, economic, religious, psychological, or emotional abuse, also including threats and stalking. 

This is an important issue that many people need to learn about because it isn’t just a certain group of people who experience this, it can happen to anyone from any religion, race, gender, culture or age. This can happen to you or to anyone you might know, for example, a friend, family member, neighbor, someone you work with, etc. It is usually between spouses but anyone can be a victim of domestic violence. It can be between an intimate partner, even in same-sex marriages, also from family members such as child abuse or abuse of elders.

There are many horrible effects that come out of violent relationships. Victims can experience financial hardships, physical disabilities, health problems, mental illness, etc. In the situations where it is abuse among intimate partners, its not just the victim who is affected. The children living there experiencing this behavior of violence can be psychologically influenced by this type of violence and start acting out at a young age. 

In some cases, domestic violence is mainly used as a sense of power, for men especially. Domestic violence relates to the issue of sexism and how men need to feel manly. Masculinity is a socially constructed idea stating how men are supposed to be portrayed. This relates to the topic of men and women not being seeing as equals. The myth that men are supposed to dominate and having control in the relationship and the women should be obedient and submissive. Society expects men to be powerful, strong, dominant, and in control. These stereotyped ideas of men being better than women are seen through media, peers, and at home. 

Stats

1. Every year, more than 10 million men and women in the US are subjected to Domestic More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the U.S. report having experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. 
   
   
2. Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this adds up to more than 10 million women and men. 
3. Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime. 
4. Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime. 
5. In 15 states, more than 40% of all homicides of women in each state involved intimate partner violence. 
6. 85% of domestic violence victims are female, and 15% are male. 
7. Women with disabilities have a 40% greater risk of intimate partner violence, especially severe violence, than women without disabilities. 
8. 2 in 5 gay or bisexual men will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.
9. Approximately 63% of homeless women have experienced domestic violence in their adult lives. 
10. 28% of families were homeless because of domestic violence. 
11. Nearly half of all women and men in the US will experience psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. 
12. Approximately 5 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year. Children exposed are more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes.
13. Nationally, 50% of batterers who abuse their intimate partners also abuse their children. 
14. Worldwide, men who were exposed to domestic violence as children are 3-4x more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence as adults. 
15. Only 1 out of 3 people who are injured during a domestic violence incident will ever receive medical care for their injuries.
16. Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police. 
17. Men who are victimized are substantially less likely than women to report their situation to the police.

Myths

MYTH: Only women are the victims of domestic violence

FACT: This myth frames all men as perpetrators or abusers. This is not true. Domestic Violence can happen to anyone. Because of gender stereotypes, men aren’t believed to be victims of domestic violence but it happens. We need to bring awareness to men who are victims of domestic violence. Most men don’t seek to get help because people assume that men can protect themselves against women. Because of this, men usually feel blamed, defensive or excluded when the issue of domestic violence is brought up. We need to change this perception and create a space more inclusive for men as well.

MYTH: The victim can just leave the situation, they just choose not to. 

FACT: Most people keep quiet and stay in abusive relationships because they feel like they don’t have support, legally or from family and friends. Abusers exert their control by creating a state where victims experience isolation, lack of financial resources, emotional manipulation, fear, shame, or an obligation to stay with the abuser to protect their children. It is more dangerous for women when they try to leave and they are put at greater risk of being killed. Another reason could be religious because the Catholic church looks down on divorce, which could sometimes be the case of trapping victims of violence in abusive marriages.

MYTH: Victims provoke their partners’ violence.

FACT: The use of violence is never justifiable or acceptable.

MYTH: Domestic abuse is only physical.

FACT: Some people don't know that they are in an abusive relationship because it was never physical, but domestic violence occurs a variety of ways. It can include physical abuse, verbal abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse, emotional withholding, property destruction, stalking, threats, etc.

MYTH: Domestic violence is due to poverty or lack of education.

FACT: It can happen in all levels of society, whether rich or poor.

Solutions

Some solutions that can be implemented throughout a community is raising awareness and changing norms. This will allow people to get a better understanding of how and why domestic violence happens and how it affects the community. From this, it can establish a new standard and help prevent it. This also helps address the denial and isolation that surrounds domestic violence. There are resources for institutions and services for victims of domestic violence but it takes more to generate real change. Families and communities play a crucial role in preventing domestic violence. Studies show that abused women turn to people closest to them first before reaching out to any service or shelter. They also usually turn to the police, courts, and child protection agencies last.  

1 in 4 women are victims of severe violence by an intimate partner in their lifetimes, but we need to also take into account that there are still so many violent relationships that happen behind closed doors that aren't ever reported. To prevent the issue of domestic violence we need to spread more awareness, we must end the silence, give support to those who need it, create more resources, medical help and safe spaces like women shelters, and more police understanding. We need the police to take these cases more seriously and make it a priority before it is too late and becomes a murder investigation.

Why this is important to me: 

I believe domestic violence is the lowest form of human behavior. Domestic violence is a subject that is not discussed and many cases go unrecognized. Victims of domestic violence may not come out about the abuse because of embarrassment or humiliation or fear that they will be blamed for the abuse. We need to end these assumptions and create a safe space. I want to help make domestic violence visible, defining it as a significant social issue becuase failing to acknowledge this issue will only leave more people in danger.

Statements:

Jose Robles: Family should be the sacred sanctum we all strive to protect.  For someone to commit domestic violence is unthinkable, as that means that person is committing an act against a spouse or a family member. The person that does that should be incarcerated for the rest of their lives.

Alyssa Ramirez: “My sister was sexually assaulted by a man who refused to leave her apartment. When she recently told me of her experience, I felt overcome with hate and sadness. I felt like I couldn’t help her and I didn’t have the proper knowledge or tools to make her feel better. This kind of situation can happen to anyone, anywhere and it’s never talked about like it should be. My sister was in her own home and it still happened to her.”

Issac Montanez: Let it be known that this has been rewritten with less profanity due to the individuals thoughts on the matter “My views on domestic violence are that it is a terrible thing that can occur in some families and anyone  who could ever purposely hurt or abuse someone they “care” about should be arrested.”

“20 Alarming Domestic Violence Statistics for 2018.” Social Solutions, 11 June 2019, www.socialsolutions.com/blog/domestic-violence-statistics-2018/.

Barger, Christi. 4 Damaging Domestic Violence Myths We Need to Change. 8 Feb. 2019, www.crisistextline.org/blog/domestic-violence-myths.

“Infographic: Domestic Violence Cycle.” Islamic Relief USA, 15 June 2015, irusa.org/infographic-domestic-violence-cycle/.

Kristof, Nicholas. “To End the Abuse, She Grabbed a Knife.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 March. 2014.

Tillet, Salamishah and Shifman, Pamela. “To Stop Violence, Start at Home.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 3 Feb. 2015.

Vagianos, Alanna. “30 Shocking Domestic Violence Statistics That Remind Us It's An Epidemic.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 23 Oct. 2014.

Verrelli, Stefano, and C., Eileen. “Are today's standards for being a 'real man' leading to violence against women?” The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2017,