Domestic Violence – Natalie Ruiz
Introduction
Domestic violence is a very serious social issue because it can affect anyone. Domestic violence is an issue that not many people talk about because it is such a personal issue that makes people feel very alone and afraid to share their abuse. Most people think that domestic violence only happens to females, but it can happen to anyone, both male and female.
Domestic violence is an issue that many people go through alone and in silence. Everybody deserves to feel safe within their relationship.
The Issue
Domestic violence not only affects my community, but all communities. Domestic violence is also called intimate partner violence (IPV), relationship abuse, or domestic abuse. The reason that domestic violence is such an important issue is because of how it is a learned cycle. When intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs within a family household, children see this and believe that is an ordinary, regular relationship. They then end up displaying the same behaviors and actions as the ones of the abuser. This is how the cycle of domestic violence continues and becomes a generational issue.
What is Domestic violence?
Domestic violence can occur within an intimate relationship where one person dominates and takes control over the other person (14). The abuser in the relationship can use shame, guilt, fear, and intimidation to take control. Domestic violence can occur within heterosexual and same sex relationships. Also, within any age ranges, ethnicities, and economic statuses. In addition, males and females can both become victims to domestic violence, but females most frequently fall victims to domestic violence. Domestic violence comes in many forms, it can be threats, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, and violence.
The image below is the power & control wheel. This wheel describes what happens within an abusive relationship. This wheel also shows both physical and sexual violence and how an abuser uses different forms of manipulation to take advantage of their partner.
Statistics of domestic violence
- 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.(8)
- Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime.(8)
- Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.(9)
How is COVID-19 making domestic violence numbers rise?
Due to the stay at home mandates, victims are forced to stay at home with their abusers with no escape. Before the pandemic outbreak, most domestic violence victims were able to escape their abusers by going to work, dropping off the kids, going to family outings, and going to church. Many people are saying that victims are “trapped with their abusers” during this unfortunate time in the world(3). Domestic violence often occurs when partners and families are together, like for the holidays. In this case, domestic violence has risen due to the stay at home mandate. This is why it is hard for victims to get away because maybe they are out of a job and have to stay home with their abuser or vice versa. According to The New York Times, the domestic violence hotlines have been lighting up numerous reports of abuse (4). Many victims call the police for help and are left hopeless because they are told that they can receive help after the crisis is over. Also, for victims stuck with their abusers, leaving becomes too risky for them because the risk of infection is very high. Not to add that finding a new place and having enough money to survive during this pandemic is pretty much impossible. The government needs to do better and realize that something must be done for domestic violence victims that not only have to worry about this pandemic, but also the abuser that is living in their house.
Rihanna, a domestic violence survivor, donates 2 million to victims stuck in quarantine during the pandemic.
How domestic violence is affecting my community
Domestic violence is affecting my community of Los Angeles County because many people living here are not rich and live day to day. When victims within my community experience domestic violence, they don’t have money to find a new home or money to support children on their own, which is why many stay with their abusers for so long. Many people have lost their jobs and have bills to pay. Also, the schools are closed, so now parents are forced to becomes teachers as well because of the pandemic. As one can imagine this can worsen an already strain relationship, and in some cases lead to a rise in domestic violence. Many people in my community are afraid to reach out to others because it is not a topic that is spoken about often. Now that we are in quarantine, it is much harder for victims to leave these situations when the government has established a stay at home mandate. I’m sure many people in my community would rather not risk being homeless and getting sick, so they stay with their abusers. According to The Los Angeles Times, within these few weeks in quarantine, many women have gone to the hospital due to domestic violence incidents. Due to COVID-19 there is limitations on the services for domestic violence. However, an advocate can be connected to victims through a phone call. As you know face-to-face communication is much more ideal, domestic violence advocates are doing their best to help victims considering what is going on nowadays. Dealing with the pandemic is hard enough already, which is why everybody should still keep in touch with others who may be going through domestic violence, even if it’s just a text message to see how they’re doing.
Why it matters to me
Domestic violence is very important to me because it is such a demeaning and harmful issue that not many people talk about. I have seen what domestic violence can do to families and couples and it is very hard to think that people would do this to others. I cannot even wrap my head around why people would even take the time out of their day to verbally, physically, and mentally abuse “somebody they love”. I also did not understand why victims couldn’t just leave, but after doing research I now understand that abusers manipulate and threaten victims, which forces them to stay. I also now understand why domestic violence is a cycle, and how it is passed down by generations. When children see domestic violence occurring, they believe this is normal and they then regurgitate the same actions. Some victims stay because of threats, others for their children, and some for the mere possibility that their abuser will change. Nonetheless, everybody deserves to feel safe and loved within their relationship. Abusers are not going to change their actions or behaviors towards the victim. Nobody deserves to experience domestic violence.
Here are some warning signs of domestic violence
Here are some Hotlines and resources for Domestic violence
National Hotlines
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Staffed 24 hours a day by trained counselors who can provide crisis assistance and information about shelters, legal advocacy, health care centers, and counseling.
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization. Among its programs, RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline at rainn.org . This nationwide partnership of more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers provides victims of sexual assault with free, confidential services, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. These hotlines have helped over 1.3 million people since RAINN's founding in 1994.
1-800-656-HOPE
LA County - Department of Public Social Services
1-800-978-3600
References
No comments:
Post a Comment