DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic Violence



Domestic Violence

Introduction

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 romantic relationship are intimate partner violence, spouse abuse, battering, and dating violence (Hampton 1999, 12 - 45).

Consequences of Domestic Violence

In addition to the obvious physical damage sometimes inflicted by abuse, which can range from bruises to death, the psychological consequences are considerable. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that 9.2 million victims between 1998 and 2002 sustained injuries during an incident of family violence, although only 16.5% of these individuals received medical care for their injuries. Nevertheless, millions of medical personnel treat injuries from family violence annually. Victims of family violence are also at an increased risk for mental health problems, including such issues as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, and so on. Domestic violence can also interfere with a woman's economic potential.

Children who witness abuse in the family suffer from stress, depression, and low self-esteem as well as feelings of powerlessness. They also are at an increased risk for other problematic behaviors, such as substance abuse, running away, and sexual behaviors. As mentioned previously, they have an increased risk of becoming abusers themselves. In fact, research has found that boys who witnessed abuse in the home are seven times more likely to become abusers than those who did not witness domestic violence. Girls exposed to violence in the home are significantly more likely to become victims of dating and/or domestic violence (Gelles 1997, 69 - 99).

Society's Responses

The criminalization of domestic violence did not really occur until the 1970s. Recall that traditionally family violence was viewed as a private family matter. From the 1970s to the present, a number of different approaches have been taken to combat the problem. In general, the problem of family violence has been addressed by the medical profession, the criminal justice system, social service agencies, and state legislatures, as well as by a variety of other public and private ...