Domestic Violence Research Paper

“Three out of ten women and one out of ten men in the United States experience violence at the hands of an intimate partner- often with devastating costs” (Wilson, Fauci, Goodman 586). This is a shockingly high statistic, and something needs to be done to lower it. Domestic violence is an issue in our nation that occurs too often, and for a variety of reasons. It leaves victims with a lifetime of burden, and something needs to be done to fix this. As domestic violence is a heavy and sorrowful topic, it is often times shameful to talk about it. It is not uncommon that victims of abuse are blamed for what has happened to them. A lot of people think that it is easy to just up and leave the abusive situation, but it is not that simple. There needs to be more awareness and education about this topic in order to prevent and understand it.

What exactly is domestic violence? Violence in relationships occurs when one person feels entitled to power and control over their partner and chooses to use abuse to gain and maintain that control. Some of the causes and associated features of domestic violence include “power, control and dominance, lack of protection by the authorities, nexus of violence and poverty, psychological problems, the influence of alcohol and other substances, and past abusive relationships” (Lowenstein 150). All of these factors contribute to why someone would physically abuse a loved one.

Although every relationship is different, one thing that is common among all abusive relationships is the various tactics that abusers use to gain and maintain power of their partners. Abusers use these tactics to instill fear in their victims, so they can keep control over them (Statistics 1). One of the tactics used is extreme jealousy. Jealousy is a sign of insecurity and lack of trust, but the abuser will say it is out of love. Another tactic is controlling behavior, where one partner controls and makes all the decisions in the relationship. Quick involvement is also another tactic, where the abuser wants commitment or claims that they are in love very early on in the relationship. The causes and tactics of abusers remains constant throughout abusive relationships. Although these elements remain constant in cases of domestic violence, there are varying degrees and purposes that they are used for.

There are two major forms of domestic violence, which both seem to have different effects on victims. The first is termed intimate terrorism. Victims of intimate terrorism are attacked more frequently, and the abuse is far less likely to stop. These victims are more likely to be injured and have longer lasting negative effects on them. Intimate terrorists are usually men and their victims are usually women, but that is not always the case. These types of abusers are considered to be so desperately attached to their partners, that they believe they must engage in violence in order to keep them. The second form of domestic violence is termed situational violence. As stated in the name, the abuse in these cases stems from a tensional situation, where the abuser may become upset and lash out on their victim. Abuse occurs less often in situational violence, and the victims do not face as harsh of effects than those of intimate terrorism. People who engage in situational violence are usually poor communicators who resort to verbal aggression and physical abuse; These are alternatives of being able to communicate effectively through just talking (Lowenstein 149), (Domestic Violence). Both of these forms of abuse are highly unhealthy in relationships, and it impacts the victims greatly.

In domestic violence, there is no such thing as a “typical victim.” This abuse has the possibility to happen to any kind of person, and it leaves them with “devastating personal, family, and social costs” (Wilson Fauci Goodman 586). Moreover, “research evidence demonstrates that domestic abuse is prolific, prolonged, impacts physically and emotionally and economically upon women and, in particular, children over the long term, including well after the victims are safe from the perpetrator” (Lowenstein 152). These effects may be both mental and physical. Effects include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, substance abuse, and other mental health challenges. Many deaths also come from domestic abuse. “It is one of the common causes, directly or indirectly, of female morbidity and mortality across the globe” (Lowenstein 151). The effects of domestic violence are devastating, and very difficult to live with for the rest of your life. Domestic violence does not discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life, and it is sometimes difficult to identify when it is happening.

Lindsay Ann Burke, a resident of Rhode Island was only twenty three years old when she was murdered by her boyfriend at the time. They met by chance at a wedding, and when the abusive warning signs started occurring, Lindsay, like many other victims, did not recognize them. His abusive behaviors were “insidious, occurring slowly, and when she did question them, she believed his excuses and apologies” (Mission). He influenced the way she thought about him. One of the ways he did this was by making her feel sorry for him by telling her about his difficult childhood. Once her friends and family started recognizing the signs of abuse, it was too late. She had support from her friends and family, and she was still murdered. She was never taught about abusive relationships in school. After her death, the principal even apologized to her family for not requiring education about abusive relationships. He was also was uneducated about this topic. What came of Lindsay Ann Burke’s story is the Lindsay Ann Burke Act. The Nebraska Legislature passed this act in 2009, which requires each public school district to create policies and procedures to address teen dating violence. Schools must publish these policies in their school handbooks and share the information with the parents. “Above all, we must understand that abuse CAN happen to ANYONE, just like it did to our Lindsay” (Mission). Education is necessary in preventing and stopping abuse in relationships. The Lindsay Ann Burke Act is a step in the right direction toward stopping domestic violence, but there is more that can be done.

So what else has been, and can be done to prevent domestic violence and help the victims? “Civil protective orders (CPO’s) are the most widely used justice system remedy for intimate partner violence”