Paper Topic:

Domestic Violence

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18 April 2008

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is considered as one of the most serious issues the world has been fighting since ancient times . The worldwide estimate of the United Nations reports that approximately 20 to 50 percent women have been physically abused by a member of the family , most frequently by an intimate partner (Kimmel 1332 . In the United States , domestic violence is also regarded as a significant problem of society that needs to be addressed . The results of

the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS ) conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS ) in 2001 reported nearly 700 ,000 incidents of intimate partner violence , wherein approximately 85 percent of the victims are female (Rennison Meanwhile , there are 2 .3 to 10 million children who are exposed to domestic abuse annually , 70 percent of whom are maltreated as well (Rossman , Hughes , and Rosenberg Fantuzzo and Mohr qtd in Summers 8

Defining Domestic Violence

One of the concerns of researchers when studying domestic violence is the variations in defining the term itself . For instance , the word domestic ' which implies within the household ' may be too broad of a term and may leave out violence that occurs apart from the incidents that take place within the immediate household , such as the abuse involving dating couples (Summers 14 . However , Hester , Pearson , and Harwin attempted to provide a clear definition that can eliminate the differences in interpretations : any violent or abusive behavior (whether physical , sexual , psychological , emotional , verbal , financial etc ) which is used by one person to control and dominate another with whom they have or have had a relationship (qtd in Summers 14 . With this definition , even those whom do not live in the same house but have a relationship in one way or another can be included , such as ex-spouses , unmarried partners , and same-sex partners (Summers 14 Domestic violence has substantial effects in the lives of individuals young children , families , and communities (Domestic Violence Policy

Men and women as Victims of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence does not rule out anyone from becoming a victim Regardless of age , gender and social status , anyone can be victimized Hence , although women have been reported as a primary victim of domestic violence , there are also cases of domestic violence where the victims are men (Summers 15

Many pregnant women suffer from domestic violence . An example of instances of abuse is when husbands do not provide the proper medication needed for their pregnancy . Other cases involve verbal abuse of pregnant women , and some may even involve forced sexual intercourse , resulting in premature labor , child abnormalities , or miscarriage . The absence of concern and care to the expecting wife may also lead to unsuccessful pregnancy . Domestic violence during pregnancy also includes continuous wife beating and infidelity (Mayo Clinic

The idea that men are also victims of domestic violence appears implausible or even impossible for many , due to the seemingly dominant and powerful nature of the former . In addition , women have...

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