Domestic Violence

“Each year an estimated 2 million to 4 million woman in the Untied States are abused by their male partners. Many of them are severely physically assaulted, and thousands are killed” (www.mayoclinic.com). Statistics such as these are phenomenal. Domestic abuse appears not only with violence, but it is very prevalent in psychological abuse. Domestic violence is widespread through the United States, mostly due to fear caused by the abuser. The problem is recognized in the United States and much is being done to correct this problem. The statistics of woman and domestic violence are very high .

“Domestic violence is the victimization of a person with whom the abuser has or has had an intimate, romantic or spousal relationship” (Barkley, Lynn, vol. 2, No. 7). Many types of domestic violence are used such as hitting, pushing and shoving. In extreme cases, guns and knives are used as well as sexual assaults. Another form of domestic violence is psychological abuse. An abuser will use humiliation and degradation as a weapon. Men will make their victims feel as if they are worthless. They also leave their victims in a state of helplessness, such as leaving them without money, transportation or any type of communication, such as a telephone. Women are battered by those in which they thought that they could place their trust in. It is a very . Gult 2

frightening fact that domestic abusers are always intimate with their victims, at one time or another. . .

Currently, domestic violence is widespread, and not all cases are reported. Some woman adjust to life with domestic violence. Shame seems to play a large part in why most cases are not reported. Woman have been convinced by the abuser that the violence in all their fault. Also, many woman have lost their self esteem and believe all of the humiliating words that have they heard from the abuser. Another reason that woman stay in an abusive relationship is that they are afraid to leave. Many batterers threaten the victims of bodily harm, and they will degrade them in public. Batterers also threaten to take their children from them, stating that they have proof of the victim being an unfit parent. Woman are also afraid that the abuser will also abuse the children if they leave. Woman seem to be in a “catch 22” situation. This is why many of the domestic abuse cases are not reported, and why it is so widespread.

Last, woman need to take advantage of the solutions in which are available today. Shelters for battered woman and their children are quite common. Woman can feel safe in these shelters, mostly due to the secretive locations. Woman don’t have the worry of being hunted down. Also, hotlines are available for woman to call. Trained specialists are available on the hotlines to listen, give advise and also to direct woman to the shelter nearest to them. Woman must also have a plan of their own. All important documents, such as school records and birth certificates should be kept in an easily accessible location. An extra set of car keys should also be handy at a moments notice. This way the victim has in her possession important items to help gain her Gult 3 gain their freedom back. Unfortunately, many cases are unreported and the statistics are much higher than can be imagined. .

In conclusion, domestic violence affects millions and millions of woman in the United States. This problem is very widespread. The severity of this problem is over-

whelming due to the fear in which has been instilled in the victims of domestic abuse.

These fears conquer woman, and their ability to get out of the abusive relationship. So many woman are afraid of what their abuser may do, such as hurting them again. Woman are also threatened by the abuser, that they will take the children from them. Hotlines and shelters are a key instrument in helping victims domestic violence. Next, woman must also take some responsibility on their own by making plans to leave. Also, woman must take the initiative to hide all important documents that will be needed to gain their freedom. The statistics are phenomenal, especially when we recognize the 2 to 4 million woman who report domestic violence each year, with so many more cases not reported.

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