Vulnerable Population: Domestic Violence and Minority Women
The United Nations defines violence against women as any act of gender-based violence that results in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering and includes threats of such acts (WHO, 2016). Intimate partner violence (IVP) affects women from all backgrounds. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans. The term "intimate partner violence" describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse (CDC, 2015). However, numerous studies show that minority women experience IPV a much higher rate. African American women experience IPV at a rate 35% higher than that of Caucasian
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1,510 people in the United States died at the hands of a spouse or other intimate partner and 2 million women suffered injuries from IPV (Minority, 2013). Alarming statistics from the Department of Justice show that almost 50% of Native American females have been raped, beaten, or stalked by an intimate partner and that 30% of African American women have been subjected to domestic abuse (Townes, 2013). African American women, suffer violence at rates remarkably higher than any other racial groups in the United States. Generally, African American women experience intimate partner violence at a rate 35% higher than that of Caucasian women, and about 22 times the rate of women of other races. African-American women also experience significantly higher rates of domestic violence than Caucasian women and the number one killer of African American women between the ages of 15 to 34 is homicide at the hands of a current or former intimate partner (American Bar Association, 2016). In a study of African American sexual assault survivors, only 17% reported the assault to police (American Bar Association, 2016). One-third of women subjected to domestic violence seek the help of health professionals, and almost 100% of women agreed that domestic violence should be a focal point of medical examinations. (Townes, 2013)
Violence against women is not a thing
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These goals will enable them to obtain resources and also, to prevent future abuse. Access to health services means the timely use of personal health services to achieve the best health outcomes. This can assist clients, who are subject to or at risk of becoming victims of domestic violence to improve their overall physical, social, and mental health status. This also, enhances quality of life (ODPHP, 2016). From the above it is noted that the goal of enhancing and improving access to health care regardless of socioeconomic status not only provides medical benefits to minority women, but it also gives them a resource that helps them to break free from that cycle of abuse. Also, with the goal of enhancing access to care, an accessory goal is to increase the amount of individuals with health insurance. Health insurance coverage helps patients get into the health care system. Uninsured people are less likely to receive medical care, more likely to die early and more likely to have poor health status (ODPHP, 2016). Minority women in the United States and globally who are subjected to domestic abuse are at a greater risk of an early fatality, mortality and disparities in health care and health promotion. Therefore, as the Healthy People 2020 goal states above, as nurses and healthcare
“Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is defined as a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as economic coercion that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partners” (Peeks-Asa). When it comes to domestic violence many people don’t want to get involved, but if just one person took a stand maybe others would follow and potentially save a life, like the neighbors did in The Day It Happened by Rosario Morales. Domestic violence can happen to anyone at any time, there is no typical victim or perpetrator. The fact that there is no one specific group that domestic violence occurs in more than another, only makes it more difficult to get an accurate representation of just who is being affected by this crime. “Domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate” (Smith and Segal). Domestic violence can have specific victims such as a spouse or domestic partner, a child, or an elder. Domestic violence can affect men as well as women. Some types of domestic violence are physical, verbal or nonverbal, sexual, stalking or cyberstalking, economic or financial, and spiritual.
National data gives us an indication of the severity of this issue. When 1 in 5-woman report being victims of severe physical violence (NISVS, 2010), we must ask ourselves if enough is being done to prevent this from occurring. From a historical point, there has always almost been a distinction from men on woman violence. Based on the disparity of cases reported, male inflicted violence on females is much higher and prevalent. When the perpetrators of DV, and IPV are predominately males, we can no longer dismissed this issue as a cultural, or
Intimate partner violence does not discriminate. The ramifications of domestic violence can lead to serious issues within a family and one’s mental health (Graham-Bermann & Miller-Graff, 2015). Women and men can be abused. When discussing the how the perpetrator’s loved one is affected by intimate partner violence, one must recognize the ways that it impacts men and women.
Overarching research on women of color (African American, Native American, Latina/Hispanic, Pacific Islander American, and Asian American) and the impact of racism and sexism as interrelated constructs on their academic aspirations is limited. A few scholarly pieces that explore racism and sexism as intersecting constructs, primarily focus on understanding the relationship between these isms and the mental health of women of color (DeBlaere & Bertsch, 2013; DeBlaere, Brewster, Bertsch, DeCarlo, Kegel, & Presseau, 2013;Martin, Boadi, Fernandes,Watt, & Robinson-Wood, 2013).More specifically, extant literature suggests one of the major consequences women of color experience in relation to racist and sexist events is psychological distress, which can be understood as concerns including depression, low self-esteem, and self-hatred, among others (King, 2003; Hipolito-Delgado, 2010).
The most notable discovery or key concept behind intimate partner violence with women as victims, would be that the overall rates have seen a general decrease. As found in the National Trends in Intimate Partner Homicide report, "Spousal homicide rates for both women and men have declined between 1974 and 2000" (Bunge, 2002). Many of the authors discussed present different perspecti...
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1998 and 2002: 84% of spouse abuse victims were females, and 86% of victims of dating partner abuse at were female. As a consequence, the racial diversity in US has created an impact on the current policy implementation and programs. This will helps us identify which individuals are reporting the greatest domestic violence rates regarding race, ethnicity, marital status and educational level. By studying the domestic violence abuse rates among races will help to identify which social class is currently being impacted. Action is needed for the destination of funding and development of programs aimed to help the
Domestic Violence is a growing pandemic that influences every facet of our society and is deemed a national crisis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Breiding, Basile, Smith, Black, & Mahendra, 2015). 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience domestic violence during their lifetime (Black et al., 2011). The prevalence of IPV hastens the need for services, and conversely efficient service delivery and adequate access to these services. In 2013, approximately 36% of Virginia homicides were domestic violence related, a 4% increase from 2012. Victim's leaving the intimate partner relationship precipitated 21% of those cases (Office of the Attorney General and Department of Law, 2015). Virtually, means of safety
Kennedy, Bernice R. Domestic Violence: A.k.a. Intimate Partner Violence (ipv). New York: iUniverse, 2013. Print.
The United States Department of Justice reports that women are more likely to be victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence. (Catalano, 2006) It is estimated that two million women a year are victims of physical abuse each year, and that number does not include any other form of intimate partner violence. (Connelly, et al. 2006) Intimate partner violence results in fatalities in thirty percent of all female homicides. (Catalano, 2006) For males, the percentage goes down to five percent. Men and woman ages twenty to thirty-four are at the highest risk for intimate partner violence. Again, both men and women who are married but separated are at higher risk for intimate partner violence. Black and white females are more likely to be victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence. However, white females are more likely to be victims of fatal intimate partner violence. Individuals with a lower income and socioeconomic status are at a greater risk, but females are at a greater risk regardless of income.
Intimate partner violence is still a common issue that affects women from all walks of life. It is an issue that is too often ignored until the violence has become deadly. In the book “Women: Images and Realities a Multicultural Anthology,” chapter seven entitled “Violence Against Women” includes pieces that cover the issue of intimate partner violence. In Michele McKeon’s piece “Understanding Intimate Partner Violence” she states that “In 1994 the Violence Against Women Act was passed, revolutionizing programs, services, and funding for individuals affected by intimate partner violence and their families” (McKeon 497). Yet the revolutionized programs, which McKeon speaks of, haven’t changed the fact that the violence continues and in my opinion, it is not enough to just deal with the aftermath of the violence, the prevention of intimate partner violence is something that society needs to address. In addition, McKeon also states “The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1,181 women were murdered by their intimate partners in 2005; two million women experience injurie...
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a type of abuse that occurs between people who are involved in a close relationship. “Intimate partner” is a term that is used to include both current and former spouses as well as dating partners. IPV exists along a continuum that ranges from a single episode of violence through ongoing battering.
Women have been discriminated against since the beginning of time, as early as the first people, Adam and Eve. Eve was called the evil one, who ate fruit from the tree of knowledge. Once she had the knowledge to know right from wrong, she chose to do wrong and give the fruit to Adam. Examples like these can be shown all over history books, in stories, tales and legends across the entire world. Women have been subordinate to men in virtually all societies throughout history.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is historically referred to as domestic violence. It describes a pattern of coercive and assaultive behavior that may include psychological abuse, progressive isolation, sexual assault, physical injury, stalking, intimidation, deprivation, and reproductive coercion among partners (The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), 1999). IPV leads to lifelong consequences such as lasting physical impairment, emotional trauma, chronic health problems, and even death. It is an issue affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Eighty-five percent of domestic violence victims are women (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003).
Introduction to Intimate Partner Violence Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a tremendously serious social and public health problem. Progression of intimate partner violence can lead to morbidity or mortality and affect various types of relationships. An intimate partner is one that is described by frequent contact, identifying as a couple, emotional bonding, and regular physical and/or sexual contact. A few examples of intimate partners include dating partners, spouses, girlfriends or boyfriends, and sexual partners. Violence within these intimate relationships can be psychological, physical, or sexual and present in heterosexual relationships, homosexual relationships, and to disabled partners in relationships.
Thesis: In my paper, I will be examining the different types, possible causes, and effects of Intimate Partner Violence, and what treatments or programs are available to combat this growing problem in America. Regardless of differing approaches to fight it, statistics show that women all across the world suffer from the effects of domestic violence at a similar rate independent of class, race, or religion.