The Gravity of Domestic Violence in America

1422 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Definitions of domestic violence

For generations, the gravity of domestic violence in America has been disregarded and glossed over; perhaps it is because 60 percent of all domestic violence takes place at home. Domestic violence is defined as, the situation in which an intimate partner or someone you live with attacks you and tries to hurt you, often including physical assault, sexual assault, and bullying. “Every year, more than 3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes.” (safehorizon.org) Domestic violence at home is altering the psychological state of children, creating a huge impact on their lives and their future. Other titles we commonly hear describing domestic violence are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and extortion, but physical abuse or force is the most well-known form. This consists of punching, kicking, pushing, attacking, and more. According to government research, physical abuse is more likely to occur at home than anywhere else. “About three-fourths of all family violence occurred in or near the victim's residence.” (bjs.gov) Perhaps this is the reason that most cases of physical abuse are never reported; the toll on a child to keep this kind of secrecy can range from social impairment to violent behavior. Although physical abuse is the most recognized form of domestic violence, sexual abuse on a child is the most common, and despite the fact that 91 percent of sexual abuse is committed by a non-family member, it still takes place in the child’s home. This kind of activity can drastically change the behavior and judgment of children with their sexuality, self-esteem, and overall outlook on life. Emotional abuse and extortion strongly relate to bullying. This includes verbal abuse and forceful actions. Children... ... middle of paper ... ...child depends on the severity of the violence, and all the circumstances in a child’s life. Domestic violence certainly can have a huge impact on the life of a child, but it is up to you on how you can make a difference in a one’s life. Works Cited Blow, Joe. “Have You No Fear”. CD. Dec 2010. May 2014 Child Information Gateway. “Impact Of Domestic Violence On Children.” Bulletins for Professionals Feb 2009. May 2014. . May 2014. < http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/effects-of-domestic-violence-on-children-771380.html>. May 2014. < http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/domestic.html>. May 2014. . U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. May 2014. U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. May 2014.

Show More
Related

  • The Day It Happened by Rosario Morales

    1290 Words  | 3 Pages

    Domestic Violence and the Child Welfare System. Impact of Domestic Violence on Children. N.p., n.d. Web. The Web. The Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

    Read More

  • Silent Screams: Cases of Domestic Violence in The United States

    1461 Words  | 3 Pages

    Thornton, Victoria. “Understanding the Emotional Impact of Domestic Violence on Young Children." Educational & Child Psychology, Mar2014, Vol. 31 Issue 1, p90-100, 11p, 3 Black and White Photographs, 1 Diagram; found on p95

    Read More

  • Theories Of Domestic Violence

    949 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to the book, Children Who See Too Much, frequent exposure to violence changes the structure of the developing brain. And, it also leaves marks on the chemistry of a young child’s brain (Groves, 37). The children begin to be afraid of their environment because they see their world as unpredictable and dangerous. Hence, them become very aware of their environment, they become guarded waiting for the next dangerous thing that might happen (Groves, 46) Seeing violence at home also affects the child in school. Because their fight or flight system is always running, it begins to interfere with the ability to do learning tasks in school. “They do not complete assignments. They may be highly active and restless.” (Groves, 47) “It affects their emotional development their social functioning, their ability to learn and focus in school, their moral development, and their ability to negotiate in intimate relationships as adolescents and adults.” (Groves, 57). Children are also at risk for both internalizing factors such as anxiety, depression, and self-blame. They are also susceptible to externalizing factors such as aggression and delinquency behaviors. Witnessing or hearing abuse can also affect children in the long run. If they witness long term abuse, it can become “a form of modeling for present and future behavior” according to the Handbook of Domestic Violence Intervention Strategies by Albert

    Read More

  • The Negative Results of Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence

    844 Words  | 2 Pages

    The phrase “domestic violence” typically refers to violence between adult intimate partners. It has been estimated that every year there are about 3.3 to 10 million children exposed to domestic violence in the confines of their own home (Moylan, Herrenkohl, Sousa et al. 2009). According to research conducted by John W. Fantuzzo and Wanda K. Mohr(1999): “[e]xposure to domestic violence can include watching or hearing the violent events, direct involvement (for example, trying to intervene or calling the police), or experiencing the aftermath (for example, seeing bruises or observing maternal depression)” (Fantuzzo & Mohr, 22). The effects of exposure can vary from direct effects such as behavioral and developmental issues to interpersonal relationships, all of which lead to detrimental prospects on the child’s development. This paper will explore those effects and how it affects children.

    Read More

  • Domestic Violence in the United States

    2207 Words  | 5 Pages

    Shannon Brennfleck, Joyce. Ed. Domestic Violence Sourcebook: Third Edition. Detroit, Michigan: Omnigraphics Inc. 2009. 9-12. Print.

    Read More

  • Impacts of Domestic Violence on Children's Health

    1604 Words  | 4 Pages

    Domestic violence (DV) is a pattern of controlling behavior that involves abuse by one family member or intimate partner to another (e.g., marriage or cohabitation). There are varied forms of DV that range from subtle, coercive forms, to violent abuses, which can result in death. According to affects Jain & Chaturvedi (2010), “DV affects humans of all age groups, worldwide”. It takes place in various relationships, such as heterosexual or LGBTQI relationships and it can also be directed toward children in the family. For the purposes of this paper, the author will analyze the impacts of DV on the health of children. This will be done in attempts to broaden current knowledge on this issue from a social work perspective.

    Read More

  • The Effects Of Domestic Violence

    866 Words  | 2 Pages

    Domestic violence is a major problem in the United States. When most people think of domestic violence, they think of one person beating the other person in a relationship. Webster defines domestic violence as “the inflicting of physical injury by one family or household member on another.” Domestic violence has a major effect on children. Some people say that the violence has no effect, while others argue that the violence has a negative effect on children. Domestic violence scars children for the rest of their lives. Once children witness the act of violence, they are more likely to have problems throughout the rest of their lives. Domestic Violence has a negative effect on the way children behave, the way they learn, the careers they choose,

    Read More

  • The History of Domestic Violence in the United States

    476 Words  | 1 Pages

    Historically, legal and social traditions in the United States have permitted and supported the abuse of women and children by the male head of household. This historical phenomenon helps explain why women are the primary victims of domestic violence. In this country, civil rights and legal responsibilities were first granted to free, property-owning men. Wives, children, and slaves were considered "chattel" or personal property of male citizens who were held responsible for their public behavior.

    Read More

  • The Effect Domestic Violence Has Upon Children

    796 Words  | 2 Pages

    Today, children are likely to experience or witness violence in the home. With domestic violence being the most frequent type of violent crime, a child's homes is no longer a safe haven. Statistics show that domestic violence is the major cause of injuries to women; their husbands or lovers kill one third of all women murdered in United States. Unfortunately, a number of these cases occur in the presence of children.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Domestic Violence

    1879 Words  | 4 Pages

    Domestic violence occurs in many different ways. Domestic violence can be sexual, physical, emotional, mental, and psychological. All domestic violence cases are different, but have the same pattern. According to The United States Department of Justice, domestic violence is “any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone”. In other words, people show domestic violence in different ways, they can physically or mentally try to hurt or harm their partners. Most people who was experiencing domestic violence kept it a secret, because they were ashamed. However, nowadays people are becoming more vocal about the issue and they are defending themselves by speaking

    Read More

  • Intimate Partner Violence

    1173 Words  | 3 Pages

    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 effecting 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). More than one in three women in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2012). Thirty to sixty percent of perpetrators tend to also abuse children in the household (Edelson, 1999). Witnessing violence between parents or caretakers is considered the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next (Break the Cycle, 2006).

    Read More

  • Domestic Violence Essay with Annotated Bibliography

    1594 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are many different types of domestic violence. Physical abuse is the most obvious form, but this is not to say that outsiders always recognize it. Generally, physical violence causes bodily harm, using a variety of methods. Slapping, pushing, throwing, hitting, punching, and strangling are only a few methods. An object or weapon may or may not be used. There is not always physical evidence of physical abuse such as bruising, bleeding, scratches, bumps, etc., therefore, absence of physical marks does not necessarily mean physical abuse had not occurred. Physical abuse sometimes escalates to murder (Morris and Biehl 7, Haley 14-17).

    Read More

  • Domestic Violence and the Effect it has on Family

    1602 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Domestic violence is a violent confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm” (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). In most places, domestic violence is looked at as one of the higher priorities when trying to stop crime. Domestic violence cases are thought to be influenced by the use of alcohol, drugs, stress or anger, but in reality, they are just learned behaviors by the batterer. These habits can be stopped as long as one seeks help (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). For instance, a child is brought up in a household that is constantly involved in criminal acts.

    Read More

  • Child Abuse and Neglect

    1474 Words  | 3 Pages

    When thinking about statistics on child abuse, it’s very helpful to know that the idea of “child abuse” is very controversial. Recently, in particular homes and cultures, child abuse has come to be seen as a major social problem and a main cause of many people’s suffering and personal problems. Some believe that we are beginning to face the true prevalence and significance of child abuse. There is more to child abuse than just the physical scars; children are affected socially, mentally, and emotionally. According to the American National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, in 1997, neglect represented 54% of confirmed cases of child abuse, physical abuse 22%, sexual abuse 8%, emotional maltreatment 4%, and other forms of maltreatment 12%.

    Read More

  • Solutions to the Problem of Domestic Violence

    815 Words  | 2 Pages

    Domestic violence is skyrocketing in our society. In the U.S., as many as 1.5 million women and 850,000 men were physically assaulted by their intimate partner last year, and numerous children abused by their parents. These sad criminal acts will continue to grow in our society, unless our community takes action to stop these crimes.

    Read More

More about The Gravity of Domestic Violence in America

Open Document