Understanding the Domestic Violence Epidemic

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Domestic violence is an epidemic in our society with dramatic, negative effects on individuals, families and communities. Domestic violence is a crime that knows no economic, racial, ethnic, religious, age or gender limits. Women who are victims of domestic violence most likely are also victims of sexual assault and, stalking. A domestic violence victim may experience systematic rape in addition to physical and psychological abuse. According to Backman, (p.54) nearly one in every four women are beaten or raped by a partner during adulthood. Three women are killed by a current or former intimate partner each day in America, on average women are at an increased risk of harm shortly after separation from an abusive partner. Children are particularly vulnerable as both victims and witnesses to domestic violence. Approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year.

Many victims do not seek protection from the authority because they are concerned that the court will not believe them . They fear that after reporting the abuse, the abuser would come back with a fierce vengeance or with an intimidating attitude against her or her family. According to Berry, D. B. , (2000 , pp.32-34,38,68,

Three women are killed by a current or former intimate partner each day in America, on average. Women are at an increased risk of harm shortly after separation from an abusive partner. Also, approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year. Children are particularly vulnerable as both victims and witnesses to domestic violence.

Has the parent provided minimum degree of care for the child (ren)? In the Sharwline Nicholson v. Nicholas Scoppetta, minimum degree of care f...

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... Rates of Violence Against Women , Ronet Bachman, Pennsylvania

The Domestic Violence Sourcebook, Dawn Bradley Berry, J. D., 2000, NTC/Contemporary Publishing Group, pp. 32-34, 38, 68. .

Medical Response to Domestic Violence," Journal of the American Medial Association, June 17, 1992, p. 3132)

NCJA Justice Research, "States, Federal Government Increasing Focus on Violence Against Women," September/October 1990, p. 3)

Doctors must join fight against domestic violence," USA Today, June 18, 1992, at 12-A)

. (NCJA Justice Research, "States, Federal Government Increasing Focus on Violence Against Women," September/October 1990, p. 3)

(Arthur Kellerman, "Men, Women and Murder," The Journal of Trauma, July 17, 1992, pp. 1-5)

Browne, Angela American Psychologist. Vol 48(10), Oct 1993, 1077-1087

Matter of Sayeh R., 19 NY2d 306,315, 317 (1997)

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