...research study was to examine gender differences with regard to domestic violence and if having been a victim of domestic violence or witnessing it at a young age has any influence on the probability of becoming a perpetrator of domestic violence or a victim of it later in life. Previous research has narrowly identified males as aggressors of domestic violence and has failed to identify females as a domestic violence perpetrator outside of the realm of self-defense (Kernsmith, 2006). The study seeks to discover if having been a female victim of abuse or a witness thereof has any influence on the propensity to behave violently in familial or dating relationships. Study Design The design of the study was cross-sectional and represented a multitude of demographics from across Los Angeles County. The culturally diverse group of participants ensured the data collected would remain bias free. Administered by a facilitator who read the questions aloud, each participant answered the same questions simultaneously. According to Kernsmith (2006), “Both the Los Angeles Probation Department and General Campus Human Subject Protection Committee approved these procedures prior to beginning the study” (p. 166) Operational Definition The administered questionnaire contained questions that would elicit direct responses regarding the witnessing of domestic violence during childhood, being a victim of abuse, or a victim of physical domestic violence. Questions also inquired about the level of fear...
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...Statement Studies have shown that an increasing trend of domestic violence is being perpetrated in heterosexual households. Many of these cases involve the male abusing the female, and the female actively attempting to maintain an outward appearance of normalcy despite the silent suffering. This outward image is nothing but a cover to maintain an illusion to the world that everything is good in the relationship, and also in many cases for fear of further abuse for drawing attention to the issue. As a result a closed loop of suffering, pain, and violence is created. Annotated Bibliography What is Domestic Violence? (August, 2014) The United States Department of Justice. http://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence The U.S. Department of Justice profiles the various ways in which domestic violence can be perpetrated by the aggressor. The manners in which the aggressor may enact the abuse are; psychological, economic, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. From this study the USDOJ is able to show how domestic violence is inflicted on females and the methods males use to gain control. The studies also show that abuse crosses all age and socioeconomic group boundaries. This study is credible as it comes from the U.S. Department of Justice. The USDOJ enforces laws and defends the interests and wellbeing of the American people. The USDOJ is continually researching various crimes, one of which being domestic abuse. This continual research gives women everywhere a continually...
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...of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. This Act being one of the first in this sphere has concretely dealt with the problem of domestic violence taking into consideration all the related laws and has attempted to reduce the numerous ancillary problems generally faced by such legislations (such as impractical provisions). This legislation is well placed in the Indian context and social scenario, clearly reflective of the mindset of the Indian men. The commentary primarily looks into the provisions of this Act from the constitutional perspective – the Fundamental rights to be particular. The main aim of the commentary is to bring to light the numerous rights, most of which are constitutionally guaranteed, of women who are protected directly or indirectly by this Act. The all-encompassing nature of the legislation is elucidated among the other positive aspects of this law. The Act is thus a very vital piece of legislation from the feminist perspective of law. However one of the main and primary criticisms of the writers is that this Act intentionally or unintentionally neglects to address the issue of child abuse among male children. This persisting problem having been left without any such specific laws requires quick and immediate addressal. Introduction Domestic violence is sadly a reality in Indian society, a truism. In the Indian patriarchal setup, it became an acceptable practice to abuse women. There may be many reasons for the occurrence of domestic violence. From...
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...Domestic Violence Against Women is a global issue reaching across national boundaries as well as socio-economic, cultural, racial and class distinctions. It is a problem without frontiers. Not only is the problem widely dispersed geographically, but its incidence is also extensive, making it a typical and accepted behavior. Only recently, within the past twenty-five years, has the issue been "brought into the open as a field of concern and study" (Violence Against Women in the Family, page 38). Domestic violence is not an isolated, individual event but rather a Perpetrators of domestic violence can be found in all age, racial, ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, linguistic, educational, occupational and religious groups. Domestic violence is found in all types of intimate relationships whether the individuals are of the same or opposite sex, are married or dating, or are in a current or past intimate relationship. There are two essential elements in every domestic violence situation: the victim and abuser have been intimately involved at some point in time, and the abuser consciously chooses to use violence and other abusive tactics to gain control over the victim. In some instances, the abuser may be female while the victim is male; domestic violence also occurs in gay and lesbian relationships. However, 95% of reported assaults on spouses or ex-spouses are committed by men against women (MTCAWA e-mail interview) "It is a terrible and recognizable fact that...
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...Ruby-May Birch Homework Examine the patterns of and reasons for domestic violence in society (24 Marks) A definition of domestic violence is given by the Women’s Aid Federation in 2008 is 'physical, psychological, sexual or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. It may involve partners, ex-partners, household members or other relatives.’ Sociologists challenge the view that domestic violence is limited to the behaviour of a few disturbed individuals, they argue that there are sociological explanations for domestic violence, domestic violence is far too widespread to be simply the work of these people. According to the British crime survey domestic violence accounts for almost a sixth of all violent crime also domestic violence doesn’t occur at random but follows particular social patterns and in turn has social causes. There are four types of abuse outlined: partner abuse, family abuse, sexual assault and stalking. A shocking pattern in domestic violence is that it is more commonly women than men that experience ‘intimate violence’ across all four types; this was found by Kathryn Coleman et al in 2007. Catriona Mirrlees-Black found similar outcomes when carrying out a survey of 16,000 people in 1999. She found that 99% of all attacks against women were by men...
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...The History of Domestic Violence Antoinette Perkins SOC 490 Dr. Stephen Ulrich November 11, 2012 Although, there are many social science problem or topics issues that take place on a regular basis throughout the world in our everyday society, I have chosen to discuss factors impacting domestic violence where women are mainly the victims. Even though there are many social problems in the world that we deal with, domestic violence should be taken more seriously especially with the consequences that could follow it. Although there are many different types of domestic violence that women suffer from, women should always take certain precautions and necessary action for a healthy and safe environment for themselves. With protecting themselves by receiving the proper help and it will help them to love themselves, feel safe, and help them to make better choices concerning their lives. There are a number of incidents that takes place each year on a daily basis referring to domestic violence including; women who are in college, different ethnics, different sizes, and so much more, which really means there is no particular woman that is chosen to become a victim. With domestic violence it is never a good situation for anyone to be in because of the outcome can be very serious and deadly for the victim. Even though there are many social problems in the world that we deal with, domestic violence should be taken more seriously especially...
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...Domestic Violence Introduction Domestic Violence Against Women is a global issue reaching across national boundaries as well as socio-economic, cultural, racial and class distinctions. It is a problem without frontiers. Not only is the problem widely dispersed geographically, but its incidence is also extensive, making it a typical and accepted behavior. Only recently, within the past twenty-five years, has the issue been "brought into the open as a field of concern and study" (Violence Against Women in the Family, page 38). Domestic violence is not an isolated, individual event but rather a pattern of repeated behaviors that the abuser uses to gain power and control over the victim. Unlike stranger-to-stranger violence, in domestic violence situations the same perpetrator repeatedly assaults the same victim. These assaults are often in the form of physical injury, but may also be in the form of sexual assault. However the abuse is not only physical and sexual, but also psychological. Psychological abuse means intense and repetitive humiliation, creating isolation, and controlling the actions of the victim through intimidation or manipulation. Domestic violence tends to become more frequent and severe over time. Oftentimes the abuser is physically violent sporadically, but uses other controlling tactics on a daily basis. All tactics have profound effects on the victim. Perpetrators of domestic violence can be found in all age, racial, ethnic, cultural...
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...Domestic Violence Against Men Statistics for the Behavioral & Social Sciences PSY 325 Instructor: October 17, 2011 When we think if domestic violence we automatically think that it is against the female in a relationship but it is becoming more and more prevalent that the abuse is where the male is the victim. Research has proven that little or no concerns or given to battered men who cry out for help from law enforcement officers and in the courts the cases are given minimum status for prosecution. The focus just is not there nor is there a sense of urgency as it is in the case of abused women. There are very limited resources available for abused men and very minimal funding provide for assistance of any kind. Statics have shown that domestic violence reports rates are higher in women than in men since men tend to hide the abuse due to being socially stereotyped or just because of their own pride. Even so there is a great need for the equal opportunity for the abuse victim regardless of their gender. Researchers into domestic violence believe that it may not against women decrease at a rapid rate but that we should walk away when the men share their pain? Chloe, a thirty five year old female called police regarding alleged abuse by her husband, she quickly came to her senses and admitted to police that she should be the one being arrested. Chloe said that she had physically and verbally abuse her disabled husband; unfortunately law...
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...A Male and Female Perspective on Domestic Violence I shared my in-depth story about surviving domestic violence to an audience of more than 300 people. After the event was over, there were many who came and shared, however there was one gentleman who patiently waited until the last person left. He was a distinguished gentleman who humbly greeted me. We began an intense conversation about my story and how women who suffer with domestic violence are perceived. The conversation lasted for a long time. We ended up exchanging information and within a week he contacted me. As our conversation picked up, he began to share and I found myself weeping as he shared his story. He opened up to me about how he was a survivor of domestic violence. In this essay I am going to share the effects of emotional abuse from both his perspective and my female’s perspective. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) defines domestic violence as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. Typically when you hear the words domestic violence, it’s often assumed to be associated with women and although the numbers are astounding for women there are many untold stories of men who have suffered abuse as well. I knew...
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...Whenever the thought of domestic violence comes to mind, more than often the visual picture is a women or a child. But there is another side that is ignored because it is bushed up under the rug, and ignored as if it is seemingly impossible for it to happen and that is the abuse of men; this review will examine this important and neglected issue that society seems to ignore. On the contrary there are several conflicts that destroy a relationship. The biggest conflicts that seem more widely publicized and always at the forefront is infidelity, poor financial handling, sex, children and abuse. Seemingly, abuse is something that is more tolerated and unmentioned as a code of silence on both sides of the relationship, this is usually the case because the victim (man/women) is too ashamed to mention the abuse, and unless either witnessed or displays visible signs of abuse it will be tolerated until the victim has had enough, or unless death occur. Society is beginning to realize that domestic violence is an increasing growing issue and must continue to work towards implementing programs to decrease it within the homes. The myths! Which are outlandishly ridiculous, with the mitigating factor being the distortion of subconscious beliefs of these myths that leads to abuse; The Super Bowl Sunday myth seems to grow wings and fly because of media, who stated that every year domestic violence rates were higher because of the outcomes of games, this myth was never proven. Then there is...
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...Vazaskia V. Crockrell-Caldwell Prof. Margaret Griesse T SOC 455: Sociology of Gender 8 December 2014 Domestic Violence in the Lives of Black Women in the U.S. This essay will explore the cause and impact of domestic violence in the lives of black women in the U.S. It will provide general information, such as the definition of domestic violence, statistics, and resources to help survivors leave domestic violence relationships. Following the review of the literature I identify areas which need further research. Since I can remember black women have been characterized as mean and argumentative, but also strong and self-sacrificing for their families. Black families on TV were always portrayed as single mother households. In my community there was also a reoccurring reality of domestic violence against women. This was is in direct contrast to stereotypes I heard about white women, who were portrayed as weak, frail and needing to be protected. Examples include June Cleaver on Leave it to Beaver and the Brady Bunch. But what justified the brutality of domestic violence against black women then and now? In 2011, black females were murdered at a rate more than two and a half times higher than white females: 2.61 per 100,000 versus 0.99 per 100,000. [1] In the U.S. domestic violence against black women has escalated. In 2010, Marissa Alexander an African American woman shot a warning shot at the wall in order to scare Rico Gray, her estranged, abusive...
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...Victims Nonetheless Scared to say anything, they hide their pain, these are victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence, such heavy words, when you hear these words, what do you think of? Most people think of a man beating a woman, and that's normal. Society has portrayed domestic violence as the majority of victims being women. People tend to forget that men can be victims too, society has portrayed them as macho men that don’t cry. Men should be recognized as victims of domestic violence too. Violence is violence, no matter the gender of the victim, and not recognizing those victims, makes it hard for them to speakup. Moreover, there are different types of Domestic violence. Physical, like kicking, hitting, choking, throwing items, and...
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...Domestic Violence Overview The Women’s Aid Federation (2008) defines domestic violence as: ‘physical, psychological, sexual or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. It may involve partners, ex-partners, household members or other relatives.’ A common view of domestic violence is that it is the behaviour of a few disturbed or ‘sick’ individuals, and that its causes are psychological rather than social. However, sociologists have challenged this view. * Domestic violence is far too widespread to be simply the work of a few individuals. According to the British Crime Survey (2007), domestic violence accounts for almost a sixth of all violent crime. Catriona Mirrlees-Black’s (1999) survey of 16,000 people estimates that there are 6.6 million domestic assaults a year, about half involving physical injury. * Domestic violence does not occur randomly, but follows particular social patterns and these patterns have social causes. The most striking of these patterns is that it is mainly violence by men against women. For example, Kathryn Coleman et al (2007) found that women were more likely than men to have experience ‘intimate violence’ across all four types of abuse – partner abuse, family abuse, sexual abuse and stalking. Similarly, Mirrlees-Black found that: * Most Victims are women * 99% of all incidents against women are committed by men * Nearly 1...
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...HayLee V. Beard April 10, 2012 English 1020 Spring Atkinson Domestic Violence Against Men Ignored While growing up we constantly heard “a man never hits a woman.” This moral value was drilled into our heads so it would remain in adulthood. However, violence against women is still a large problem in our society today. If a value so efficiently taught still poses as an issue, the unlearned values must rate even higher. One of these being violence against men. Males have always been portrayed as the strong, dominant ones while women have been week, fragile figures. This assumption has caused the world to ignore male victims, making violence against men one of the biggest problems. Denis Campbell, a designated reporter for the online newspaper “The Observer,” wrote that forty percent of domestic violence victims are male, or about two in five of all victims. It will continue to grow as long as we let it. I consider myself as a feminist. That is why domestic violence was my top research subject. I was under the impression that the only victims were women and men were just simply evil. However, when digging deeper into research I realized that violence against men is dangerously ignored and how the affects are the same. I now feel the need to report this and bring awareness. Starting on the journey of this new topic, I had many unanswered questions. How could a hefty, tall, strong man be victimized by a small, petite woman? The answer relates back to the lesson of “a man never...
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...instigators of domestic violence. As early as 1974, Richard Gelles was cautioning social workers, police, and women’s groups that they needed to consider the possibility that women are indeed perpetrators of domestic violence and that they may actually deliberately instigate many cases of domestic violence. Unfortunately, the same women’s groups who rallied unceasingly to protect women and children who suffer the effects of the violence have failed to recognize that women do, indeed, hold some responsibility in the perpetration. There is a difference between blaming the victim, and empowering the victim. By accepting responsibility for actions that contribute to the perpetration of violence, we can cease to be victims and begin to be equal partners. 1 The Social Environment Surrounding Domestic Abuse The woman’s movement has been slow to embrace the concept that women can be abusers. For many years, the women’s movement in general – and specifically women’s community groups that support shelters – have taught women that they have a right to live life free of abuse by their male domestic partners. Unfortunately, we as a nation have failed to communicate the other half of this etiology: men have a right to live life free of abuse by their female domestic partners. For various reasons that will be discussed in this paper, treatment providers and law enforcement agencies have been slow to recognize the extent of the level of abuse that women have perpetrated upon their domestic partners...
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