Domestic Violence: make homes safe again
There are a number of political issues that can come up when discussing domestic violence. Some of these issues include the definition and prevalence of domestic violence, how to address it in society, and how to treat it legally. It is important that these issues be addressed for victims to have a better chance of getting help and getting away from abusive situations.
Definition and Prevalence of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence can include a wide range of behaviors, such as physical assault, sexual assault, psychological abuse, economic abuse, and harassment. This wide range can make it difficult to determine the prevalence of domestic violence in a particular area. While some studies suggest that as many as one in four women in the United States has been the victim of domestic violence at some point in her life, other studies have found that only a small percentage of these crimes are reported to the police. These discrepancies may be due to several factors, including the victim’s lack of faith in the judicial system or reluctance to report the crime due to fears of retaliation by the perpetrator. However, even under the best-case scenario, the statistics indicate that there is still a serious problem of domestic violence in our society.
The cause of domestic violence
source:https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/07/09/domestic-violence-surges-after-a-football-match-ends
The causes of domestic violence are numerous and intricate. The dynamic of power and control in a relationship is the primary motivation behind this aggressive behavior. No of the type of relationship—romantic, parental, or familial—violence is viewed as a means of controlling the power dynamics. There are certain traits that men who commit acts of domestic violence (who make up the great majority of offenders) have in common. They frequently lack empathy, are egocentric, and prioritize their own needs over those of others. These people also promote the notion that victims of violence are to blame for their own suffering because of shortcomings or particular actions.
What are some of the biggest current issues in domestic violence?
The increased severity of events, according to Kelly McBride, executive director of the Domestic
Violence Network, is one factor that stands out. The lethality significantly rose, according to McBride, “we observed more strangulation, more pistols, and things of that nature.” Domestic violence claimed the lives of 41 individuals in 2020. In 2020, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department received nearly twice as many calls about domestic abuse, including more serious cases. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine reported domestic violence cases increased by 25-33% globally in 2020. The city of Dallas launched a domestic abuse dashboard in October 2022 to raise public awareness and enable real-time incident reporting. Violence is still frequently reported, though. In Wisconsin last year, homicides caused by domestic violence claimed the lives of 80 people. 54 instances resulted in a total of 65 fatalities, 11 suicides by offenders, and 65 victims. In 52% of occurrences, the victim and the offender had a recent or past relationship
source:https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/02/17/women-violence-domestic-abuse-who-lancetstudy/
How can public policy help reduce domestic violence?
It has been discovered that victims of abuse frequently get jailed, lose custody of their kids, and, even in the best of situations, are told to escape to a shelter while the majority of abusers may act with almost impunity. They frequently serve stiffer sentences than the abusers, who also frequently win custody of their children. Despite the fact that numerous studies have shown that victims of abuse comprehend and anticipate their abusers’ actions better than any “expert,” we nevertheless dismiss their allegations and regard them as if they are unqualified to make judgments. In general, there is not much of a coordinated governmental approach to domestic violence, and law enforcement has a lot of latitude. Intimate partner abuse requires a considerably stronger response from the state than it now has, even though society’s attitudes must change. The need to comprehend the economic roots and effects of misuse also remains of importance. An abuser might obstruct their victim’s capacity to work, for instance. We need to understand that targets need assistance and understanding vs being fired, as has happened when companies hear their employees are indeed being harassed and abused. Instead, we must concentrate on and even assign blame to those who mistreat others.
States in the USA have also enacted legislation directing police personnel on how to handle domestic violence. Officers used to advise abusers to “cool off” but not imprison them when they were summoned to violent houses in the past. The sufferer continued to be at risk since the assailant was still at large. Numerous states have enacted legislation requiring arrests in order to safeguard victims. Officers are required by these laws to detain one or even both individuals at the scene. These laws promote prompt action to protect victims even though the approach is not without controversy. Local community organizations working to end domestic and sexual abuse have significantly boosted their advocacy for victim rights nationwide. The legal profession has changed its strategy for dealing with victims of crime in just a few short decades. The Survivor Reentry Project is being carried out by the American Bar Association Commission as part of its rigorous efforts to combat sexual and domestic abuse (SRP). The SRP educates lawyers on how to effectively assist victims of violent crimes such as rapes in marriage, workplace attacks, and dating violence.
What is the purpose of having a specialized court for domestic violence cases? How can it help victims?
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Cases of domestic abuse involving marriages and other domestic partners frequently involve complicated procedures that the criminal justice process must carefully address. These courts focus on domestic abuse offenses in order to expedite case processing and provide more consistent decisions regarding domestic violence laws. Certain domestic violence authorities place more emphasis on the rehabilitation of those found guilty of the crime and the prevention of repeat offenses and yet during the prosecution of the crime it takes extensive evidence to reach a conclusion such as the Ray Rice incident, wherein American audiences saw him strike his partner inside of an elevator before learning that both people had been detained, serves as an illustration of how far we have to go before providing targets with genuine support. The cultural reaction was possibly even more tragic; comments on Facebook expressed sympathy for his now-wife while also condemning her. She was just a martyr of herself, people claimed; she needed help; she should flee.
All court actions involving the abuser, including guilty pleas, sentence, and parole hearings, must be disclosed to victims, according to the majority of state laws. At these gatherings, the victim typically has the right to speak. When deciding whether to sentence someone to jail or release them, most judges take the victim’s experience into account. Last but not least, domestic abuse costs its victims money. Some sources claim that each hospital visit due to abuse costs over $4,000 to complete. Additionally, victims miss work, which costs them hundreds of dollars in wages. Some states provide reparations to aid victims in recouping these expenses. Restitution is the compensation victims receive to assist them in covering the costs of the offender’s crime.
The solutions to end Domestic Violence.
When efforts are done to stop domestic violence, victims, households, and the community as a whole gain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide techniques and methods for identifying and addressing the basic causes of domestic violence.
- Social and emotional learning programs for children and healthy relationship programs for adults are used to teach and foster healthy relationship skills
- including peers and powerful adults in family education and initiatives preventing the formation of pathways that lead to domestic violence by providing early childhood home visits, parenting education programs, and care for children who are at risk.
- By enhancing the social, workplace, and educational climates, implementing employment and financial stability initiatives
- By providing survivor support services, housing services, first responder and legal constitutional protections like Executive order twelve
source:DJV-Dobbs-quote-June-2022
The main elements in a community that help prevent domestic violence are:
- Coordination of services and resources between regional organizations
- Availability of financial and economic support
- availability of medical care and counseling services
- access to a stable and safe home
- an awareness of community members’ connections.
Case management services helping with domestic violence
Case managers who assist victims of domestic abuse strive to get them ready for fulfilling lives separate from their abuser. Caseworkers assist victims with:
- need assistance with moving after leaving a batterer for the sufferer and their dependents, food and clothing
- Utility and essential services
- Assistance with housing and medical costs
Case managers frequently act as a last resort for clients with no other options. These social workers play a crucial role in assisting victims of domestic abuse to become independent of their abusers, regain stability in their lives, and find hope for a better future.
Source: https://www.jcadv.org/about-us
What should I do if I or someone I know is a victim of domestic violence?
You can feel helpless regarding the right course of action to take if you know of or think that an individual is a sexual assault victim or domestic violence. Because every day is a day of solitude, seclusion, and terror for an abused victim, do not let this dread stop you from acting. Victims may receive the encouragement they require to act on their own behalf by being reached out to and informed that you are there for them.
It takes an entire village to stop the violence. It’s time to stand up and protect yourselves or a relative that has been mistreated. Encourage those who struggle to discuss these topics. It will aid in removing the guilt and stigma associated to sexual assault and domestic abuse. We should all work to stop violence, but if it does happen, we should all be aware of one another’s safety.
You had no fault because you were a victim! Although it is a tricky task to do, discussing about the assault will boost your self-worth and self-esteem. Speak to trusted friends or members of your family who will be able to listen and comprehend. Additionally, there are skilled experts working in sexual assault shelters, human services organizations, law firms, and community counselors who have shared trauma. Keep in mind that you are not alone.
Contact another resource or The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Supportive behavior is appropriate if you are aware of or suspect abuse against a loved one. Don’t make any judgments. When the moment comes, acknowledge your friend’s or loved one’s attempts to find safety and offer support while they’re doing it. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible if you or anyone you recognize is dealing with any domestic abuse-related legal difficulties.
Conclusion
Many nations continue to withhold funding for expanded services. Many low commodity nations have inadequate finances for tackling violence against women and children even if there is no crisis, which may be reflected in the fact that early adaptation strategies are predominantly in high-income countries.While statistics from current services and reported cases provide us a hint as to what might be going on, they also paint an incomplete picture. For instance, contacts to domestic violence hotlines have probably dropped in some contexts as a result of survivors’ proximity to offenders who are under quarantine and their inability to safely seek assistance. The variety of types of violence associated with COVID-19 must be addressed in mitigation measures. To make sure that actions are having the desired consequences and are not causing unintentional harm, actions must be continuously monitored. The quasi list of government reactions may serve as some inspiration for further action as the UN Secretary-General urgently appeals for peace within homes all over the globe. Everyone has a role to play in preventing and decreasing violence and assisting survivors.
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