Domestic Violence and its Treatment and Prevention

Domestic violence refers to any form of mistreatment that takes place in either the heterosexual or homosexual relationship mainly between the adults or even the adolescents. The maltreatment can take place in many forms including physical and mental abuse. It affects both men, women and even teens irrespective of whether an individual is married or not. Intimate partner violence can come in various ways which include the sexual, psychological, economic or even physical abuse. The intimate partner violence is a major cause of mental health issue and a serious concern due to the lasting impacts that it can have on the victims as well as the whole family. Domestic violence has become a major public health concern because it affects more than 2 million women and 800000 men ( Root & Brown , 2014). While the issue of intimate partner violence continues to strike all societies regardless of race or religion, the risk factors include poverty, substance abuse and the attitude of male dominance. The treatment and prevention require various interventions which include social-emotional learning programs, guidance and counseling as well as other measures that promote positive and happy living amongst partners. 

Types of Domestic Violence 

Physical abuse is one of the most common forms of domestic violence amongst partners. The physical abuse involves the use of force in a way that causes harm or injury to the other partner and can include slapping, hitting, pushing, pinching or even murder. Such kind of violence puts the victim at the risk of bodily harm and injury. Verbal abuse is the other form of domestic violence that is also very common amongst the partners. The verbal abuse mainly involves using words to demean, criticize and decrease confidence in a person. It occurs when either a husband uses demeaning words towards his wife or a wife using similar words towards a husband ( Root & Brown , 2014). While verbal abuse may not result in physical injury, it can lead to loss of confidence and emotional instability. 

Another form in which domestic violence can occur is through sexual abuse. This kind of violence occurs when a person uses sex to control or even demean the victim. For example, forcing an individual into engaging in sexual practices for which she/he does not want to engage in. Such abuse usually results in emotional instability and depression to the victims leading to loss of self-esteem. The last form of domestic violence is the financial abuse where the abuser limits or otherwise controls the freedom of the victims. It mainly occurs in the married partners where one partner does not want the other to have financial security and to become instead dependent. This is usually a way to exert control over the partner. 

Incidence of Domestic Violence 

The long history of partner beating can be traced back to the patriarchal system. Previously, the law common law in the United States acknowledged the right of a man to chastise his wife for misbehavior without facing any prosecution. In most cases, the court preferred that cases of domestic violence be solved by the partners themselves without engaging the police. According to the reports by CDC, one in every three murders in the United States were related to partner violence ( James & Gilliland, 2012 ). However, the rates of deaths due to partner violence has decreased between 2001 and 2010. In a summary of all the violent crimes, 500000 cases were related to the intimate violence in 2002. This however represents a decrease compared to previous year which the number stood at 1.1 million. 

Emerging Approaches to Domestic Violence 

While domestic violence has a long history, a consistent and a planned approach to domestic violence was first witnessed in 1974. The changes in the approaches to domestic violence has been as a result of the development of National Organization for Women as well as Massachusetts Coalition of Battered Women Service Group which has always stood to ensure that women are not battered. Over the last 30 years however, the country has witnessed a dramatic change in the approaches to domestic violence (James & Gilliland, 2012). There has been the introduction of the police procedures, increased prosecution of the partner violence and increased legal protection and arrests of the victims. 

Dynamics of partner Violence 

The major dynamic of partner violence are the psychosocial and cultural dynamics. The belief in male supremacy and dominance has been the contributing factor in the partner battering. The belief of male dominance originates from the long term sexist, paternalistic social order that rewards the aggressive behavior of men as they expect women to remain submissive. This belief of stereotype has led to volatile mix of personality dynamics between the traditional beliefs. The issue of power also accounts for partner violence. The position of women has been to obey and perform the traditional domestic duties and remain submissive to the men. Any attempt by the woman to have her own rights can lead to punishment. While violence is common in families, it also develops in the context of social, psychological and cultural factors (James & Gilliland, 2012). The belief that men should remain superior over women contributes to violence when a man perceives a women to be acting in a way that threatens his perceived power. 

Statistics on the Domestic Violence 

Domestic violence is a major public health concern that affects millions of people not only in the United States but globally. The reports by the media show that domestic violence affects almost every family, both the low income and the well-established ones. Statistics show that at least 5% of the adults currently experience domestic violence in their relationships in the United States alone, with over 2 million women falling the victims ( Kaschak , 2014). A large number of people who fall victims of domestic violence are women. However, men have also been reported to be falling victims of domestic violence with up to 800000 men estimated to be experiencing domestic violence from their partners. 

While women lead in the number of people who fall, victims of intimate partner violence, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals are not an exemption. It is estimated that at least 25% of the LGBT individuals fall, victims of the intimate partner violence, just like it is amongst the heterosexual partners ( Kaschak , 2014). The research also shows that at least 1300 people die annually as a result of issues related to domestic violence. Research in America and Australia also confirms that more than 15% of women were murdered in intimate partner violence, with a gun being the most used weapon ( Kaschak , 2014). Men form the least number of deaths from domestic violence, with only 3% of deaths attributed to such violence in 2013. 

Other than the adults’ intimate partner violence, teen’s rate is also alarming. Research into the group shows that at least 12% of the teens have at one point been victims of domestic violence, either physical or psychological ( Kaschak , 2014). Such abuse has put many teens at the risks of getting into risky behaviors such as suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, and risky sexual behaviors. Teens who experience or practice domestic violence against their partners are more likely to continue with the behavior into adulthood, and this affects their future relationships. 

Risk Factors for Domestic Violence 

While researchers point out many causes of domestic violence, all the risk factors have one thing in common; however, the abuser usually wants to have control over the victim. One of the risk factors associated with domestic violence is substance abuse. People who are undergoing substance abuse, especially alcohol, are ten times more likely to engage their partners in violence. Alcohol increases the chances of an individual developing aggressive behavior towards the partner which could lead to physical abuse and injuries. Reports show that at least 20% of the reported cases of domestic violence are due to one partner being an alcoholic ( Cattaneo & Goodman , 2015). 

Disagreement is also a risk factor that can trigger domestic violence amongst the partners. Partners can disagree on many issues, and when they are unable to reach a common ground, one partner may become aggressive and started violence with the other partner. The violence that erupts over disagreements may further be escalated by anger. When one partner gets angered very fast, then even a small disagreement could lead to fights between the partners. 

The other risk factor for domestic violence was witnessing violence when one was a child. According to the social learning theory, children learn from what they see, and they tend to carry this into their adulthood. When children see their parents or role models engage in aggressive acts and violence, they will learn and retain that it in their brain. Such children are more likely to engage their partners in domestic violence because it is an act they learned while growing up ( Cattaneo & Goodman , 2015). The attitude of male domination is also one factor that has been the main cause of domestic violence between many partners. The attitude that men should remain dominant over women leads to men developing behaviors meant to increase their control over their female partners. For example, exercising financial abuse by limiting the financial freedom of the partner to decrease their dominance. In a society where there is a call for gender equality, those who still hold the attitude of male dominance are more likely to push their partners into violence. 

Financial issues are also a risk factor that can escalate domestic violence amongst partners. This is mainly common in low-income families. Lack of financial security can always lead to low self-esteem and depression. These two can then make an individual start a fight with a partner over a small issue. While domestic violence is also a common occurrence in affluent families, it occurs mostly in low-income families as a result of financial difficulties ( Cattaneo & Goodman , 2015). Jealousy, envy, and lack of trust amongst partners are one of the most common risk factors for domestic violence. When one partner does not trust the other, he/she can develop jealous and envy and the suspicion of flirting with other people. This could cause anger and bitterness with the outcome of being domestic violence. The king of violence caused by such a risk factor tends to be severe, with some resulting in loss of lives and serious injuries as well as termination of the relationship. 

Effects of Domestic Violence 

The survivors of domestic violence can face many challenges which could have long term impacts on their lives. The effects can range from physical, emotional and mental abuse. It can sometime take the victim many years to recover especially when the abuser was very violent. It can take time, sometimes even up to ten years for the survivor to heal completely. 

The physical effects of domestic violence can include serious injuries such as bruises, tension and even wounds that could take time to heal. When the victim was so violent, it can lead loss of lives and eventually affects the children who are left without a parent to care for them. More than 40% of the families have lost their homes as a result of intimate partner violence ( Root & Brown , 2014). At the same time, health care costs have risen as a result of the treatment of the victims of domestic violence. 

The victims of domestic violence are more likely to develop mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The development of post-traumatic stress disorder that is accompanied by uncontrolled thoughts and flashbacks can severely affect the mental stability of an individual. The survivors of intimate partner violence tend to have sadness and anxiety for the rest of their lives due to the disrupted family. Suicidal thoughts and attempts are also a common occurrence amongst the victims of domestic violence ( Costa et al., 2015 ). Due to depression and anxiety, the victims may get into substance abuse and addiction as a way to manage stress. 

The victims may also have effects on the emotions and lead to feelings of hopelessness and unworthy. A survivor of the domestic violence may develop a loss of trust in any relationship and may even decide never to date again. It can lead to loss of motivation in many life issues and questioning of self. Children who witness or experience domestic violence may also develop anxiety, depression, fear, and low academic outcome ( Costa et al., 2015 ). The overall impacts of domestic violence are devastating and thus the need to identify the treatment and prevention strategies that can reduce such incidences from taking place in the society. 

Prevention and Treatment Strategies 

Intimate partner violence is a serious issue that can have lasting negative impacts on the individuals, families, and community at large. Prevention is, therefore, necessary to ensure that it does not occur in the first place. The first prevention strategy is to teach safe and healthy relationship skills ( Prevent Domestic Violence, 2019 ). The approach to achieve this strategy is to offer a social-emotional learning program for the youth so that they can be taught how to manage a healthy relationship and to have emotional control ( De Koker et al., 2014 ). The healthy relationship programs for couples can also be introduced so that married people can be taught how to maintain a healthy relationship and manage conflict. 

Creating a protective environment is also a strategy that can be used to prevent domestic violence from taking place. The approaches to creating protective environments include modification of the social and physical environments of the neighborhoods and improving the safety of the schools as well as any other place where domestic violence can occur. Because childhood experience also increases the chances of a child getting involved in aggressive acts, promoting childhood development through parenting skills and family relationship programs can help prevent the future possibility of a child engaging in violence ( De Koker et al., 2014 ). Providing teaching sessions and programs for the young people on the negative effects of violence and giving them lessons on how best to have a working relationship that is free from violence can play a key role in the prevention of violence. 

There is also a need to provide treatment programs for the survivors of domestic violence due to the long term consequences it could have. Approaches such as victim-centered services and guidance and counseling can help the victims overcome the psychological issues that come with domestic violence ( Berns, 2017 ). Housing programs for the victims can help solve the issue of homelessness that occurs to the families that have experienced intimate partner violence ( De Koker et al., 2014 ). Providing treatment and care for those who have had physical injuries can help improve the health of the survivors and promote healthy living. Also, first responder ad civil legal protections can be offered to the survivors. 

Conclusion 

Domestic violence is one of the major public health issues that affect most families, individuals, and community as a whole. The victims of intimate partner violence usually undergo lasting effects in their lives. However, implementation of the prevention programs can help eliminate this problem before it takes place. Providing education programs for the youth as well as adults on a healthy relationship and conflict management can help minimize the risks of domestic violence. To minimize the effects on the survivors, treatment and support programs are necessary to help them cope with the trauma. 

References  

Root, M. P., & Brown, L. (2014). An analysis of domestic violence in Asian American communities: A multicultural approach to counseling. In  Diversity and complexity in feminist therapy  (pp. 143-164). Routledge. 

Kaschak, E. (2014).  Intimate betrayal: Domestic violence in lesbian relationships . Routledge. 

Cattaneo, L. B., & Goodman, L. A. (2015). What is empowerment anyway? A model for domestic violence practice, research, and evaluation.  Psychology of Violence ,  5 (1), 84. 

Costa, B. M., Kaestle, C. E., Walker, A., Curtis, A., Day, A., Toumbourou, J. W., & Miller, P. (2015). Longitudinal predictors of domestic violence perpetration and victimization: A systematic review.  Aggression and violent behavior ,  24 , 261-272. 

De Koker, P., Mathews, C., Zuch, M., Bastien, S., & Mason-Jones, A. J. (2014). A systematic review of interventions for preventing adolescent intimate partner violence.  Journal of Adolescent Health ,  54 (1), 3-13. 

Berns, N. S. (2017).  Framing the victim: Domestic violence, media, and social problems . Routledge. 

Prevent Domestic Violence. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/features/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html 

James, R., & Gilliland, B. (2012).  Crisis intervention strategies . Nelson Education.