Domestic violence includes many acts of aggression, coercive control, and sexual, physical, and psychological abuse. It entails degradation, intimidation, power, and isolation often formation as a circle of violence. It also involves stalking, harassment, economic, digital, and online abuse. It usually takes many forms but degenerates into a pattern of violent, threatening, controlling, and coercive behavior. In most cases, it involves a current partner, family member, or ex-partner. In most situations, women are the victims with men being the chief perpetrators ( Stith, McCollum & Rosen 2011) . It is a deeply rooted criminal act that has, over the years, created a big divide between men and women. Women make up the most significant number of victims of domestic violence, a social inequality that has left deep wounds in women’s lives.
Domestic violence is considered as an abuse due to its violent aspects. It is an abuse due to its cruelty. It is also considered a violation since it is a repeated act inflicting pain and torture on another. Something is abusing if it has features of unfair treatment, improper application of power, and violent conduct that often results in harm or injury. Else-Quest and Hyde (2017) reiterated that m ajority of women who fall victim of domestic violence, cite physical, and psychological pain due to mistreatment by those they have entrusted their lives. There exist many causes of domestic violence. However, according to Stith, McCollum, and Rosen (2011) one of the most leading reasons is condoning the vice by the victim. Not many victims are confident enough to come out and condone the act, face their perpetrators, and speak against the abuse. In many societies, women are discriminated against due to social and economic inequality. Else-Quest and Hyde (2017) argued that w omen exposed to social inequality and discrimination is twice as high to fall victims of domestic violence.
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Other major causes of domestic violence include weakening of the social framework, pro-social conduct, and exposure to aggressive situations or people. Stith, McCollum, and Rosen (2011) maintained that t he use of drugs and alcohol is also an active contributor to domestic violence. Children exposed to violent conditions or who do not value women may even resort to domestic violence in the future. Some violent abusers also point to the fact that their abused background contributes a lot to their aggressive lifestyle. Stith, McCollum, and Rosen (2011) argued that m ost women allow the act to go on due to distorted self-esteem, lack of will power, and condoning the action in their relationship with the abuser. Some also fear losing face, embarrassing their partners, and becoming a laughing stock. In the end, the majority suffer silently in abusive relationships concerning negative perception by society. According to Else- Quest and Hyde (2017) despite the society depicting women as fragile and weak, they are unbreakable when faced with difficult situations. It explains why most women remain strong despite the many domestic abuse and violence they face.
However, some men and women try to prevent the abuse by reporting to relevant authorities, talking to their partners, or quitting the abusive relationship. While some seek counseling, others opt to stand their ground and condemn the act in front of their abusers. However, the number of women who directly confront their partners to stop abusing behavior is minimal due to fear, the fear to lose their family and the fear to break the family apart. Stith, McCollum, and Rosen (2011) add that o thers decide to join support groups to get social and psychological support on how to prevent the abuse. While some attempts succeed, others fail to end up in increased abuse and violence. Men who fall victim to abuse rarely report or seek support partly due to fear of ridicule or loss of respect in the society. However, over ninety percent of abusers are men. Women are the most abused in relationships and face the harsh realities of domestic violence.
References
Else-Quest, N. M., & Hyde, J. S. (2017). The Psychology of Women and Gender: Half the Human Experience+ . SAGE Publications.
Stith, S. M., McCollum, E. E., & Rosen, K. H. (2011). Couples therapy for domestic violence: Finding safe solutions . American Psychological Association.
Reports, N. (2013, April 01). Domestic Violence: Living in Fear | NPT Reports. Retrieved July 31, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dNrb5fe7kY
