Domestic Violence



Running head: Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence in the United States

Raelle Plante

fm5467

Wayne State University

Author's note: This paper was prepared for SW3710 taught by Dr. Hopp.

Domestic Violence in the United States

Domestic violence is a social problem that affects individuals, families, and the communities in which they live. The public awareness and understanding of domestic violence has greatly increased over the last few decades. This knowledge has illuminated the prevalence of families suffering in violent environments. This new understanding has given rise to many resources, agencies and services designed to combat the harmful and lasting affects of domestic violence and to give aid to its victims.

What is it?

Domestic violence is physical or sexual assault, which occurs between two people in a relationship. Examples of personal relationships that may be affected by domestic violence include married, not married, dating, living together, gay and lesbian (, 2009).

Who does it affect?

It's important to remember that victims aren't only women, but men as well. Men who are abused by female or male partners suffer the same debilitating effects. Domestic violence occurs in every culture and socioeconomic group. However, it is most prevalent in low income households. Segal (2013) states that the rate of domestic violence is 36% greater in this socioeconomic group. This may actually be higher because this percentage only reflects domestic violence perpetrated against women.

The percentage of women of color who suffer violence from a partner is staggering. Nearly half of Native American women have been victims of partner violence, nearly a third of African American women have been victimized, and reports show that Hispanic women are twice as likely to be raped by a current or former partner (Townes, 2013).

The victims of domestic violence are not only the battered men and women who endure it but also the children who witness it. A report by Low and Mulford (2012) estimated that approximately 30 percent of children will witness domestic violence at some point in their lives. Furthermore, the negative impact of domestic violence on these children will likely cause development problems in one or more of the following areas: "social, emotional, cognitive and/or behavioral" (p.1).

Domestic Violence: Services and Policies

Many services are offered through domestic violence programs and various shelters available throughout the country. Many of these programs include emergency shelters, but sadly, funding cut backs have reduced the amount of shelters available. In 2012, a study conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence found that 6,818 requests by domestic violence victims for housing were unable to be fulfilled. Non-shelter services include: counseling, group support, court accompaniment, transportation, educational programs, and public benefit help (NNDEV, 2012). While the focus of these organizations is to help women obtain resources and education, they also offer various counseling services to the children involved (Clevenger & Row-Sepowitz, 2009).

Government programs such as The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, Violence Against Women Act, and the Victims of Crime Act provide funding, services and housing to the victims of domestic violence and their children. Over time these programs have expanded to encompass the needs of Native American women, LGBTQ individuals, and immigrants in order to combat the unique situations and challenges that prevent them from receiving services and access to domestic violence programs (NNEDV, 2014).

Domestic violence: accessing services

The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found 24.3% of women have been severely abused by their partners at some point in their lives (Tjaden &Thoennes, 2000). Greater than 1/3 of these women are from low-income households (Segal, 3013). It also states that 13.8 % of men have been severely abused by their partners as well (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). Many, if not most, of domestic violence agencies are focused on battered women and don't provide services to battered men who may need them (SAVE: Stop Abusive and violent Environments, 2014).

Immigrants face additional difficulties in obtaining help. Language and cultural barriers may make it difficult for immigrants to understand their rights and to utilize programs and the services available (NNEDV, 2014). Immigrants may be suffering from domestic violence but fear deportation if they divorce. Another difficulty for immigrants is a non-understanding of the United States legal system. They may not realize that divorce is an option or fear they may be shunned as a consequence of divorce. Many immigrants are below the poverty line and are struggling financially. If they are not legal immigrants then they may not have access to social programs that would alleviate economic suffering and allow them to live independently of their spouses (Olivares, 2011).

The fear of their children being taken away is a barrier to both American women and immigrant women alike. Child Protective Services (CPS) may intervene on behalf of children in violent homes, particularly if the child is being abused as well. In a review by Postmus and Merritt, CPS removed children from their home at a much higher rate when domestic violence was determined to be a factor (Postmus, Merritt, 2010).

Another barrier is location. Many, if not most, of domestic violence programs are in or around urban communities, which limits accessibility from more rural areas. The reported incident of domestic violence is highest in very rural and isolated places with a greater severity of abuse. However, domestic violence intervention programs servicing these areas are responsible for multiple counties and often times have fewer on site shelters and emergency shelters, than their urban counterparts. In addition, 1/4 of domestic violence victims living in rural and isolated areas had to travel a distance greater than 40 miles to the domestic violence intervention program (Beyer, Dickey, Harland, Peek-Asa, Saftlas & Wallis, 2011).

History of domestic violence

Women and children, until fairly recently, were considered property of their husbands. Therefore, violence against one's own family was not considered assault and often times was even a right protected by law. These laws span centuries of time from ancient Rome even to today. In Michigan there is an obscure law that states a man owns his wife's hair (Random , 2014). In England, a man was allowed to beat his wife without consequence so long as the stick he used was no thicker than his thumb. Thus is born the common saying, "rule of thumb" that we still use today. This common law, or "rule of thumb" was adopted in Mississippi in 1824 (Bradley-Berry, 1998). Various laws, similar in nature, protected domestic violence in varying degrees throughout the United States, only limiting the amount of force that could be used. Finally, Maryland made it illegal to beat one's wife in 1883 (Bradley-Berry, 1998).

This, of course, is a stark contrast to how we view domestic violence today. Organizations dedicated to equal rights for women began entering the political arena around the 1960s-1970s. NOW, the National Organization of Women, was formed in 1966 (United States Department of Justice, 2014) and in 1976 it established the NOW Task Force on Battered Women. Also, The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence was formed in 1978 (Bradley-Berry, 1998). It was organizations such as these that ushered in a new era for battered women. These groups lobbied, and gained funding and support to provide services to the battered women who needed them. By 2012 there were 1,924 domestic violence programs across the United States (, 2012).

Historically, domestic violence was an expected norm of many households with little to no intervention. Shockingly, Bradley-Berry (1998) tells us that a Harris poll in the 1970s indicated that 20% of Americans still felt there were circumstances where it would be acceptable for a man to hit a woman. At that time, domestic violence was considered a woman's issue and focused on wives. Today, definitions of domestic violence include violence against women, men, gay, lesbian, dating, married, and living together (, 2009). In addition, the children who witness the abuse have been identified as victims as well.

There have been significant strides over the last few decades. Women's rights, including the right to vote, have opened up many doors to equality, eclipsing the previous norm that a woman is property. This has brought many women's issues into the political realm and opened up opportunities that simply were not there previously. Our government responded to these issues and developed agencies to address them, such as the Office on Violence against Women (OVW) (United States Department of Justice, 2014). Women could now escape their abusers via safe houses or utilize other necessary services they may need to leave.

The Stigma of Domestic Violence

The social stigma of domestic violence is difficult to overcome and often times keep the abused women from leaving. The stigma holds up the tradition, "that the privacy of the family is held to be primary" (Segal, 2013, p. 156). Penelope Trunk is a successful businesswoman and writer. She writes in her blog sound business advice but also writes about her family, her life, and her domestic abuse. On one such blog, "Zero tolerance for domestic violence is wrong," she writes about some of the backlash of blogging about domestic violence. One such excerpt says this: "For some reason, people feel it is honorable to rip a woman to shreds if she is living with domestic violence: Here's an example from the comments section on James Altucher's blog: '[Penelope Trunk is] out of her mind to think that her children are not being abused. She, in fact, is as guilty of that abuse as the farmer that beats her,'" (Trunk, 2012). Another blog site, , comments on Penelope Trunk's ordeal. One of the comments in that section was this: "...Documenting everything via tweets and blogs, putting the toxic drama out there isn't a cry for help, instead it strikes me as more of a cry for attention. Sadly, this too, is typical of women who have known abuse from early on," (North, 2011, comments). There were many supportive comments as well, but many that add to the stigma that the abuse is the woman's fault.

Women are not the only victims of domestic violence to face a negative social stigma. A study found that 47.5% of lesbians and 29.7% of gay men reported experiencing domestic violence in their relationship (Banks & Fedewa, 2012). In general, discrimination against LGBTQ individuals is prevalent. Segal (2013) tells us "94% of gay men and lesbians surveyed reported having experienced some type of victimization due to their sexual orientation," (p. 159). This discrimination is evident in the treatment and perception of LGBTQ individuals experiencing domestic violence. Banks and Fedewa wrote a compelling article that stated police were less likely to intervene in a same sex domestic violence scenario. In addition, they tell us that mental health care professionals are less likely to see the domestic abuse as serious with less risk of physical harm and often recommended couples therapy (Banks & Fedewa, 2012).

Men in heterosexual relationships, who are victims of domestic violence, tend to suffer in silence due to the feeling of emasculation, or they feel that no one will believe them. Even men who have experienced a violent outburst by their significant other will find the encounter to be 'funny' and not take it seriously. The stigma that men are strong and women are weak only adds to the reluctance of men to pursue help (, 2012).

The rate of family violence is decreasing according to Segal. It has declined by almost half for heterosexual situations in which women and children were the victims (Segal, 2013). This illustrates that the impact of policies and legislation has made great strides in combating domestic violence against women. However, other victims of domestic abuse are still suffering due to stigma and the absence of public awareness and program policies.

Domestic Violence and Social Work's Code of Ethics and Values

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) clearly outlines core values that should be held in the highest regard for professional social workers. These values are: "service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence," (NASW, 2008). When analyzing domestic violence and its impact on families and society at large it's plain to see each of these values reflected in the need for education and change.

Social workers strive to help those in need, to provide help and resources in crisis situations. People suffering abuse are in desperate need of help and intervention, whether that person is a child, wife, husband, partner or boyfriend/girlfriend makes no difference. It is the social workers job to act and to help; this is the service that social workers are committed to providing.

Domestic violence is a social injustice that has been perpetuated generation after generation. Children and adolescents growing up in violent homes are more likely to be abusers/abused by their significant others when they are grown (Buckley, Holt, & Whelan, 2008). This cycle of violence is difficult to break. This calls us, as social workers, to challenge archaic ideas that women and children are property and homosexual relationships are lesser and should be ignored. Oppression is social injustice and these relationships and ideals are the epitome of oppression that is alive and well today. We, as social workers, must pursue social change and the eradication of oppression on many fronts.

Social workers interact with vulnerable people and populations. It is imperative that when working with domestic abuse victims that we are here for them. Their situation needs to be treated as unique as they are as individuals. Their dignity and worth needs to be upheld. They need to be treated free of judgment and condemnation and given the opportunity to change or not change, to leave or to stay according to what they feel is best for them. This goes hand in hand with the importance of human relationships. Domestic violence victims are in dysfunctional relationships, but it is their prerogative to decide what they value and why.

Social workers must act with integrity and competence. This is true for many professions but in my opinion it is doubly true for social workers. Social workers continually work with vulnerable people and can have a negative and harmful affect on individuals and families if they don't adhere to the values and ethics of the social work profession.

My Personal Thoughts on Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is oppression. It is a tool for control and domination in the relationships that it affects. Historically, domestic violence was ignored because women were considered property. During the 20th century, women began to push for equality and change. They made great strides and women continue to make strides, shining a light on a multitude of women's issues including domestic violence. We have only recently, within the past few decades, begun to look at domestic violence outside of the women's arena and realized that violence within relationships is a cancer that is not limited to man-to-woman violence but it is much bigger than that. It affects more people than that. Much like cancer, if left in the dark it remains untreated and grows. Secrecy feeds it and shame fuels it.

Those that suffer in silence include the children who are exposed to violence within their homes. They grow up in violence and turmoil and develop relationships that are based in the same chaos of violence. Thus, perpetuating another generation of abuse.

Statistics are showing that government policies and domestic violence programs are working. There has been real progress and there will continue to be progress as long as society refuses to turn a blind eye, a deaf ear, or an empty hand to victims. We cannot, as a society, let domestic violence become yesterday's problem because for far too many people: violence is happening today.

REFERENCES

Banks, J. R., & Fedewa, A. L. (2012). Counselors attitudes towards domestic violence in same-sex versus opposite-sex relationships. Journal of multicultural counseling & development, 40(4), 19-205. Retrieved from 57f99-0e83-4290-9bb7-9c8d17a7d225@sessionmgr113&vid=4&hid=104

Beyer, K., Dickey, P., Harland, K., Peek-Asa, C., Saftlas, A., & Wallis, A. (2011). Rural disparity in domestic violence prevalence and access to resources. Journal of women's health, 20(11), 1743-1749. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2011.2891

Buckley, H., Holt, S., & Whelan, S. (2008). The impact of exposure to domestic violence on children and young people: A review of the literature. Child abuse and neglect, 32(8), 797-810. Retrieved from com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/

. (2009). Definition. Retrieved from

Low, S., & Mulford, C. (2012). Use of social-ecological framework to understand how and under what conditions family violence exposure affects children's adjustment. Journal of Family Violence, 28(1), 1-3. doi: 10.1007/s10896-012-9486-5

Miller Clevenger, B., & Roe-Sepowitz, D. (2009). Shelter service utilization of domestic violence victims. Journal of human behavior in the social environment, 1(4), 359- 374. Retrieved from

National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of ethics. Retrieved from

National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence. (2005). Domestic violence shelters in the u.s.-2005. Retrieved from

National Network to End Domestic Violence. (2012). Domestic violence counts: National summary. Retrieved from Color.pdf

National Network to End Domestic Violence. (2014). Frequently asked questions about domestic violence. Retrieved from

National Network to End Domestic Violence. (2014). Immigration. Retrieved from

National Network to End Domestic Violence. (2014). Nnedv policy issues. Retrieved from

North, A. (2011, Dec. 29). [Web log message]. Retrieved from

Office of the Clark County Prosecutor. (2012). Men as victims of domestic violence. Retrieved from

Olivares, M. (2011). A final obstacle: Barriers to divorce for immigrant victims of domestic violence in the United States. Hamline law reviews, 34(2), 149-204. Retrieved from 4793-451f-998e- 8a74cfa1474@sessionmgr110&hid=116&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc 2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ==#db=edb&AN=62395327

Postmus, J., & Merritt, D. (2010). When child abuse overlaps with domestic violence: the factors that influence child protection worker's beliefs. Children and Youth Services Review, 32(3), 309-317. doi: 10.1016

Random . (2014). Strange and funny: 53 crazy laws. Retrieved from

SAVE: Stop Abusive and Violent Environments. (2014). Domestic violence programs discriminate against male victims. Retrieved from

Segal, E. A. (2013). Social welfare policy and social programs. (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

The United States Department of Justice. (2013). Office on violence against women: About the office. Retrieved from

Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. National Institute of Justice & The Center for Disease Control, (2000). Consequences of intimate partner violence: Findings from the national violence against women survey (NCJ 181867). Retrieved from National Institute of Justice website:

Townes, C. (2013, Oct. 22). How women of color are disproportionately impacted by domestic violence. Retrieved from violence/

Trunk, P. (2012, Jan. 1st). [Web log message]. Retrieved from is-wrong/

Notes

I reworked quite a bit of the first phase. I added in socioeconomic status of victims as well as ethnic/race status. I added more on who has access to services. I expanded on immigrants and added in the difficulties that those in rural areas face in obtaining services.

I made no changes to phase II other than the few grammatical corrections you suggested.

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