1|Page

Kia Sutton

Professor Cuddy

Written Communication II

10, April 2017

The Prevalent Domestic Violence Abuse in the United States

Despite our growth as the US nation, we continue to struggle with street violence and

domestic violence within our communities. Communities are continuously looking for ways to

promote peace and safety. Particularly in urban areas where it is easy to find trouble and because

of the poverty and daily stressors its easy to experience some sort of violence Another

important area of research, as is how to strengthen the availability and effectiveness of

comprehensive services, particularly in low resource settings. (Wathen, MacGregor,

Hammerton, Coben, Herman Stewart,2012). Throughout this essay the topic of domestic

violence will be discussed. Domestic violence is a prevalent issue that affects the social,

emotional, physical and mental development of both women and children. It is known that men

can suffer at the hand of women but this paper will be focusing on women and children suffering

at the hand of men. In addition to conflicts women and children who are living in domestic

violence homes suffers from traumas such as mental, physical and emotional health problems.

Also if a child is present in the home his or her childhood experiences of domestic violence may

in fact hinder his or her social and emotional development. As one would imagine, it hard for

domestic violence victims to speak up due to the fear their abuser has instilled in them. In this

public service announcement campaign the intention is to get victims attention and ensure that

there is help for them by raising awareness of the domestic violence crime, promoting
2|Page

counseling, therapy and support groups and also assuring that they no longer have to fear their

abuser. Making it clear that what theyre going through is unacceptable and their abuser will be

incriminated and/ or counseled as well. In all, this public service announcement should help the

communities to be more aware of the issue and advocated strongly for change.

In addition this paragraph will be going into the statistics of women and children that

experience domestic violence in his or her home. As of 2016 the World Health Organization has

found that 30% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence from their partner, 7%

of women starting at age 15 have experienced sexual violence by a non-partner (Wathen,

MacGregor, Hammerton, Coben, Herman Stewart,2012). Information from the United Nations

Childrens Fund states that 6 out 10 children (almost a billion) from ages 2-14 experience regular

physical punishment or higher proportion, 7 out if 10 experience psychological aggression such

as harsh physical abuse, and 1 out of 10 girls under age 18 have experienced sexual violence

(rape or molestation) (Wathen, MacGregor, Hammerton, Coben, Herman Stewart,2012). As

one can see it is imperative that we get a handle on domestic violence. The numbers are too high

to sit back and continue to allow abuse to happen, no one should have to live like that. As

previously stated domestic violence is prevalent in low income homes where women and

children feel like their voices do not matter or that no one would care because they are not

important. So in creating a PSA one would be exposing the community to awareness and

advocating on behalf of women and child to call for help and that its okay they shouldnt be

scared to receive help. Communities should be more involved in issues such as domestic

violence because its ensuring the safety of all community members (men children and women).

The PSA should be able to ensure those living in domestic violence homes that they do not have

to live that way that they can get help and live safely. This is a widespread topic because besides
3|Page

economics this is a reason for broken homes and broken youth. There has been research that says

an act of violence against a person is extremely traumatizing and can take several years to get

over so one can only imagine the mortifying pain a domestic violence victim is constantly

experiencing.

Furthermore, The international community recognizes violence against women and violence

against children as global human rights and public health problems. Historically, research

programs, and policies on these forms of violence followed parallel but distinct trajectories.

(The Impact of Child Abuse on Mental Health) General knowledge of domestic violence is

that batterers and abusers usually beat and violate women and children for the same reason,

submission. But what triggers the abuse is usually a psychological problem that the perpetrator

has. In response to the psychological deficits the abuser has; throughout and after the abuse the

woman and child are left with some of their own. Victims of domestic violence can suffer from

panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, anxiety, an often times the

emotional and psychological traumas are highly severe and sensitive, suicidal tendencies and

psychotic episodes can be triggered through domestic violence and maltreatment (The Impact of

Child Abuse on Mental Health). For children it can be depression, eating disorders, substance

abuse, aggressive behaviors, and conduct problems, child sexual abuse has been linked to mental

disorders including schizophrenia and delusional disorder. But most victims do not suffer serious

mental health issues (The Impact of Child Abuse on mental Health). After being removed from

the situation the victim should immediately go into therapy and counseling. Using the public

service announcement we can advocate for help and growth, as stated above victims that are able

to escape those situations can come out with psychological deficits and if the matter is taken into

their own hands sometimes they dont want to talk about it and they dont get the help they need.
4|Page

It is easy for a victim to want to escape the pain they are feeling by using easier outlets such as

drugs and alcohol but by using the PSA the hope is that itll show a better alternative, promoting

physical and mental therapy to help those recover from the trauma. Also providing support

groups for those who want to talk and share their experiences and help others through their time

of need as well. The biggest component of recovery is support from others thats what keeps the

victims motivated to continue healing and growing. To provide support groups and counseling

will help the women and children deal with whats happen to them and it will allow them to

move on and live their lives free of oppression and getting use to a free society once again.

In conclusion, violence in all areas is unacceptable but violence against women and children

is needs to be reduced and controlled. A lot of people over look domestic violence because they

arent experiencing it themselves but it is a very pressing issue that communities ought to

control. Violence in anyway is a traumatic experience and the victim should be able to recover in

the proper and most useful way, victims affected by violence should attend counseling and

therapy to overcome those experiences. A public service announcement should serve as a voice

to a widespread audience making them aware of the issue but also giving the audience ways he

or she can help or be helped. Communities should stand unified for change in all areas that need

changing and domestic violence is included in that.

5|Page

Bibliography

1. Abrahams, Hilary. Supporting Women after Domestic Violence: Loss, Trauma and

Recovery. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2007. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=202336&site=ehost-live.

2. Alejo, Kavita. Long Term Physical and Mental Health Effects of Domestic Violence.

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science Volume 2. Issue 1.

2014. (pgs.19)

3. "Domestic Violence Main Page." Domestic Violence Main Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb.

2017. <http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/domviol/what.htm>.

4. "The Impact of Child Sexual Abuse on Mental Health." Child Family Community

Australia. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2017. <https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/long-term-

effects-child-sexual-abuse/impact-child-sexual-abuse-mental-health>.

5. Wathen CN, MacGregor JC, Hammerton J, Coben JH, Herrman H, Stewart DE, et al.

Priorities for research in child maltreatment. intimate partner violence and resilience to

violence exposures: results of an international Delphi consensus development process

BMC Public Health. 2012;12:684.