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Gabriela Burneo-Khan

Professor Massey

ENC 1101

8 December 2017

Victims of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is an extremely grave topic that is frequently not reported on and

inexcusably neglected, at times. The cases that the public are most familiar with when it comes

to domestic violence, involve athletes and celebrities reported on news outlets or on shows like

Dr. Phil and Oprah. Within these shows and news reports, the one fact ensured throughout

coverage at some point in time is that domestic violence is a serious social issue that happens

unceasingly every day. Domestic violence is abuse that occurs in a relationship whether intimate,

dating, or marriage. It is not just limited to physical abuse, but also includes: psychological,

emotional, sexual, or financial (Thomson Reuters, What is Domestic Violence). I chose this

topic because of the constant repercussions, danger, and impacts it has had on victims lives. I

feel very strongly towards the men and women who are victims of abusive relationships, where

their partner/spouse has imprisoned them with this despicable reality of a life, but do not know

how to escape it. To reiterate, domestic violence as already pointed out is abuse that comes in

different forms, in which abusers take full control over their partner and try to weaken them.

Allowing this to happen within society is harmful to the wellbeing of so many and is a huge

problem that must be properly recognized and addressed. Provided solutions and actions that can

be taken into account to prevent this from continuing on. Consequently, that is why I feel

strongly for this topic and want to advocate for these victims; to help them find a voice and be
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mindful that support is available in abundance and build the courage he/she needs to change the

situation they are in.

It is known that domestic violence is abuse that can be very detrimental to a person and

as a social issue brings much negativity and repercussions with it. The results it has on the

victims that endure this violence from their partners range from: affecting their well-being to

their mental health, familial destruction, etc. Domestic violence is defined as a violent

confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, sexual assault, or

fear of physical harm (What Is Domestic Violence). Research shows that, Most victims of

domestic violence are women, but men may also be victims (Intimate partner violence). To

add on to that, a study from an article showed that, women are more at risk from violence at

home than in the street, and this has serious repercussions for womens health (Lee 21).

Individuals that abuse their partners in any of the previously mentioned ways, have the unified

goal to overpower, control, and manipulate. This is done all while instilling fear, belittling, and

assaulting their significant other.

Often overlooked, is verbal abuse can be just as damaging to how it makes the victim

view themselves for the remainder of their lives, after being told harsh, vindictive words.

Ultimately, after the harm is done, the unfortunate victim is left to watch the destruction of their

self-esteem. Verbal and psychological abuse, which can be incurred by women or men, biggest

matter is how it continues to affect the victim, even when the abusive relationship has ended. The

demeaning language that abusers use repeatedly with their partner essentially ruins their

confidence and self-worth. Psychological abuse can be harmful if it leads to the victim having a

pessimistic view of themselves. Later, this may affect future relationships, as well as lead to

depression, and anxiety.

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The longer this type of abuse is dealt with the more likely he/she is to be re-abused by

another. This is why it is extremely critical that people who are victims to domestic violence be

informed of the different platforms there are so they may seek help any time before the damage

is irreparable. A lot of times, victims will stay in their abusive relationships for dread of what

would happen if they tried leaving, so they keep enduring the different kinds of abuse that

domestic violence brings, and not only is the victim effected, but so can family members

surrounded by it as well. As stated by Burnett in her article Domestic Violence, These

behaviors, which can occur alone or in combination, sporadically or continually, include physical

violence, psychological abuse, stalking, and nonconsensual sexual behavior. With all the

aforementioned ways of behavior seen in domestic violence there is also a repetition per say that

is always seen which is described by nurse Gaines as The pattern or cycle of violence is usually

the same. The cycle of violence has three components: (1) tension building, (2) explosion or

acute battering and abuse, and (3) reconciliation, loving respite, or the honeymoon phase

(331).

With all the information previously mentioned people and behaviors listed people might

wonder why anyone would ever stay in such a toxic relationship and environment and not get up

and leave. The answer is that there is actually plenty of reasons why such as Love, hope,

dependence, fear, guilt, survival, loyalty, family pressure, children, religious beliefs, learned

helplessnessand the list goes on (Gaines 331). With that being said, not only are victims

experiencing fear and trauma by staying in such unsafe environments, but if children are

involved they are experiencing the hostile environment and traumatic violence as well. Many

times, these children grow up to be violent themselves from what they witnessed growing up.

Furthermore, if there is physical harm done and a child has witnessed, it can cause them to
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become fearful and anxious (The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children).

When researching another article states that, Children of abuse feel isolated and

vulnerable. They are starved for attention, affection and approval (The Effects of Domestic

Violence on Children). Emotionally, children may deal with so much of that pain and shock that

it can become overwhelming to bear. Personally, I know what domestic violence can do to a

victim and their children because my aunt on my mothers side endured it with her ex-husband

severely and her son (my cousin) for a very long time was always anxious, introvert, and

suffered from depression for some time from all he had witnessed when he was younger. My

aunt was weak and afraid to leave her then husband and felt the only way she could ever make

him happy and have him love her was by being submissive to him. It took her sisters and

brothers dragging her out of that life endangering marriage and threats for her to realize the

situation she was in. After that, it took a long time for recovery with many therapy sessions also.

Seeing what my aunt has gone through in her past has made me grow a deep ache for the men

and women that go through this, from the slightest abuse to the most extreme. It is from knowing

her story that lead me to want to learn more about domestic violence.

Another personal experience was that I even had the privilege to volunteer once during

the Summer of 2015 through the Dolphins Special Teams camp. One of the activities at this

camp was to go to this womens shelter and spend time with their children and entertain them. It

was an all-womens shelter that housed women who had been in terrible environments,

specifically abusive ones with their kids. When our camp arrived at the shelter the children were

already at the playground area of the shelter with their moms waiting excitedly and anxiously for

us to get off the bus and begin playing with them. It was a nice distraction for these children and

mothers, since they had been through a lot up until then. Talking to some of the women there
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showed me how truly devastating domestic violence is on someone and how it can leave them

with nothing but themselves and their children. Victims like the ones I spoke to have to start all

over from scratch and look for work and a more permanent ideal residence.

The shelter in only a temporary stay until they can get back on their feet and support

themselves because a lot of the times the partner of the victims were the ones who handled all the

finances and supported the family. Once the victims finally got courage to leave that in turn left

them practically homeless. Which is why shelters like the one I visited that summer are so

valuable and important because it is a safe zone and an escape for victims. The women I spoke to

also told me that they were not going to let what happened to them define them and make them

feel like life is over for the sake of their children. They were strongminded and determined to

make life better after their ordeal for themselves and their children to never be in a situation like

that again. That experience really warmed my heart and made me realize further just how serious

domestic violence is and how it needs to be acknowledged and shed light on.

Help and solutions need to be ensured and available in keeping victims safe and away

from the harmfulness of domestic violence as well as knowing what steps to take in order to

receive the appropriate guidance, but most importantly having strict reform and policies is

necessary in order to ensure victims well-being and to decrease domestic violence over all in the

country. The statistics and facts show that domestic violence is a prevalent and ongoing issue

that affects so many people in the United States. According to the National Coalition Against

Domestic Violence, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an

intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million

women and men and domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and

suicidal behavior. Those two facts alone are unsettling and should infuriate anyone who comes
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across them because in todays society as a whole us human have become so advanced in every

way possible it is shocking that domestic violence is still a recurring issue with all the resources

out there for people to become aware and get insight on this and how to prevent it from

happening or noticing it when it is. It sets us back as a nation so much because with how much

we have evolved from back then people should see how devastating it was when domestic

violence occurred so much in the mid 1900s that people would think to not bring on those same

practices to this day and age. The light at the end of the tunnel for people in such horrid

environments and situations is that Help is available; most communities have a local domestic

violence hotline and a shelter or safe house (Gaines 331). There are not only shelters as

previously mentioned, but organizations, hotlines and legal aspects that can be considered if

needed. The first step is getting officials and government to really view domestic violence as a

human right issue and not just something to slip under the table when it does occur. As stated by

Andrews and Khavinson, Though rampant in the U.S., many Americans including the general

public and state actors such as law enforcement (LE) see DV (domestic violence) as a family

matter to be resolved within the home and not as an HR (human right) violation (17)

A big milestone for the grand issue of domestic violence was when former President

Barack Obama signed a memorandum stating that, Federal Agencies will be required to develop

policies to address the ramifications of domestic violence (Tucker 7). This article is by far the

most substantial to the disheartening topic of domestic violence because it shows that even the

former President of the United States knew light had to be shed and people needed to know that

this is a real issue and concern which needs to be handled with the right care and treatment.

Abuse of any kind will not be tolerated especially domestically where a persons home is

supposed to be their sanctuary, but with domestic abuse it becomes their worst nightmare. No
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one is exempt from domestic abuse, it could happen to anyone so it is always important to

reassure people help and support is out there in plentiful ways and they are not alone.

Communities can organize rallies and marches where people come together and give

information about domestic violence. Doctors, health care physicians, etc. can post the domestic

violence hotline in their offices so if a victim does not want to come forward directly they can

have the number to call the national hotline. For example, a solution in working towards

preventing domestic violence was demonstrated by Catherine Wright. She describes the fourth

annual Health Cares about Domestic Violence Day which is a large event established by the

Family Violence Prevention Fund as part of its National Health Initiative on Domestic Violence.

The event hosts to health care providers, government officials, and more. Cristina Beato, MD,

principal deputy assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services, said in an introduction to the ceremony, Domestic violence is a silent epidemic in our

country today. Another director of the annual event always makes sure to let health care

providers know to consistently ask patients if their environment and well-being is being

threatened or harmed in any way by a partner. In the event people are recognized and awarded

for bringing awareness to the issue at hand. This kind of act demonstrates the obligation to

resolve domestic violence by showing how awareness continually needs to be raised. It is not

only health care providers that can look out for the signs, but regular working people as well as

family, friends, work associates, or just about anyone that can do something to make sure

someone they may know is safe with their domestic partner and that nothing seems alarming.

Awareness should always be continuously brought to this societal issue in order to eradicate it.

To conclude, domestic violence is a severe social issue that needs to be illustrated and

seriously addressed to be able to overcome and slowly decrease the percentage of victims that
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deal with this. Victims of abuse typically do not come forward or seek for help which is why

family, friends, health care physicians, therapists, etc. need to be informed of the signs and

symptoms of someone who is being abused to be able to provide him or her with the appropriate

care and aid they need. If more people are knowledgeable on domestic violence, then, as a

community, people can work together to make sure this is noticed and consequently prevented.

There are an array of solutions and steps that can be taken for victims of domestic violence, so

there is hope always that people or loved ones for victims will come forward in bringing them to

a safe environment and if they have children for their children sake as well. Furthermore, there is

an array of resources available to those in need and looking for relief or a getaway which is

reassuring to know because many times to victims feel there is no way out, but there always is a

light at the end of the tunnel and aid will be there for those in need who are discouraged and

weak.
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Works Cited

Andrews, Averil and Jenny Khavinson. "From International to Domestic Approaches: Battling

Domestic Violence in the United States." Family & Intimate Partner Violence Quarterly,

vol. 6, no. 1, Summer2013, pp. 17-34. EBSCOhost,

db16.linccweb.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=i3h

&AN=91714213&site=ehost-live.

Burnett, Lynn B. Domestic Violence. Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, 28 Sept.

2017, emedicine.medscape.com/article/805546-overview.

Gaines, Kaye K. Domestic Violence. Urologic Nursing, vol. 28, no. 5, Oct. 2008, p. 331.

EBSCOhost,db16.linccweb.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=

true&db=a9h&AN=34966913&site=ehost-live.

Reuters, Thomson. Types of Domestic Violence. Family.FindLaw, 2017,

family.findlaw.com/domestic-violence/types-of-domestic-violence.html.

Statistics. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2017, ncadv.org/statistics.

The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children. Domestic Violence Round Table , 2008,

www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org/effect-on-children.html.

Tucker, Charlotte. "Obama Tells Federal Agencies to Address Domestic Violence." Nation's

Health, vol. 42, no. 5, July 2012, p.7.

EBSCOhost,db16.linccweb.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&d

b=hxh&AN=76259214&site=ehost-live.
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What Is Domestic Violence. Domestic Violence Main Page,

www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/domviol/what.htm.

Women around Globe Feel Burden of Domestic Violence, Often at Home. Nations Health,

vol. 36, no. 1, Jan/Feb2006, p.21 .

EBSCOhost,db16.linccweb.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=

true&db=a9h&AN=19719003&site=ehost-live.