Victims
of Violence
Leslie
K. Penny
Module
1 Research Assignment
Chancellor
University
Abstract
The following essay
goes into detail on some of the aspects of family violence. Topics researched cover who the victims are,
who the perpetrators of violence are, causes of family violence, some short and
long term effects of family violence, a definition of battering, and some
thoughts on how family violence can be prevented. This was just a small portion of all the
information available in reference to family violence. This writer chose important features to stay within
the requirement of the essay.
Victims of Violence
There is
a good chance that most people have witnessed a violent act being done towards
another either it be a family member, a friend, in public to a stranger, on
television, in movies, on the news or read about in the media. Unfortunately, it is a common feature of our
society filled with victims, perpetrators, and those that strive to help others
to end their abuse. The following essay
will go in detail to answer questions such as who are the victims of violence,
who are the perpetrators, what are causes of family violence, what are the
effects of family violence, what the definition of battering is, and can family
violence be prevented.
Simply
put, a victim of violence can be anyone.
To be more specific, victims can be within the family such as "violence
and abuse toward intimate partners, children and elders" (Maiuro, 2013), outside the home
such as "acquaintance and stranger rape, simple assault, homicide, youth
violence, aggressive driving, and road rage" (Maiuro, 2013).
As well as within the schools and workplaces "such as employee or
co-worker abuse, threat assessment, incident management, and bullying; academic
functioning, social and emotional development associated with exposure to interpersonal
violence and abuse" (Maiuro, 2013).
Lastly, within our healthcare and social services such as abuse of the
elderly and those that can't protect themselves due to mental
incapacitation.
Perpetrators
of violence, same as victims of violence, can be anyone as well. The difference is that the victim doesn't ask
for the abuse while the perpetrator, generally speaking, easily doles it
out. The perpetrator can easily be a
willing participant even if his/her conscious is warring against him/her. The perpetrator can be a man, a woman, a child
or elderly. The perpetrator can be in
any field of business or not one at all.
The perpetrator can be your run of the mill neighbor that you would
never guess could do such a thing.
According to Sarah B. Harris's article, For better or for worse: Spouse
abuse grown old, "research has shown that spouse abuse is an aspect of
family violence that cuts across all socioeconomic levels, educational,
racial, age, and occupational categories" but in an unequal manner (Harris, 1996). Therefore, no matter the background or
situation, anyone can be a perpetrator.
There are
many factors and theories that play in as to why family violence occurs. According to The Feminization of Domestic Violence in America: The Woozle Effect
Goes Beyond Rhetoric, poverty is a noteworthy cause of family violence,
especially those in single parent households, specifically "female-headed
household with minor children" which was estimated to have the lowest
median income by type of family (Coney, 1999). The article goes on to point out that
"when violence between spouses/intimate partners is the frame of
reference, articles focusing upon women, rather than men, as recipients of
violent behavior were at least ten times more likely to occur than the
reverse" (Coney, 1999).
According
to Bonnie E. Carlson's articles, Mental
retardations and domestic violence: An ecological approach to intervention,
family history is a factor that contributes to domestic violence, "A
history of victimization in one's family of origin has been said to occur at a
higher rate among children with developmental disabilities" (Carlson,
1997). This cause can then lead into the Psychopathology
Theory which is based on the notion that particular individuals who suffer from
mental illness, personality disorders, and other dysfunctions may be the cause
as to why they engage in aggressive acts in the family unit (Roberson, 2011).
This also
opens the door for the Social Learning Theory where the abusive behavior is
most frequently reinforced by others because it "is the one most often
exhibited by the individual" (Roberson, 2011).
Frustration-Aggression Theory also fits this profile in that the
individual may feel the object of their anger, in this case a child with
developmental disabilities, may be standing in his/her way of achievements or
certain goals (Roberson, 2011).
In a nut shell, there many factors that contribute to family violence,
such as age, socioeconomic status, race, repeat victimization, convicted
offenders, the ending of a relationship, pregnancy, cohabitation, stress,
family adversity, low education, drug abuse, un-employment, etc. (Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence, 2013).
The
effects of family violence can be insurmountable. The ultimate consequence would be the death
of a victim by the hands of their abuser.
Other physical harm includes rape, sexual assault, robbery, and
aggravated or simple assault (Sampson, 2006).
The mental and emotional abuse of children, other family members,
friends, neighbors, and co-workers, has
a lasting effect on the victim throughout the rest of their lives even with the
help of therapy. Long term
psychological effects include anxiety, stress, sleep deprivation, loss of
confidence, social isolation and fear (Sampson, 2006).
This writer feels that short term effects really become long term even
if the perpetrator has been stopped. The
victim will always have to struggle with the effects of the violence. Other effects that could be categorized as
short or long term include "economic costs, job loss, loss of home, (the
risk of being further victimized is increased when put in a homeless
situation), loss of friends and support, increased medical expenses, etc. (Sampson, 2006).
Another
aspect of violence includes battering.
According to the article Battering
and couples therapy: Universal screening and selection of treatment modality,
"battering is a form of abuse that occurs between two adult intimate
partners who may or may not be married or living together" (Mederos, 1999). The article goes on to say that the
perpetrator uses planned violence that can vary "in type, frequency, and
severity, ranging from pushing to marital rape to homicide" and that
psychological or emotional abuse most often leads to the onset of physical abuse
(Mederos, 1999).
A key to remember when it comes to battering is that aggression by its
self is not considered battering "unless it serves to enhance the man's
control of his partner, leads the woman to modify her behavior or daily life,
includes psychological abuse, and instills fear and intimidation" and that
"even moderate violence (pushing, shoving, or a slap) accompanied by
psychological abuse and coercion should be considered battering" (Mederos, 1999).
How can
we prevent family violence? It is not an
easy question to answer, especially from the victims perspective. For one, they have to want help and with they
need the confidence they no longer have and they have to make it be known they
are being abused. We, as a community,
have to be aware of what to look for.
Signs that an individual is in an abusive relationship are feeling
afraid of their partner much of the time, avoiding certain topics out of fear
of angering their partner, feeling that they can't do anything right by their
partner, feeling they deserve to be hurt or mistreated, feeling emotionally
numb or helpless, feeling humiliated when yelled at by their partner, being
criticized or put down, embarrassed for family to see the mistreatment, being
ignored for accomplishments, being told they are the reason they are being
abused, being seen as a sex object instead of person, etc (Segal, 2012). Signs of physical abuse include frequent
injuries with the excuse of it being from an accident, frequently missing work,
school, or social occasions without sound explanation, have very low
self-esteem, showing a major personality change, depression, anxious or
suicidal (Segal, 2012). Those are just a small sample of all the
warning signs of abuse.
We can
help those we believe are being abused by talking to the person in private, let
them know there is a reason for concern, ask if something is wrong, listen and
offer help, don't place judge or blame, don't pressure him or her, don't give
advice, just let them know someone is there when they are ready open up and
talk and that anything being said will remain confidential (Segal, 2012). We can inform them, in a subtle way, of resources to help them and if children are
involved we have to do our civic duty and report the abuse. Preventative programs for abusers or
potential abusers are available as well as programs for the abused no matter
their situation.
Our world
is full of abuse and violence, unfortunately.
All the factors that play into it can vary greatly. Family violence can range from rich
sophisticated business men who demand control over their significant others
lives and finances to a single parent who has fallen on hard times, has little
money and verbally abuses her daughters out of jealousy for their youthfulness
and fresh futures ahead of them. Family
violence is prevalent in any situation and in any socioeconomic environment and
it happens to women, men, children, elderly, the mentally disabled, etc. The affects of family violence are ones that
leave scars, ones that put the abused in bad situations. But with the help of victim advocates and
resources for the abused and the abusers, we can put a stop to as many cases as
possible.
Works Cited
Carlson, B. (1997). Mental retardation and domestic
violence: An ecological approach to intervention. Social work , 79-89.
Coney, N. &.
(1999). The feminization of domestic violence in America: The woozle effect
goes beyond rhetoric. Journal of Men's Studies , 45-45.
Factors
Contributing to Domestic Violence.
(2013). Retrieved 03 09, 2013, from Center for Problem-Orientated Policing:
http://www.popcenter.org/problems/domestic_violence/2
Harris, S. B. (1996).
For better or for worse: Spouse abuse grown old. Journal of Elder Abuse
& Neglect , 1-33.
Maiuro, R. D. (2013). Journals
Social Work. Retrieved 03 09, 2013, from Springer Publishing Company:
http://www.springerpub.com/product/08866708#.UTtpTlfNgr5
Mederos, M. B. (1999).
Battering and couples therapy: Universal screening and selection of treatment
modality. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy , 291-312.
Roberson, H. W.
(2011). Family Violence: Legal, Medical, and Social Perspectives.
Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Sampson, R. (2006). The
Problem of Domesit Violence. Retrieved 03 09, 2013, from Center for
Problem-Oriented Policing: http://www.popcenter.org/problems/domestic_violence/print/
Segal, M. S. (2012,
12). Domestic Violence and Abuse. Retrieved 03 09, 2013, from
Helpguide.org:
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment