Introduction to Domestic Violence

“Introduction to Domestic Violence”

In this Blog we will be learning and uncovering the theories and truths about domestic violence. People have different perceptions on Domestic Violence. Many people believe that women who stay in abusive relationships like the abuse. Also many people do not understand how significant the issue of Domestic Violence is. Another perception society has is that only women are victims of Domestic Violence. On our journey through this blog we will uncover the truth about Domestic Violence. Bringing awareness to Domestic Violence has become a priority in my life, I was in an abusive relationship for two years. It finally ended last year, January 2015, when I suffered a three-month long concussion and much more.

Domestic Violence:

The definition of Domestic Violence is: “acts of violence or abuse against a person living in one’s household, especially a member of one’s immediate family.” Definition found on dictionary. Abuse however, can be in many forms such as, psychological/emotional, physical, verbal, sexual, financial, and many more. It will most likely start out psychological/emotional or verbal, but in the long run will lead to more physical. Why does any of this matter you may be asking? Domestic Violence is in many ways, a quiet epidemic. Though in plain sight, victims are often invisible, fearfully denying their situations and hiding behind the façade of a happy home. But the statistics reveal a shocking reality. Every nine seconds, a woman in America is assaulted or beaten, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. A mind-boggling on in three women (and on in four men) have been a victim of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime, the group also reports. That makes intimate partner violence “the single greatest cause of injury to women,” per the Domestic Violence Intervention Program. The one question our culture often asks of victims/survivors of domestic abuse is: “Why do/did you stay in an abusive relationship?” or “Why don’t you just leave?” Sometimes the question is meant as an honest inquiry. However, often it is spoken with an undercurrent of hostility or disbelief “If you wanted to leave, you would have.” Sending a message that people who stay in abusive relationships are somehow to blame for their abuse.

 

  

Frequently asked questions about domestic violence, that we will be talking about throughout this blog are; “Do people who stay in abusive relationships like the abuse?”, “Why do people become batterers/abusers?”, “Can you identify a potential batterer/abuser when you meet him/her?”, “Are victims of domestic violence ‘weak’ people?”, “Are people violent because they lose control?”, “Do drugs and alcohol cause domestic violence?” and “What can I do if I, or someone I know is being abused?” I look forward to you joining me in this open conversation, that I believe is very relevant in our society today.

 



 

"domestic violence". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 16 Mar. 2016. <Dictionary.com http://www.dictionary.com/browse/domestic-violence>.