Domestic Violence Against Women Essay Example for Free

Domestic Violence Against Wo man antecedent EssayVarious types of relationships exist between men and women. The status of women has endured a constant change thus changing the way they atomic number 18 perceived by others in relationships. Despite numerous healthy relationships experienced, there argon those which perk up negative consequences to those involved whiz such relationship is that regarding domestic hysteria. The term domestic violence according to Walker and Gavin refers to an intimate relationship between two adults in which champion confederate uses a pattern of snipe and intimidating acts to assert power and control over the other coadjutor (Walker Gavin, 2011). Within the context of this paper, domestic violence go out refer to violent relationships between men and women where it is the women who argon used. The purpose of this paper is tri-fold (1) to address the growth of domestic violence and (2) to examine various attitudes regarding domestic vi olence and (3) to discuss ways in which society is dealing with the put out of domestic violence. Emergence and Development According to feminists, strong patriarchal values held within a society are linked with increased risk of harm towards women (Watto, 2009, p. 561).Patriarchy exists in most societies worldwide (Watto, 2009, p. 563). The term patriarchate refers to the father having full representation of his family (Romito, 2008, p. 30). Within societys retaining this tactile sensation system, the wife and children are the fathers property (Romito, 2008, p. 146). Many findings have developed according to Totten. He plant 1) labor divided by sexual division to be normal 2) men are to conquer women as sexual objects 3) abusive expression is a justified means for resolving conflict and 4) women should respect, obey and depend on men (Totten, 2003, p. ). Thus, one can conclude that family violence is linked to the ideology of patriarchy (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. 123). As cons iderably, it is important to note that we live in a society which religion is prevalent, the church agrees with patriarchy (L. Walker, personal communication, October 3rd, 2011). Duffy Momiov (1997) state Their histories are united in the longstanding moral obligation of men, as commanded by the Church, to ensure that their wives and children behave themselves properly. Male violence whitethorn be legitimately employed to ensure such behavior.It is the patriarchs Christian duty to save their souls (p. 123). Furthermore, considering society and the church agreed with the ideology of patriarchy, one can conclude that domestic violence was a private furnish and was unheard or spoken of. The division of labor which has strong historical roots in society contributes to women being used. During the Industrial Revolution, men were seen as responsible for do the wage to support the family and the women was responsible for her role in the home as housekeeper and mother (Hutchings, 1992). Unfortunately, according to Hutchings (1992), a man may want to have more power by abusing his wife if he feels as though he is lacking employment in his occupation. It is the males fiscal contributions into his home that gives him the opportunity to jest at his wife (Hutchings, 1992). Contributing Factors Leading to Domestic Violence as an Issue Domestic violence against women would never have become an issue if it wasnt for the development of feminism (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. 23). feminism is divided into different waves.The two waves which had a connection to the development of an issue of violence against women were one and two. It was prior to the development of the second wave of feminism, that domestic violence against women was thought to be a private issue that did not warrant a anguish from the public (Blanchfield, Margesson, Seelke, 2009, pg 1). The first wave occurred in Britain during the years of 1870-1930, it was concerned with womens citizen rights and the rig ht to vote this wave lead to women gaining these rights (Charles, 2000, p. 22). Within this wave, women were concerned with being give the vote (Crow Gotell, 2009, p. 9). The second wave of feminism emerged in North American and Western Europe during the 1960s and focused on womens liberation (Charles, 2000, p. 1). During this wave, the feminists came to retrieve that the state had the ability to demolish policies which affected women thus granting them certain rights (Charles, 2000, p. 5).Goals of the second wave were highlighted by Charles and deal with women raising domestic violence as an issue. He states During the 1970s, the movement formulated seven demands. These were for equal pay equal education and job opportunities free contraception and abortion on demand free 24-hour urseries financial and legal independence an end to all discrimination against lesbians and a womans right to define her own sexuality freedom from deterrence by threat or use of violence or sexual coer cion, regardless of marital status, and an end to all laws, assumptions and institutions which perpetuate male dominance and mens aggression towards women (Charles, 2000, p. 1). Successes were gained from the development of feminism. Male privilege was partially removed with the success of the feminist movements (Crow Gotell, 2009, p. 59).Womens opportunities increased in relation to jobs, benefits, education, independence and affluence (Crow Gotell, 2009, p. 173). collect to womens gain of independence, they raise their expectations of men and were more unwilling to excuse unacceptable male behavior (Crow Gotell, 2009, p. 173). With the changing of expectations held by women, domestic assault and coddle laws were changes and policies which banned harassment in the workplace were created and made common (Crow Gotell, 2009, p. 59). Addressing the Issue The 1960s give rise to the battered womens movement (Schneider, 1991).Prior to the development of womens movement, battering o f women was not contendd (Schneider, 1991). This movement viewed battering as a result of gender relations which reflected female subordination and male power (Schneider, 1991). This movement strived to decrease the silence surrounding the issue of abused women and decrease societys tolerance of the acts (Crow Gotell, 2009, p. 170). Furthermore, this movement has provided public education to increase awareness, function to those involved and constructed legal remedies to address and stop the abuse (Schneider, 1991).Due to the increased awareness of abuse against women, the Government of Canada has made an effort to decrease the occurrence. During whitethorn of 1981, the capital of the United Kingdom Police were the first Canadian natural law department to implement laying charges regarding spousal assault (Department of Justice, 2009). According to the Department of Justice (2009), In May 1982, the suffer of Commons Standing Committee on Health, Welfare and Social Affairs table d its report, Report on Violence in the FamilyWife Battering.In it, the committee storied that police training (at that time) generally instructed against the arrest of a batterer unless he was actually found hitting the victim or unless the victim had suffered injuries that were severe enough to submit a certain number of stitches. During July of 1982, the House of Commons suggested that Parliament push all police to lay charges for acts of wife beating considering they lay charges for other forms of assault (Department of Justice, 2009).It was also suggested in 1983 by the Federal Provincial Task Force on Justice for Victims of Crime that there be written guidelines developed to unionize officers to treat wife assault as a crime and that the act of prosecution be made without the womans consent (Department of Justice, 2009). Guidelines were issued to Crown prosecutors and police as to how to deal with spousal abuse by 1986 from the Attorneys General and Solicitors General (Depa rtment of Justice, 2009). These guidelines required police to file charges if they had reasonable grounds to believe the women had been assaulted (Department of Justice, 2009).The Government of Canada has been making adjustments to current bills. Bill C-15 was reintroduced in March of 2001 with the proposal of increasing the clock time of criminal harassment to ten years from the anterior five year sentence (Department of Justice, 2009). Bill C-79 had been amended in December of 1999, to facilitate victims participation as well as that of the witnesses during the process of criminal justice (Department of Justice, 2009). For example, forwards the accused can be released on bail, the safety of the victim must be taken into account (Department of Justice, 2009).Bill C-27 was reformed and enforced in May of 1997 it redefined the definition of criminal harassment (Department of Justice, 2009). During a sentencing of the accused, Bill C-27 also requires that the courts take breaching of court orders into consideration (Department of Justice, 2009). Bill C-41 which discusses sentencing was amended in 1996 thus allowing women to seek requital for expenses accumulated from the needing to leave their house due to the abuse. (Department of Justice, 2009). Bill C-42 was reinforced during February of 1995 thus making it easier for victims to receive peace bonds.Individuals and the police are now able to collect a peace bond on a victims behalf who is at risk of harm (Department of Justice, 2009). The penalty for violating a peace bond has been raised from half a year to two years (Department of Justice, 2009). The final bill reformed was Bill C-126 which created a new charge of criminal harassment cognise as anti-stalking (Department of Justice, 2009). Shelter programs have been a way of society trying to admirer women of domestic violence (Koss, White Kazdin, 2011, p. 185). These programs have advanced a quid since they were introduced.Early shelters were only a ble to offer temporary support in the form of beds (Koss, White Kazdin, 2011, p. 185). Fortunately, shelter programs have advanced to offer more nimble services to the victims. Today, many of the programs offer emergency shelter, support groups, crisis lines which are open 24/7, counseling services, programs for children and advocacy for the victims (Koss, White Kazdin, 2011, p. 185). Fortunately, shelters have educated victims on their rights and options, taught them nigh community resources, shown them additional safety strategies and given them hope for the upcoming (Sullivan, OHalloran Lyon, 2008).First response teams are in place to provide safety to victimized women. The team usually consists of social workers and/or trained advocates who assist police officers during or shortly after domestic violence arrests occur (Koss, White Kazdin, 2011, p. 185). These teams evoke the message to abusers that legal consequences result from their harmful behavior and they also educa te victims about resources and community services available (Koss, White Kazdin, 2011, p. 185). Discussion There are many ways in which society suffers from domestic violence against women.Family relationships suffer severely when women endure these unhealthy relationships (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. 6). Family members are harmed as well (Duffy Momirov, 19997, p. 6) for example notice violence can affect the observer in a physical, mental, and/or emotional manner. Victims of the violence may feel humiliated (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. 6). One reason a victim may feel humiliated is that the abuser is a loved one for whom they trust (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. 6). The humiliation is usually experienced not only by the victim but also the accused but this may occur at differing times (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. ).The victim is likely to experience shame due to the belief that they are being attacked (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. 6). Considering society doesnt want to experience negative emotion s, the victims and/or accusers may try to exclude the feeling of shame thus leading to the possibility of them enough violent (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. 6). The act of violence also affects those who witness it (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. 6). Those who have witnessed violence and then engage in relationships with others are likely to take a shit that their relationships are tainted (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. ). Due to these tainted relationships, institutions such as the police, the penal system, social services and the courts get involved with the issue to try and break the stave (Duffy Momirov, 19997, p. 6). Individuals fail to intervene in conflicts of domestic violence due to existent stereotypes.Many people shut away feel as though the issue is still a private matter, should only be dealt and discussed within the family and this it is a minor offence (Berry, 2000, p. 23). Unfortunately, people also believe they are friendless and cannot stop it issue from occurring (Berry, 2000, p. 3). Many people still believe that the issue is rare, thus they may train them self to believe it isnt really occurring (Berry, 2000, p. 22). It is believed by some that women are naturally passive and men are to be inherently aggressive, therefore abuse is inevitable and part of human nature (Berry, 2000, p. 23). Some believe that the women chivvy the violence through getting angry at the man, nagging, or speaking their minds thus leading to the women deserving to be beaten (Berry, 2000, p. 22).Furthermore others believe it is a problem due to increased poverty or stress, thus making it limited to those of a lower class (Berry, 2000, 23). Despite the negative consequences women face in these abusive relationships with men, some choose to not seek help. Many women may feel as though they are forced to stay in these relationships to avoid becoming a lone mother living a life of poverty (Crow Gotell, 2009, p. 85). One can understand why women may fear becoming victims of po verty because despite their wages increasing, they still earn far less than men (Crow Gotell, 20009, p. 5). Walikhanna (2009) has many thoughts of why women stay 1) women may keep the issue profound for the sake of their children 2) education or training may be lacking thus they are dependent on the man 3) they may believe the abuse is part of their fate or a way of living (p. 72).The women may fear the man will seek revenge (Department of Justice, 2009). Victims may live in isolated communities or face communication, cultural or language barriers (Department of Justice, 2009). Furthermore, these are but few of the reasons the issue is still prevalent thus the authorities are unable to intervene. Sometimes strategies engaged prove to be ineffective. During the beginning of an abusive relationship, the women usually employ various strategies to diminish the violence (Denmark, Rabinowitz Sechzer, 2005, p. 398). They may call the police, seek the help of family members or the church , turn to their doctors or try to change their characteristics which the man criticizes (Denmark, Rabinowitz Sechzer, 2005, p. 396).Unfortunately, they men will find other ways to criticize the women, the police may only diffuse the present situation, family members and/or the church may advise the women to do everything in the relationship to salvage their families and doctors may respond to the women with sleeping pills, antidepressants and tranquilizers (Denmark, Rabinowitz Sechzer, 2005, p. 396). early Outcome Despite all the changes society has implemented, more needs to be done to make this issue non-existent. Lots of cases in which the women are abused go unreported to police but fortunately the reported cases have increased (Department of Justice, 2009).Presently, the stigma once attached to women who admit to being victimized and seek help has declined (Berry, p. 22). Fortunately, as more stories make public awareness, their attitudes regarding the issue their attitudes are changing they are becoming more aware of its detrimental effects as well as the negative consequences of not getting involved (Berry 1995). Community implemented programs attacking domestic violence has also seen amazing results (Berry, 1995, p. 27). The effectiveness of all future outreach programs depend on the communities attitudes (Sen, 1999, p. 37).It has been suggested that all money used to stop domestic violence has promoted the victim instead providing social solutions (Sen, 1999, p. 37). For Example the accused are threaten with a jail sense instead of trying to change the mans ideology which causes to seek power though the use of violence and intimidation (Sen, 1999, p. 37). Futhermore it has been thought that men who abuse women do not believe they are criminals one study found that 80 percent of those accused has no previous contact with the law (Sen, 1999, p. 36).Unfortunately, recognizing an abuser is not easy (Walikhanna, 2009, p. 3), therefore one way of interv ening in cases of domestic violence is being able to recognize the signs. Signs of a women being abused include being anxious or afraid to please their man, doing everything he says, going along with what he does, women checking in with their partner often to report their actions, constant harassing telephone calls or the women discussing her partner as possessive, jealous or having a temper (Smith Segal, 2011). Signs of physical use include having betray accidental injuries, constant absences without explanations, and wearing clothing which hides marks (Smith Segal, 2011).Signs of isolation include restrictions to see friends and family, limited access to credit cards, money or a vehicle and rarely being allowed in public without their partner. Furthermore, another type of abuse to observe for is psychological. Signs include low self-esteem, depression, anxiousness, being suicidal and expression of drastic constitution changes (Smith Segal, 2011). Despite various signs to obs erve to identify abuse, it is important to note that these are only signs, just because an individual is experiencing a sign does not mean she is a victim of abuse.These signs are only listed to better help society identify victims. Conclusion This paper discussed the changing of domestic violence from that of a private issue to becoming a public issue. Various attitudes, beliefs and interventions were also discussed. Feminists believe societys emphasis on patriarchal values is linked to women being victimized by men (Watto, 2009, p. 561). Victimization of women is shown through the division of labour. The emergence of feminism lead to domestic violence of women becoming recognized as an issue (Duffy Momirov, 1997, p. 3). Feminism gained successes in relation to various issues. One of their great victorys which had violence against women recognized as an issue arose from the battered womens movement in the 1960s (Schneider, 1991). Following increased awareness of the problem, the G overnment of Canada has implemented various interventions to try and rid the country of the problem. Not only are women victims in this perform but so is society as a whole. Stereotypes are still present causing witnesses not to intervene.Some victims choose not to seek help despite the impact is has on them negatively. Unfortunately, there are victims who try to get help but are unsuccessful. Furthermore, despite all the progress made which deems this behavior unacceptable, it will continue to exist until more progress can be reached. In an effort to rid the future of the problem, emphasis needs to focus on societys attitudes and beliefs as well as being able to recognize possible signs of abuse. Nevertheless, this will hopefully rid society of the issue and if not then hopefully make it one that is near non-existent.