Domestic Abuse And Domestic Violence

In the most recent data available from 2015, it was disclosed that nearly 92,000 Canadians had report to the police an incident related to domestic violence; of this number, 80% of them were women (Burczycka, 2017). It is then no surprise that intimate partnership violence has been found to be one of the major causes of violence against women in Canada (Ministry of the Status of Women, 2015). Many agencies focus on supporting directly the female victims and providing them with secured shelters and safe spaces to rebuild themselves after leaving their abusive relationship (Shelter Safe, 2017). However, a need to address domestic violence from the roots arose in Ontario1982, when the community identified a gap in the offer of programs

Another journal article focusing on differences in domestic violence in Canada and Quebec by Douglas A. Brownridge(2002) has an interesting result in relation to occurrence of domestic violence and socio-economic status and education. It compares results collected from Quebec and rest of Canada. It finds that women with higher education experienced lower violence in Quebec but women with higher education experienced higher violence in the rest of Canada. This might be because of the notion of liberal views held in Quebec by males, and therefore would feel less threatened by highly educated women. This could also be because of the man is financially dependent on the

The purpose of finding the appropriate definition of domestic violence is to clearly distinguish domestic violence from physical violence in general. Due to its nature, cases of domestic violence require specific treatment and perspective as it can be identified in many concealed forms and would not leave behind physical wounds. Therefore to know the types and forms of violence the victims have to face is crucial to develop a legal response.

Intimate partner abuse describes physical, sexual, and psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse (Fanslow, McMahon, Saltzman, & Shelley, 2002). Healthy people 2020 recognizes physical violence among intimate partners as a topic that should be addressed concerning injury and violence prevention in the United States (Healthy People 2020, 2014). Intimate Partner Abuse is an issue that often affects entire families, not just the person that is being abused. Several historical studies attempt to make a connection between intimate partner abuse and homeless. Browne 's research showed that 50 percent of the homeless women interviewed were the victims of abuse

Social interaction for the victims of domestic abuse becomes very difficult. It does not matter which of the many types they have experienced. They have been manipulated into losing their self-confidence, and could believe they do not have what it takes to function in public. There is a real fear of putting themselves out of their comfort zone. In many cases, the victim of abuse is embarrassed and worried what others will think of their appearance or that they may behave differently than expected.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as sexual, physical or psychological abuse by a current or past spouse or partner and is one of the largest public issues the Unites States faces today. It is estimated that roughly 15.5 million children live in a household effected by IPV in the United States (Gustafsson, Coffman, Cox 2014). Children who are effected by IPV are more likely to have behavioral issues along with their development being negatively impacted (O'Campo, Caughy, Nettles 2010). It is important to research IPV to see how it can be minimized as much as possible along with seeing how people are effected by IPV.

The domestic violence field at first was, was a field I never saw myself interested in. Now, after the trauma in my past I have met some incredible people who work in this field and perform amazing work by helping these people. My therapist Erin Scholezenski, is a trauma therapist that only works with children and adults that have suffered trauma through domestic violence, self-harm, rape, verbal and physical abuse and major trauma events such as the Aurora Movie Theater Shooting. She has her own private practice in Parker, Co and is the Director at Aurora Mental Health Center off Parker and Hampden. Going into this interview, I went in knowing some background of domestic violence but not knowing how this field can impact the therapist that is helping these clients get past their trauma. I wanted to know how domestic violence has affected her life and why she stopped working with perpetrators. I made this my main focus of the interview.

What is intimate partner violence? Intimate partner violence is when a partner is physical and sexually abused. Intimate violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples. Twenty seven percent of women and nearly 12% of men in the United States have experienced contact sexual, violence, physical, or stalking by an intimate partner (Prevent Domestic Violence in Your Community, 2014). 85% of women are victims of domestic violence.1/3 of American women and ¼ of women worldwide will experience domestic/dating violence in their lifetime. (11 Facts About Domestic And Dating Violence, 2014)

Intimate partner violence (IPV) which falls into the category of domestic violence, is an epidemic among individuals in every community affecting twelve million men and women each year. IPV has no discrimination when it comes to characteristics of the victims. Although victims of IPV are predominately female, men are just as capable of becoming victims as well. The term intimate partner violence describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner (CDC, 2015). Such violence does not always require sexual intimacy and can occur among same-sex or heterosexual couples. Some risk factors for IPV victimization include: previous childhood victimization, low self-esteem, young age, low income, and heavy drug and alcohol use.

“Domestic violence is a type of abuse by one or both partners in marriage, friends, family, dating or cohabitation” (Aziz & Mahmoud, 2010). There are many forms of abuse from verbal and emotional to physical that often escalates over time in intensity for the victim. Data from the criminal justice system, hospital patient medical records and mental health records, police reports, surveys and social services reports of thousands of women revealed that many are injured and killed as a result of violence from someone close to them. “The US Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender” (Robertson & Murachver, 2009). Researchers and the criminal justice system have not been able to agree on a clear definition to domestic violence which can range from physical injury, stalking, verbal abuse and humiliation, denial of shelter and access to money, and intimidation through aggressive behaviors. The definition of domestic violence may vary but the results from physical injury, mental and emotional trauma, and sometimes even death can last a life time.

When looking into the world of intimate partner violence, a major factor involves hearing the victim’s story. Their story can tell people how the abuse occurred and how it is approached by society. The stories can also show similarities within each other. They show the overlooking topics that encompass intimate partner violence, such as power and control and how the abusers achieve it. Throughout the sections, stories show how abuse can affect anyone in a variety of ways.

Ehlers & Clark (2000) "encourages victim’s to identify their core beliefs as it is crucial for the practitioner to have insight into how the victim has internalized trauma, often believing that they are the root cause of the domestic violence that have experienced." To this regard, women can share like experiences and as they tell their story, a little bit more of their psyche heals.

RELATE TOPIC TO AUDIENCE: As I mentioned, domestic violence is something that affects everyone of

Underreported and underestimated, domestic abuse rips families apart every single day. Domestic violence comes in mainly five different forms, physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and economic. This violence ruins families, demoralizes the victims, and the public downplays the household terrorism that goes on every day. Generally thought of as taboo, the public belittles and humorizes domestic abuse as a way to deal with it, that avoidance must come to an end.

In order to recognize the outcomes of domestic violence, it is key to know precisely what domestic violence is. Domestic violence is anything that involves physical damage, sexual assault, or distress of physical damage. In order to aid individuals who are going through domestic violence, it is fundamental to have a healthier understanding of what triggers domestic violence and how it affects the mistreated, abuser, and children of the mistreated.