Domestic violence
Background
Domestic violence is economic, sexual, or psychological abuse committed by family members or close partners. Research shows that living with domestic violence can cause physical and emotional effects such as depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. Developed and low- income countries intimate partner abuse against women is the major health issue, related to poor physical and mental health. (CAMPBELL,2017). According to the literature review by Campbell physical and mental health due to intimate partners include chronic pain, death depression, and post-traumatic stress disorders.
World and Health Organization reports that 13% to 61% of women between 15 to 49 years old experience physical abuse of intimate partner and about 59 % of women reports forced sexual intercourse by a close partner in their generation. Approximately 28 % of the women faced physical exploitation from a close partner during pregnancy. (ABDUL GHANI,2020) Marital rape is also a major form of violence against women. Sexual violence has impacted physical injury which is associated with increased risk of sexual and reproductive health complications. Deaths due to sexual violence may be as a result of HIV infections, suicide, or murder. About 65% of murder-suicide that occurred in the united states is due to intimate spouse violence.
According to the United, Nation reports from different studies conducted domestic violence against women is more prevalent in Ethiopia and other 71 countries are also affected. In the united states, women are mostly affected by domestic violence and in every four women, one is a victim. (WOODLOCK,2017) Approximately 12 billion per year is the national economic cost against family and domestic violence in the united nation. Domestic violence is the major root of nonfatal injuries to females in the united states. Research shows that most of the domestic violence among women in perinatal periods is related to adverse obstetric results. According to the World Health Organization partner exploitation arrays from 23.2% in developed states. Western Pacific and Eastern Mediterranean regions range to 37% and 37.7% respectively.
Introduction
Domestic violence can be intimate spouse violence, domestic misuse, or any mistreatment that takes place between adults practicing homosexual or heterosexual in a romantic relationship. Intimate partner violence is violence by a partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse. It can take various forms such as emotional abuse, sexual assault, psychological abuse, physical abuse, and economical abuse. Economical abuse is limiting someone’s financial freedom. Sexual abuse is engaging someone in forced sexual practice. Physical abuse includes assault such as pushing, slapping, and choking.
Studies show that 30 % of women globally aged 15 experience intimate partner violence. In 2013 the World Health Organization published a review about partner violence and non-partner sexual violence. The review reveals that 35 percent of women experience sexual violence and violation of human rights. About 38% of all murders of women and 6% of men are committed by a close partner. (CORVO,2018) Partner abuse during pregnancy is related to deliveries of underweight babies. Domestic partner abuse expose children of the victim in low intellectual functioning.
World Health Organization reviews show that most domestic violence results from social-cultural factors, particularly, those that support male authority over the female. The organization identifies that in countries with low domestic violence, women still don’t enjoy equal social status. Most research reveals that domestic violence is caused by imbalance opportunity in power and unequal rights are the major contributors to the problem.
Before 1800s wife-beating was viewed by legal actions view the wife as a legal action of the husband’s power over his wife. It was until 1641 when body liberty declared that the wife should free of stripes from her spouse. Party-political agitation in the 19th century led to a change in legislative options on domestic violence in the united states and other countries. By 1993 united states published strategies for provoking domestic violence. (CALEYACHETTY,2020) The publication urged countries to view domestic violence as a criminal act. Recently domestic violence has been given more attention, the establishment of the domestic violence act was enacted in 2005.
This paper will analyze domestic violence which is sexual abuse particularly, intimate partner violence. This research is important as most sexual abuse affects women. It is estimated that one in three women faces sexual abuse in her time. About 2 million women and 80000 men experience sexual abuse. (QURESHI,2017) Since the 1970s sexual abuse became a public concern and legal actions were taken against it. In 1974 act was enacted against sexual abuse in the united states.
Sexual abuse has become increasingly in recent years due to social networking sites. Internets offers chances for sex offers to practice online grooming activities. Lack of legal protection for lesbians, gay, and bisexual has led sexual abuse to continue to be permitted. Risk factors such as poverty, lack of knowledge, and low self-worth have increased the chances of women and men to engage in sexual abuse.
Several criteria for solving sexual abuse involve working together with the public, policymakers, and legislative to build societies that there is no sexual abuse. Supporting women who have been raped by giving them counseling during the healing process. Providing economic opportunities, mentors, and community programs for youths’ help prevent sexual abuse.
Previous efforts taken by a world health organization to prevent sexual abuse include raising awareness to protect the local communities against sexual abuse. Carrying out campaigns to strengthen efforts to prevent sexual abuse. United in the democratic republic of Congo in organized awareness sessions to combat sexual abuse. Prevention programs that provide psycho-education provide education and towards sexual violence and provide positive alternatives. Primary preventions are offered to young people often in schools.
UNICEF is committed to protecting against sexual abuse by offering medical care and psychological support to the victims. Also, safe planning to address risks to the victims. The organization conducts training to the counselors on the prevention of sexual abuse. Additionally, the organization raises alerts of any allegation related to sexual exploitation.
Australian Government has funded social campaigns that encourage respectful, equal, and healthy relationships. This campaign aims in changing attitudes and behaviors that support violence against women. It targets persons aged 12 to 20 years of age (DOWLING,2018). According to the research published that examines the primary prevention of domestic violence in school students showed that there are promising results of reducing domestic violence.
Recommendations
Domestic violence victims should be provided with assistance and legal advice. Opening uptown Centres where females can get psychological support and funding non-government organizations that assist in preventing domestic violence through awareness and campaigns. Promoting training to professionals working with victims of domestic violence as well as identifying children growing up in domestic violence and taking precautionary measures.
Measures to prevent domestic violence include increasing rehabilitation centers and homes of women facing domestic violence by developing partnerships with authorities responsible for protecting women’s rights. (SCHECHTE & EDLESON 2019). Encouraging people through educational programs and campaigns to take a positive step to reduce and prevent domestic violence by accepting their responsibilities. Also, mass media should teach the community about the consequences and causes of domestic abuse.
Creating cooperation between administration departments and non-governmental institutions in fighting domestic violence. Educating people on gender and non-violence behavior equality at an initial stage as well as adequate training of teachers dealing with gender equality.
A legal measure that should be practiced includes: state legislation should forbid any form of domestic violence by introducing effective legal action. Marital rape should be made criminal offenses and accessing justice should be made easier for the victims. Protection of victims of domestic abuse after the incident and taking lawful procedures. Reinforcement of societal protection measures so as women injured during violation is provided in the social protection scheme. Enable training of health personnel in recognizing the victim of violence. Funding refugee women who are victims of domestic abuse independent rights of dwelling.
Encouraging women who face intimate partner violence to learn self-defense techniques. Establishing special information programs for men to prevent domestic violence. National legislation should treat domestic violence as a serious criminal offense. Legal institutions should establish more convenient systems for defending women against domestic violence. Police and act implementation should be allowed to perform investigations and get evidence on behalf of a victim of domestic abuse.
Reference
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Qureshi, S. (2017). Utilizing Florida’s Stance on Domestic Violence Laws Regarding Same-Sex Couples as an Effective Model for National Uniformity. U. Fla. JL & Pub. Poly, 28, 143.
Abdul Ghani, M., Ahmad, N. A., & Mohamad, A. (2016). Profiles of domestic violence victims and perpetrators: a qualitative research perspective. Journal of Advanced Research in Social and Behavioural Sciences, 4(1), 43-50.
Corvo, K., Sonkin, D., & Cooney, M. (2018). Attachment security priming and domestic violence: Augmenting biopsychosocial treatment of perpetrators. Partner Abuse, 9(2), 202-212
Dowling, C., Morgan, A., Hulme, S., Manning, M., & Wong, G. (2018). Protection orders for domestic violence: A systematic review. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, (551), 1.
Caleyachetty, R., Uthman, O. A., Bekele, H. N., Martín-Cañavate, R., Marais, D., Coles, J., … & Koniz-Booher, P. (2019). Maternal exposure to intimate partner violence in 51 low-income and middle-income countries: A population-based cross-sectional study. PLoS medicine, 16(10), e1002921
Campbell, J. C. (2017). Health consequences of intimate partner violence. The Lancet, 359(9314), 1331-1336.
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Family Violence Department, Schechter, S., & Edleson, J. L. (2019). Effective intervention in domestic violence & child maltreatment cases: Guidelines for policy and practice: Recommendations. The Council.