Violence Against Women Act and Criminal Justice Effectiveness
Intimate partner violence is one that takes place when the current or former boyfriend or girlfriend and spouse or ex-spouse commits it on their partners. The US experiences 1.3-1.5 million women suffering from intimate violence each year, and the issues keep rising. The Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and other criminal justice-based protective actions are working tirelessly to stop and prevent such violence against women, and intimate partner violence is categorized as a healthcare concern in the country. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey show that 30% of women experience physical violence, 17% are sexually abused, 9% are defiled, and 48% face psychological aggression. Victims suffer, experience pain, and their life is affected significantly. The Violence Against Women Act was a result of women’s movement, law enforcement agencies, and sexual assault advocates created legislation that protected women against all forms of violence. It emphasizes on developing community care and law enforcement, prosecution, victim services, and attorneys. Support groups are funded to help the women victims of intimate partner violence, and the violent acts are made federal crimes when state lines are crossed. Federal penalties are doubled through changes in the criminal justice system. I believe all these efforts are significantly influencing domestic and intimate partner violence in the community.
What Society Can Change to Reduce Intimate Partner Violence
The community should engage all stakeholders to fight intimate partner violence, support the victims, shelter them, offer treatment services, re-train the victims, empower them, and protect vulnerable groups. Couples need to be advised on the benefits of healthy relationships at all levels in the social ecology. Various strategies can be promoted by teaching and creating protective environments to help short- and long-term harm to intimate partner violence.