Domestic Violence

Domestic violence (DV) is found in our society way too often and something needs to be done. There are a variety of reasons why people need to speak out against domestic violence. One finding shows that most abusers will continue to abuse until they are punished for their action, punishment could include being arrested. Another finding showed that domestic violence doesn't only have to be physical but it can also be mental to anyone that is being the Vitim of a terrible act. The third reason is that help is available, there are temporary domestic violence shelters and long-term shelters and mental and physical help for any victim that is in need.

The "Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence " (2007) website defines domestic violence as a pattern of behavior that includes the use or threat of violence and intimidation for the purpose of gaining power and control over another person. Violence can be looked at as, physical abuse, sexual abuse, economic abuse, isolation, emotional abuse, control and verbal abuse.

Domestic Violence effect on children:

According to "Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence " (2007) states that slightly more than half of female victim or intimate partner violence live in a household with children under the age of 12, each year thousands of American children witness intimate partner violence within their own families. Witnessing violence is a risk factor for long term physical and mental health problems in a child. A child that witnesses domestic violence in a home has a greater chance of suffering from alcohol and substance abuse and being the victim of abuse themselves, or later down the road having a domestic violence problem of their own.

Women are not the only victims of abuse. Children who live in a

situation where domestic violence is common will suffer in many ways. The

psychological impact of observing violence among many children is just as

serious as if they were the victims of physical or sexual abuse themselves.

These children who watch abuse in their own home can be affected in many unseen ways, and oftentimes all the unseen problems go untreated. If an abused woman does not have the guts to stand up for her own safety, the least she can do is protect her children. An abused woman is an innocent victim, but the children are even more innocent because they can't comprehend what's going on. These children often show signs of emotional distress and immature behavior at a very young age. These symptoms might affect their behavior throughout their adolescent and adult lives. Most experts believe that children, who are raised in abusive homes, learn that violence is an effective way to resolve conflicts and problems, or it's a part of family relationships.

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