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PROBLEMS FACED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

Problems Faced by Domestic Violence Victims

Katrina Gossage
Southern New Hampshire University

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PROBLEMS FACED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

Prior to the occurrence of the domestic violence movement, beating your

wife was acceptable, but the movement provided education on the dangers of
domestic violence, it also lead to the creation of laws making domestic violence
illegal, which then lead to the creation of resources that were previously
unavailable, which all are indications of the steps taken to stop domestic violence:
however because this problem is societal, people remain confused, which
combined with statistics, it has been made clear more effort needs to be taken to
stop this problem or it will never stop occurring.
Domestic violence can be seen as an epidemic, an issue that has not
always been illegal. It was not until about 1975 that domestic violence really
began to gain awareness and literature began being published. Despite all the
effort put into stopping domestic violence, including making it illegal, the stigma
that once made it acceptable to abuse your spouse still plays a big role in just
sweeping the domestic abuse under the rug as though it is no big deal. Prior to the
domestic violence movement society and gender roles made it perfectly
acceptable to beat your wife, although this belief is considered wrong today, and
despite all the changes that have occurred to fix it every day, women continued to
be blamed for the abuse they experience. Although domestic violence is illegal
some people still either ignore it because it is not their problem or some choose to
blame the victim. It is because of how much this issue concerns society that
makes it a societal issue, which is why the problem continues to evolve
(Jones,1994). This leaves two big questions; is domestic violence ok? And who
should we blame?

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PROBLEMS FACED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

Domestic violence is also referred to as intimate partner violence, and can

be seen to be rooted to the patriarchal family. The belief used to be, and even still
continues to be at a lesser extent, that wives basically belonged to their husband
and that men were seen as being the head of household. Implanted into past and
even current social traditions is that the head of household controls the other
members of the familys behavior and attitudes. In the past, as a result, women
mostly lacked the ability to go to work, where stuck at home, responsible to raise
children, all of which resulted in women being economically dependent on their
husband. This is one of the biggest problems a woman faces because it makes
leaving an abusive relationship very difficult. Less of this occurs today, but these
beliefs do still exist (Jones,1994).
Until the domestic violence movement domestic violence was ignored by
the justice system, with police hesitant or unwilling to interfere with family life.
Today more effort by the justice system is present, even to the point of saying that
some effectiveness exists when dealing with domestic violence. This gas to due
with more training being offered to system employees educate on this issue,
however despite this change it is still too often the justice systems fails these
victims. Since the movement there now are domestic violence shelters and safe
houses that are temporary; however, they hardly address a fraction of women who
need the help. Often times addresses can be found for these places at the local
courthouse, which results in lack of protection to the victims.Today we can see
domestic violence being talked about more openly and victims are more likely to
know where to turn for some help. Regardless of these changes and the effort put

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forward women are still more likely to die from battering in the United States
(Jones, 1994).
Many women live with domestic violence, but not surprisingly others
decide to get out. Battering has also been indicated to also be responsible for
women attempting suicide. It can be seen that half or more of the women and
children that are homeless in the United States are fleeing from domestic
violence. The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) indicated during
2003-2012 that domestic violence was committed almost 80% of the time against
females, that almost 80% of the time it occurred at or near the victims home, and
that about 20% of violent crimes are a result of domestic violence (Truman &
Morgan, 2014). These statistics indicate how serious of an issue domestic
violence is, especially towards woman. If men continue seeing these statistics it
will only make them see domestic violence is acceptable, which is why we need
to work to end domestic violence, before these statistics become worse.
The general profile of a batterer included many characteristics, one of
which is seeing the woman as an object and not a person. Often times the batterer
is in denial of his own behaviors and actions, most of the time blaming the victim.
Often times women who are abused fear retaliation from their abuser, in regards
to leaving the abusive situation or in attempts to make the situation better
(Jones,1994). Often times it is seen that two or more kinds of abuse will exist in
each domestic violence relationships. Men can try to use a number of excuses,
like I did not mean to, however it is clear he is doing it because he knows he can
get away with it. In the 1970s what was first used to address domestic violence,

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with the attempt to also explain it, is what is referred to as the cycle of abuse
model. The cycle of violence is indicated to have three phases that repeats over
and over; the tension building phase, then the explosion phase, following lastly
with the honeymoon phase (Meadows, 2010).
In the tension building phase there may be some physical abuse, however
verbal abuse is almost always seen commonly. Often it can be seen in this phase
that women are preparing for violence to occur so typically they will try to calm
the batter or force the situation to escalate quicker to just get the abuse to happen
and be over. Usually it is physical abuse seen in the explosion phase, in which
during this phase woman typically will have no control over what happens.
Finally, in the honeymoon phase the batter will become remorseful and make
promises to not do it again, and also will likely become very loving. This is the
phase that gives women hope that the abuse will stop, which was addressed in the
1990s with the creation of the power and control wheel (Robinson, 2013).
The power and control wheel presented phases which demonstrates that
the abuse worsens through phases and that reaching the last phase will likely
result in severe injury or death of the victim. The power of control wheel does not
offer the victim the false hope that the cycle of abuse model has been indicated to
do. Instead it shows the victim that the dangers of the abuse and that the abuse is
about power and control, and it is also used to show family and friends of the
victim what to expect in an abusive relationship and the dangers in leaving one.
Another reason the cycle of abuse model is frowned upon is because it can be
used to blame the victim, and in the past (more then we see today) has been used

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PROBLEMS FACED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

to do just that. For example, in court the victim may be asked why did you not
leave during the calm phase? (Robinson, 2013).
Abuse can take many forms in a domestic violence relationship, at times
including more than one type of abuse being experienced at the same time. The
abuser seeks power and control and will use any type of abuse to accomplish this,
all of which negatively affect the victim. Studies show emotional abuse can be as
bad as physical abuse (Nicarthy, 2004). Domestic violence can also end up
becoming psychologically defined, such as a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress
syndrome (Whitbourne, & Halgin, 2013). Verbal abuse is a form of abuse that is a
common type of abuse used and seen to occur most often in abusive relationships,
as this form of abuse can occur without violence, but can be worse than abuse
with violence (Evans, 1996). With this in mind the indication is we need to hold
an open mind about the occurrence of domestic violence abuse, which would
include the best way to help and the best way to stop it. Domestic violence abuse
can not only be traumatizing but can also be detrimental to the victim, like
receiving even worse abuse or torture (Jones,1994). This is why we need to not
only take a stand against domestic violence, but we also need to work harder to
provide resources and legal help to those in need.
Physical abuse occurs when the abuser acts with the intent or planned
intent to cause physical pain or injury to the victim. When the abusers actions fall
within the legal definition of rape, the abuser makes sexual demands their partner
is not comfortable with, or the abuser psychically assaults sexual parts of their
partners body is what is considered to be sexual abuse (Meadows, 2010). Aside

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PROBLEMS FACED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

from these types of abuse there are many others, which include social isolation,
economic abuse, stalking, and legal abuse. All of which the abuser does in attempt
to isolate the victim so the abuser can gain power and control over the victim.
Even though it is possible for any type of abuse to be experienced alone, it is
difficult to think one would experience a physical type of abuse without feeling
psychological or emotional harm (Jones, 1994).
Economic abuse occurs when a woman is stopped from getting a job, has
her money taken from her, is required to ask for money, and when she has to live
by receiving an allowance. A common tactic used in legal abuse, by the abuser, is
using the children, which is done by threatening to take the children from the
women, having the children pass messages, and other things like using visits as a
mean to harass her. Often times legal abuse occurs when the abuser forces the
victim into a vicious legal battle, over custody of children. This includes dragging
out court proceedings, failing to give the victim what they deserve according to
the law, failing to pay child support or alimony, and other various things that
ultimately allow the abuser to continue abusing the victim (Meadows, 2010).
This form of abuse combined with the fathers rights movement and lack
of training for judicial employees has only furthered the problem of domestic
violence, in the legal system. Research shows since the father rights movement
started the fathers rights are most often granted when the father comes forward
asking for them. The Movement for fathers rights was a good step, however the
timing was inappropriate because the domestic violence movement had just taken
off and this only added confusion to both movements. These movements

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PROBLEMS FACED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

occurring so closely only left people trying to figure out what the right thing to do
was, knowing if their actions where wrong there would be some sort of
consequences (Jones,1994). All too often it can be heard that the court system
failed to protect a woman from abuse. Our system requires that for a protection
order to be granted proof is required of the abuse to show violation, however this
interpretation is up to the person responsible for granting a decision so it may be a
different decision from person to person (Meadows, 2010).
There are many factors into why a woman decides to stay. This includes
how often the violent episodes occur, how much they believe in the traditional
value of for better or worse, how often there are good times, and not wanting to
take the children from their father. Another factor has to do with fear, the amount
of manipulation they experience, intimidation, love, and hope which together
could make her want to stay or go. Leaving can be a difficult choice because of
the great risk of being killed (Nicarthy, 2004). There are many reasons women
make the choice to stay with their abuser, but not all of these reasons make since
to everyone, what is even worse is some would rather blame the victim to
avoiding understanding or helping the victim. Women stay with their abuser for
many reasons, often time the biggest reason being fear. In some cases, the abuse
can be so bad a woman is unable to focus on leaving, instead she has all she can
do to focus on living day to day (Jones,1994).
It is hard to take a stand on an issue and stop it when often times it goes
unreported, even when we know that regardless if a woman decides to stay or
leave her abuser he will try to hurt her again. Research indicates that the risk of

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PROBLEMS FACED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

violence to the victim will drastically increase when she leaves, with the risk of
harm staying present for at least six months after leaving. Research also shows
that the abuser will seek power and control over the victim at any costs, which all
too often ends when the abuser kills the victim (The National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence (NCADV), 2015). Statistics show that women need help and
support to leave their abuser, because it is the safest way to do so. In order to
make it so women can leave an abusive relationship and not face retaliation we
need to see domestic abuse as a societal issue and take a firm stance against it.
More resources need to be available for victims and the courts need to have the
training needed to protect victims, otherwise this issue will be continued to be
swept under the rug until it reaches an explosion point. A lot of domestic violence
victims lack much needed community resources that would make it possible for
them to get out of the abusive relationship they are in (Jones, 1994).
Some issues pertaining to domestic violence cannot simply be addressed
by only one resource or one specific field, but instead require a collaboration
among many different fields, being necessary because domestic violence is a
social issue that produces so many different ideas often at some point a victim
will receive inaccurate information. Domestic violence has not always been
illegal, despite changes within the justice system stereotypical values still
continue to influence police and court practices. Statistics show the first six
months after leaving an abuser is the most dangerous time, with the risk of
violence to the victim increasing drastically, without a collaboration of
community resources and help the victim may not able to send the much needed

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message that she is no longer in her abusers control, which will likely only fuel
the abusers rage (Nicarthy, 2004).
Over time we went from men being the bread winners to women in the
work field and even going to college. We use to live in a society where ultimately
women were seen as slaves. Women were expected to raise kids and keep the
house clean, while men worked. Now it is seen for either to be playing either role.
Role of men and women has transformed into what works best for everyone, in
most cases. However, some people still believe women have their place, which in
court sometimes we see as judges ignore what is going on because it conflicts
with what they were always taught, such as when Edith Jones threw out a sexual
harassment case where a woman was being groped and abused at a mill (Jones v.
Flagship Intern).
The stigma created when it was ok to beat your wife made it not other
peoples problems, but as this view has changed people are still afraid of the
changing views. The training needed to educate those in the legal and state
systems is mostly inadequate, leaving these people to make decisions based on
what they think is ok and what they believe is right. The result of our beliefs
being shaped from others around us we at times find ourselves facing a situation
where we have to question to stay with former beliefs or grow our beliefs and
understand our original beliefs were not exactly correct. There is a big margin for
error here based on bias from one opinion or another. Women need adequate help
to leave and if the systems that are in place to help them fail then what are they

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supposed to do; it is hard to know who she supposed to trust, or if they will be
able to get out before they are killed.
Victims of domestic violence can experience many forms of abuse,
leaving them with many challenges to face, while having to weigh out the
challenges and decide should I stay or should I leave.

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PROBLEMS FACED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

References
Evans, P. (1996). The verbally abusive relationship: How to recognize it
and how to respond (2nd ed.). Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corporation.
Jones, A. (1994). Next time, shell be dead: Battering & how to stop it.
Boston, MA: Beacon Press.
Jones v. Flagship Intern., 793 F. 2d 714 - Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
1986
Meadows, R. J. (2010). Understanding violence and victimization (5th
ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, INC
NiCarthy, G. (2004). Getting free: You can end abuse and take back your
life (4th ed.). Emeryville, CA: Seal Press.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). (2015).
Home. Retrieved from http://www.ncadv.org/2-default?start=8
Truman, J. L., & Morgan, R. E. (2014). Nonfatal Domestic Violence,
20032012 (NCJ244697). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Justice website:
http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=4984
Robinson, K. (2013, August 15). Is Abuse Really a Cycle? Retrieved
from http://www.thehotline.org/2013/08/is-abuse-really-a-cycle/
Whitbourne, S. K., & Halgin, R. (2013). Abnormal Psychology: Clinical
Perspectives on Psychological Disorders With Dsm-5 Update (7th ed.). New
York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

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PROBLEMS FACED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS