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Domestic Violence in the United States

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Domestic Violence in the United States
Student Name: Nathan Regedanz
Project 1 SOCY 100
Date: 20 April 2009

Introduction The office of domestic violence against women defines domestic violence as pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence does not just affect the immediate victim but is a widespread problem in the United States. Eighthly five percent of domestic violence victims are women (Domestic Violence Facts, 2007). Results of violence can be health care professionals in the treatment of physical injuries, the psychological impact upon the victim, or the aggressive behavior of the abuser. In this project I will analyze the feminist perspective of domestic violence, considering that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Violence against women by their spouses is a life-threatening situation that is not taken seriously by the legal system or by society in general. It often takes a negative turn for counteractive action to be taken and stricter laws to be made. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Domestic violence occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, or dating (About Domestic Violence, 2009). The effect of domestic violence on the economy is great when billions of dollars are being lost to loss of productivity and the cost of medical care.

Characterizing Domestic Violence There are many types of domestic violence are used such as hitting, pushing and slapping and in more serious cases there knives guns and weapons are used. Other forms of domestic violence are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, economic abuse and psychological abuse. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims



References: http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/domviolence.htm (2007).“Domestic Violence Facts” last accessed April 2009. http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf (2009).“About Domestic Violence“ last accessed April 2009. http://www.now.org/issues/violence/stats.html (2009).“ Violence Against Women in the United States: Statistics” last accessed April 2009 (2009) Khan, M. (2000). Domestic Violence against Women and Girls. United Nations Children’s Fund Innocenti Research Centre Florence, Italy. Retrieved April 22, 2009 from http://www.unicef.ca/portal/Secure/Community/502/WCM/WHATWEDO/ChildProtection/pdf/bodyshop/digest6e.pdf

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