Types of Domestic Violence

“On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States.During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.” Stated Project Sanctuary, Domestic Violence is violent or aggressive behavior in the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner. This is a sensitive case because there are different forms of domestic violence that is still ongoing today. Domestic violence includes behaviors that physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a partner from doing what they want or force them to act in ways they do not usually act. However, there are many women that go through abuse and stay silent. Usually, to protect their partner, or they fear of what the person would do if they did open their mouth.

Many women do not recognize speaking upon it, for other girls that are experiencing the same thing. This includes the use of physical and sexual violence, threats, emotional and verbal abuse. Regardless of their title, these forms of violence are mentally abusive. These people are capable of manipulating vulnerable people into believing that they are not good enough. Nevertheless, despite what type of domestic violence it is, This is a serious matter and victims are with need of help and support.

Ages ago, women were known for being men’s property. In some countries and religions, Therefore this was okay, it was normal for a woman to get hit by their spouse because they didn’t oblige to their needs and wants since they owned them. These men were their providers, they did not have their own employment or money considering they were housewife’s while these men went to work. Unfortunately, these situations still occur today and is named Physical abuse. This abuse involves individuals intending to cause someone any physical suffering or pain. This includes physically mushing, slapping, choking, pushing,punching, burning and different types of verbal and emotional abuse that the perpetrator is possessing. Battering is another tool using physical, sexual or emotional force to control another person.

According to, Karen M. Hess Police Operations it states “It happens among married and unmarried couples. It may surface after a once-happy relationship takes a wrong turn, or battering may have actually been an element of a relationship as it was forming. Battering tends to worsen over time, sometimes ending in death. Leaving an abusive marriage does not guarantee the battering will end. Women separated from their husbands experience intimate partner violence at rates significantly higher than married, divorced, widowed, or never married women, and divorced women are victimized by an intimate partner at the second highest rate among the marital categories.” There are several red flags that should be noticed when a person is experiencing domestic violence like different behaviors between the partner.

Such as lying to family or friends because of the abusive behavior, being cautious of what is being said around their spouse so they do not react, Dodging quality time with friends and family and lastly choosing to stay with the partner for fear of what the person might do if the relationship ended. Physical abuse can lead to psychological problems, it can cause distrust in other men. “Domestic violence survivors can face ongoing and challenging effects after enduring physical, mental, and emotional abuse. It can take time for a survivor to adjust to living in a safe environment, especially if a perpetrator was severely violent and committed the actions over an extended period of time.” Some mental effects this can cause is depression, anxiety, PTSD and low self-esteem.

Sexual Abuse is another form of domestic violence, Sexual abuse is also referred to as molestation or rape. This is usually undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often executed by using force or by taking advantage of the victim. When the force is immediate of a short amount of time it is called sexual assault. Sexual abuse involves men, women and children. Sexual abuse has been a huge trend in violent victimization. Throughout, the last decade there has been extensive research on how and what sexual abuse is and how sexual abuse affects the minds of children. Sadly According to The National Sexual Violence Resource Center “One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old, 30% of women were between the ages of 11 and 17 at the time of their first completed rape ,12.3% of women were age 10 or younger at the time of their first completed rape victimization and 27.8% of men were age 10 or younger at the time of their first completed rape victimization.” This illustrates how perpetrators usually choose children or teenagers because they are vulnerable and easy to be taken advantage of.

In most sexual assault cases, victims are aware of their perpetrator. “Rape is the most under-reported crime; 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to police. Only 12% of child sexual abuse is reported to the authorities.” Sexual assault cases are known for being the most underrated crime because it occurs so often. As a result of child sexual abuse, there are some parents who allow their children to get abused. “Childhood sexual abuse has been correlated with higher levels of depression, guilt, shame, self-blame, eating disorders, somatic concerns, anxiety, dissociative patterns, repression, denial, sexual problems, and relationship problems. Depression has been found to be the most common long-term symptom among survivors.”

According to this statement many children have experienced this at such a young age or in the middle of their teenage adulting years and it effects their minds. There are many survivors who were able to cope with the abuse in the past and there are certain cases where the victim has experienced a lot trauma, it is difficult to recover.

Lastly, another type of domestic violence is stalking. According to Justice.gov Stalking is defined as engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others. “Current data indicates an estimated 3.4 million persons age 18 or older are victims of stalking each year. The most common types of stalking behavior reported are receiving unwanted phone calls (66 percent), receiving unsolicited letters or e-mail (31 percent), or having rumors spread about oneself (36 percent). About half (46 percent) of stalking victims experienced at least one unwanted contact per week, and 11 percent had been stalked for 5 years or more.” Social media plays a big role in stalking because there are so many people who are catfished and portray themselves as someone they are not. Websites such as Facebook or Instagram, As well as online dating websites like Match, Zoosk, Elite Singles, Our time and Tinder. The intentions of these websites are to connect with others around the world, whether its friends, family or lovers. Unfortunately, because there are so many people active on these websites, it is possible to have a stalker.

However, there are many ways to prevent having a stalker for instance, being aware of your surroundings at all times and being more aware on social media. As well as who is allowed to see your page. Stalking is a serious crime that also goes unlooked due to other situations that require more attention. Stalking can lead to sexual and physical abuse, most of the victims that get stalked, it’s usually a person that carries specific character traits of being obsessive or compulsive. Many stalkers are usually loners. Considering their lack of other relationships, they become severely attached to the idea of possessing a relationship with the person who they are stalking. Some stalkers are neglected by their parents, and result in difficulty forming attachments with other people later on in life.

Overall there are many types of domestic violence. The real question is How can we help? What can we do? Where do we find the help? Domestic violence involves men, women and children no matter what kind of relationship the person may be in whether it be heterosexual or homosexual. Domestic violence victims are both women and men, although most victims tend to be women. It does not matter what religion, social class or ethnic class the person may be from it affects everyone.

Regardless of their title, these forms of violence are all abusive on a mental level. Being able to manipulate vulnerable people into believing that they are incompetent. Nevertheless, no matter what type of domestic violence it is, This is a serious matter and there are a variety of prevention programs and advocates to seek help.

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