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Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a crime of epidemic proportions that plaques our society and causes permanent emotional scars, life-threatening injuries and death. Domestic violence occurs regardless of age, race, ethnicity, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and religious background.

 

Power and Control in Domestic Violence

Battering constitutes 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.

The violence is characterized by:

  • physical
  • sexual
  • emotional
  • economic

    Domestic violence robs victims of their fundamental right to maintain control over their own lives. . Domestic violence is a substantial public health problem for Americans, that has serious consequences and costs for individuals, families and communities.

  • Every 9 seconds the crime of battering occurs
  • Nearly one million incidents of non-lethal domestic violence occurred each year from 1992-1996; although both men and women can be victims of domestic violence, a striking 85% of the victims were women
  • About one-fourth of all violence-related hospital and emergency room visits by women result from domestic violence.
  • Nearly one-third of American women (31%) report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives.
  • 38% of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year.
  • A National Institute of Justice study estimates that domestic violence accounts for almost 15% of total crime costs $67 billion per year
  • Domestic violence incidents account for the largest category of calls to police each year. One-third of all police time is spent responding to domestic violence calls.

     

    Domestic Violence and the Older Woman

    Many older women, because of generational values may consider what’s happening to them normal, because of how they were raised and what was considered acceptable “back then.” She may be embarrassed or ashamed to disclose the abuse considering how long she has been married. What was deemed acceptable behavior then is now a crime. Due to life circumstances specific to the aging population, many older battered women deal with a special set of obstacles and concerns not encountered by younger women. Older battered women are less likely to seek help because:

  • they may depend on the abuser for physical care
  • they have raised in an era where their needs take a back seat to the male’s needs
  • they fear nursing home placement
  • they feel asking for help through social agencies shows a sign of weakness and of personal failure
  • they fear the stigma attached to divorce

    Due to their age and their beliefs, some older women may have difficulty understanding what is happening to them, and as a result, may not seek help.

     


    I gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in
    which I must stop and look fear in the face.

    I say to myself, “I’ve lived though this and can take the
    next thing that comes along”

    We must do the things we think we cannot do, if we wish
    to grow and really live life.

    -Eleanor Roosevelt

     

    Update test 02.06.2007 






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