Domestic Abuse: A Critical Analysis of Definitions, Causes, and Impacts

This paper explores the multifaceted issue of domestic abuse, examining its definitions, historical and contemporary explanations for its occurrence, and the impact it has on victims. It delves into how personal values and beliefs influence individual behavior, particularly in the context of domestic violence. The paper also critically analyzes the ways in which domestic abuse affects victims in both the short and long term, including physical, psychological, and financial consequences. Finally, it evaluates the role of voluntary and statutory agencies in addressing domestic abuse, considering their work within the framework of national and local policies.

Domestic Abuse
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
1. Identify and debate definitions of domestic abuse and historical and current explanations
for its occurrence........................................................................................................................4
2. Determine how personal values and beliefs may affect individual behaviour and critically
analyze this in relation to domestic abuse..................................................................................6
3. Explore and critically analyze the different ways in which domestic abuse may affect its
different victims in the short and long term...............................................................................8
4. Critically evaluate how the voluntary and statutory agencies work with those living in
situations of domestic abuse in the context of national and local policy.................................10
Conclusion................................................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................12
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Introduction
Domestic violence can be referred to as abuse by one individual against other persons mainly
in a domestic setting like in cohabitation and marriage. In simple words, it is that situation
when one partner of intimate relationship abuses his or her spouse. In the present time,
domestic violence is becoming a major concern of world because most of the societies of the
world are facing various problems because of domestic abuse. The current assignment would
be based on this domestic violence so that its possible solution can be found. Moreover, this
assignment will include different definitions of domestic abuse, its existing and past
explanation of occurrence. This assignment will also determine that how personal beliefs of a
person affect their own behavior and relate to domestic abuse. Also, there would be a
discussion of different ways in which violence affect its victim for both long and short time
period. Furthermore, it will discuss the national and local policy which has introduced for
removing domestic abuse. Also, this assignment would revolve around the given assignment
scenario of Rachel and her husband.
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1. Identify and debate definitions of domestic abuse and historical and current explanations
for its occurrence.
Definitions of Domestic abuse
The American psychological association has defines domestic abuse in a different way.
According to this, violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors which includes a different range
of sexual, physical and psychological mistreatment which is used by one person against
another person who is part of the intimate relationship. Most of the people create domestic
violence just because of gaining power in an unfair manner. There are lots of women who
have suffered from huge problems just because of domestic violence. There are various
results of domestic abuse such as serious injury, psychological harm, and even a death. If one
person of the family appears violent then it is more likely that he will act aggressively outside
the family or in the community (Berns, 2017).
As per the point of view of Bobonis, et. al. (2013), nature of domestic violence can be
referred to as the act of violence which takes place within the context of an intimate
relationship. The violence can take place between the husband and wife or girlfriend and
boyfriend. Sometimes, adult children and elderly parents also get engaged in abusive
activities which influence negative impact on both of them. Further, he said that people do
not abuse each other for gaining power in fact it is their bad behavior which encourages them
to harm other people. The domestic violence can take place in any kind of relationship but
domestic abuse always take place in an intimate relationship which always result in a larger
problem in health terms of the general public (Bobonis, et. al., 2013).
There are various legal and authorized bodies in the world that consider domestic violence as
well as abuse as an incident of controlling, threatening behavior, coercive and violence
between that person who aged 16 or above and also has been significant in interpersonal
relationship. In controlling behavior one person scold and hit another person just because of
personal gain. On the other side, the coercive behavior is a pattern of acts of humiliation and
intimidation which is acted just because of harming another person. As per this definition,
people get engaged in the activity of domestic violence, not because of their behavior but to
harm another person. In the present time, the rate of domestic violence is rapidly increasing
which results in a health problem. This definition of domestic abuse suits the given
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assignment scenario because Rachel was also suffering problems because of controlling
behavior of her husband (Campbell & Messing, 2017).
The historical and current explanation for the occurrence of domestic violence
The society is suffering from domestic violence from last few decades. Childhood abuse and
domestic abuse has become a nightmare. In past time, people get engaged in violence because
of family issues, poor financial problems, and other reasons. As per the historical context,
most of the time old parents become a victim of domestic violence. The problem of domestic
violence was firstly started in the western countries. This problem used to take place because
women were not considered equal to men. But in present time, there are many factors have
been occurred which force domestic violence (Drijber, et. al., 2013).
Social views, different religions, customer, traditions, forced marriages and lack of legislation
are major issues of current era which increases the chances of domestic violence. In many of
the regions, people have different views regarding men and women rights which play major
role in domestic violence. Apart from this, people who belong to different regions also abuse
each other. Moreover, the legal and authorized bodies are also not focusing on the domestic
violence and abuse which is resulting in health problems in public. The domestic violence
results in physical and emotional abuse which is not good for society and future growth of
province.
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2. Determine how personal values and beliefs may affect individual behaviour and critically
analyze this in relation to domestic abuse.
As per the famous psychologists, the personal beliefs, as well as values of person, also affect
their behavior which also includes use of abuse and violence. There are various theories and
concepts which support that how values and beliefs of people affect their behavior and how
to relate to domestic abuse. Some most important theories are family system theory,
frustration-aggression theory, self-attitude theory and perversion theory.
Family system theory, the behavior of individual can be determined by the behavior of his
family. For example, family members would not allow childrens to contact with other
persons than this will affect his attitude and behavior towards other people. So, it is huge
responsibility of family members that they allow their children to make contact with friends
and other persons. It is analyzed that behavior or attitude of children towards other person is
mainly influenced by his or her family members. As per this theory, social as well as family
situation of person plays most significant role in evaluating his violent behavior. Apart from
this, hormonal factors and intra-psychic determinants, social conditioning and behaviorist
position are also responsible for positive or negative behavior of person. If individual belongs
to good family then he would not make any effort to harm society if family members of
person do not allow him to make contact with anyone and also abuse him then it is pretty sure
that he will also engage in abusive activities in future. As per the given case scenario, Rachel
was victim of family abuse as his husband always scolds her on small matters (James, et. al.,
2013).
Frustration-aggression theory, as per this concept some people get easily frustrated for
example when they find themselves unable to reach desired goals. In this situation, flustered
people try to abuse and harm another person which becomes major cause of domestic
violence and abuse. The frustration level of people firstly affects their family and other
relations. The frustration level of Rachel’s husband always forces him to abuse his wife and
harm his children. There are various factors like aggression and innate factor which also
make people frustrated. The aggressive people easily get engage in activities of domestic
violence but on the other side people with low aggressiveness never become part of violence
or adopt abusive behavior.
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Socio-psychological theory, as per this theory people are generally influenced by the external
environmental factors which impact on the behavior of person towards domestic violence.
Some most important factors which influence the behavior of individual or precursors to
violence are family interactional patterns, stressful situations, and everyday interaction. If the
nearby social and psychological factors of the individual are positive then he will always stay
away from violent activities but in case he is surrounded by poor family interactional patterns
then his behavior will also get influenced towards domestic violence and abuse (Letellier &
Island, 2013).
Self-attitude theory, this theory states that any group or culture which supports violence and
abusive behavior may like to boost their image in the eyes of another person as well. This
theory signifies that negative feelings or behavior of persons are result of low self-esteem. In
this situation, people like to beat weak and helpless targets that cannot help themselves. In
simple words, this concept states that person who does not achieve adequate level of self-
esteem become violent. If a person has high self-esteem in society then he will be encouraged
to do those actions by which he can increase social welfare. But on the other side, a person
with low self-esteem normally becomes abductors, rapists, and murderers.
Hence, these are some most important theories which critically analyze that how values of
one person can affect his behavior and force him to engage in domestic violence activities
such as physical and emotional abuse.
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3. Explore and critically analyze the different ways in which domestic abuse may affect its
different victims in the short and long term.
There are various consequences of domestic violence which results in larger problems of
public’s health terms. In present time, domestic abuse has become one of the major concerns
of entire world because rate of violence and humiliation is continuously increasing. There are
various ways through which negative influences of domestic violence can be seen on its
victims. Mainly, domestic violence affects the values and lives of women and children. The
long-term effects of domestic violence are,
Physical, when one person of intimation relationship beat other partners then it results in
broken bones, bruises, internal bleeding and other health and social care problems which can
even result in death of person. In some cases of husband and wife hospitalization and medical
attention also get required. There are some chronic health conditions like irritable bowel
syndrome, arthritis, chronic pain, migraines, and ulcers. As per given case scenario, Rachel
has faced domestic violence even in her pregnancy which results in miscarriage. This type of
health problems can influence huge negative impact on women’s mind and her future health.
The physical and healthcare problems cannot be removes easily hence, it results in long-term
effects of violence (Pallitto, et. al., 2013).
Psychological, besides physical effects there is some psychological effect as well which
influence negative impact on victim for long time period. Some major psychological
problems are fear, stress, and anxiety. All these kind of psychological behavior are
considered as long-term because they do not easily change. Hence, it can be said that
psychological is a long-term effect of domestic violence which creates long-term problem for
its victims.
Hence, these are some major long-term effects of domestic violence and abuse which
influence huge negative impact on the women, children and all family members. Apart from
this, there are some other short-term effects of domestic violence which are,
Financial, if one person continuously engages in domestic violence or adopt abusive behavior
then started losing everything as in property, family, capital and other important
relationships. But if that person tries to change his abusive behavior then he can also gain his
money and friends back again (Pearlman, et. al., 2016). Hence, it can be said that victim of
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Domestic violence suffer from financial loss, but it is considered as short-term effect because
it can be managed by making changes in own behavior.
Depression, it is also a short-term negative effect of domestic violence but it can be removed
by proper medicine and medical instructions. If one person becomes victim of domestic
violence for long time period then he can easily become patient with depression. But once he
started improving his or her abusive behavior or started becoming victim of violence he
comes back to his normal health position.
Alcohol addiction, it has surveyed by some expert people that person who becomes victim of
domestic violence or always get frustrated and starts drinking wine and alcohol. But with the
help of proper care and support of family members or spouse victim can get rid of this
problem.
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4. Critically evaluate how the voluntary and statutory agencies work with those living in
situations of domestic abuse in the context of national and local policy.
Voluntary sector organization or agencies are those which does not generate financial profit
but always operate social activities and practices so that social welfare can be improved as
well as increased. Also, this type of organization is known as non-governmental. Apart from
this, the statutory organization is that which is set up by particular rules and regulations.
There are several government organizations in the world that make initiatives for removing
the domestic violence. To consider the increasing rate of domestic violence all government
organization of all countries has made some special departments which deal with the cases of
domestic abuse and violence (Renzetti & Miley, 2014).
Some most important legal departments are the ministry of justice, department of health, the
home office, government equalities office and the minister for women. The major objectives
of these legal authorities are to respond to domestic violence, remove sexual assaults,
commence national policy and remove human trafficking. There is HM courts and tribunals
service center where victim of domestic violence can ask for help. Apart from this, the
National Health Service provides possible medical assistance to those people who are
suffering from domestic violence and does not have enough money to get medical services.
To consider the child abuse, legal bodies have established child and family court advisory
service that protect the children from emotional and physical abuse. The biggest problem
with these government organizations is that they are filled with corrupt people who do not
take action against domestic violence. Also, they do not take initiatives to solve the problem
of poor people who are suffering from domestic violence (Root & Brown, 2014).
Moreover, there are many voluntary organizations which are also considered as non-profit
organization which provides help shelter and food to those children, men, and women who
are victim of domestic violence. Feminist activism is one of the major contributions of
voluntary organizations which have uncovered the violence against women. There are various
women’s refuges which commenced policies which aimed at housing provisions, welfare
benefits, violent acts and emergency assistance for those who are victim of domestic
violence. The voluntary organization gives core attention to local people and tries to
commence new policies which can help them in overcoming domestic violence. The negative
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side of non-profit organization is that sometimes their staff members mistreats the victims
and also try to exploit them such as women and children.
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Conclusion
Thus, it has been concluded that domestic violence influences huge negative impact on the
society as well as its victim. When two partners have intimation relationship and they, scold
or hit and abuse each other than it is considered as domestic violence. In historical time,
violence took place against the women and mainly target small kids and women but in
present time, the social problem is becoming a major reason for domestic violence. Apart
from this, personal beliefs and value of people also affect their personal behavior which
mainly plays role in domestic violence or abuse. If behaviour of individual is good then he
will not abuse people but if he has rude behaviour then he will easily engage in domestic
violence. Moreover, legal bodies have introduced various policies regarding domestic
violence but for removing this problem from root general people should also contribute their
efforts.
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References
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