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English 1312
Nov/7/14
Running Head: Domestic violence

Domestic Violence: A Review of literature

Samantha Rocha
University of Texas at El Paso

ABSTRACT
Did you know that one in every four women are domestically abused? Not everyone knows this
but theyre over a 1,000 originations available in each state to help those whom are domestically
abused, and those organizations apply to everyone, either its abused women looking for answers
or help, to people looking for information on how to help a friend. Domestic Violence is a
humungous issue all over America. In other countries domestic violence exist but is not
considered as the women being domestically beaten. This literature review will inform the
readers what is the main cause for domestic violence, the ways to help the victims, what exactly
domestic violence is and last but not least if there is any hope or way for this issue to decrease.
An interview has been done and will be included into this review as well as statistics to inform
the readers.

Domestic Violence is a humongous issue that only keeps increasing by the day. Earlier I had said
that one in every four women get brutally domestically beaten by their significant other every
day. Theyre different types of domestic violence such as physical, sexual, emotional or even
psychological actions. Physical and sexual abuse are statistically most effective on women
because of the pain women endure and the results they end up to such as pregnancy or death.
Emotional and psychological abuse is another form of domestic violence which people use to
lower the victims self-esteem/ and or self-worth, as well as intimidating or threaten the victim.
In most therapists eyes its a start of domestic violence at its early stages and will most likely
move up to physical or sexual abuse if the person is not quickly taken in to resolve whatever is
causing the anger. Not only does domestic violence effect the victim but it also effects their
family, school and work surroundings.
NATIONAL STATISTICS
Averaged out, twenty people every minute are victims of domestic violence by their significant
other. One in four women have been physically abused by their significant other. One in five
women have experienced near death experiences while being abused by their significant other.
One in seven women have experienced getting stalked from there potential abuser, which can
also be very intimidating and frightening. Every day more than twenty thousand phone calls are
made to domestic violence hotlines. Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent
crime.2 Between 2003 and 2008, 142 women were murdered in their workplace as a result of
intimate partner violence. This amounts to 22% of workplace homicides among women.4
There had been an interview created by Samantha Rocha. It was five simple questions, she had
interviewed one of her closest friends whose name was kept anonymous. The first question she
had asked was, what is the main reason for domestic violence? The friend had replied with drugs,

she explained that she herself had been a victim, and from what she observed drugs can change a
person into an anger human being and drive them to abuse. Second question was, how many
organizations are available to the public for help or information on domestic violence? She
replied, At first I was not aware that there were any resources of that kind but as I came to see
there are thousands that informative and helpful when it comes to getting out of that situation.
Third question asked what she believed the exact definition of domestic violence is. She replied
with one word, hurt. She explained with any hurt or pain can be domestic violence. Physically
and mentally that abuse exists and in both cases they are both harmful. The fourth question asks,
who does she believe can be effected by domestic violence? She answered, everyone. Women,
men and children, it is the unfortunate truth. Last question asked says, is there any hope that this
issue with decrease or even completely stop? She replied, with no. No, because as long as the
emotion of jealousy and anger exists so will domestic violence.

What is the main cause/purpose of domestic violence?

In many statistics, alcohol and drugs are the beginner to an angry and outraged person that gives
people the strength to begin abusing their significant other. But another main issue is when one
partner feels the need to take control of the relationship therefore their significant other.
Abusers may feel this need to control difficulties in regulating anger and other strong emotions,
or when background. Some men with very traditional beliefs may think they have the right to
control women, stated Goldsmith. Although Alcoholism and drug abuse leads to domestically
abusing their partner, there are some indications that those men who drink heavily, there are rates
of injury but most high-level alcoholics do not abuse their significant other.

According to the study done by the University at Buffalos Research Institute on Addictions,
Men who drink alcohol and have a predisposition for physical violence toward their female
partners are more likely to be violent on the days they drink alcohol, reported by American
Psychological Association Journal Of consulting and Clinical Psychology issued February 2003.
It is said that men when under the influence of alcohol are eight times more likely to abuse than
on days that they are sober. It is also said that when under the influence of alcohol, drink six or
more drinks within the twenty four hours severe violence is likely to occur nineteen times higher.

How many organizations are available for victims of domestic violence?

Many people are not aware of the many ways they can help victims get out of there abusive
relationship. One of the most effective ways is usually by online originations. Calling the police
works half of the time, but majority of the time it causes more abuse afterwards and just enrages
the victims abuser causing more abuse. There are over a million organizations just for domestic
violence in the entire world! And there are over thousands in each state, which anyone could
contact or go online to receive help and or information. There as many as 33,400,000 by just
getting on to google on the internet and searching up Organizations of domestic violence.
There is infomercials on domestic violence as well showing the organizations and always
providing a number to their organization for them who are looking for help and information.

What is the exact definition of domestic violence?

Domestic Violence can be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior to receive power and control
over there significant other. A violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically
involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner. Domestic violence has many meanings to it.
Like I explained earlier there are many forms of domestic violence which are all very hard to

experience, such as physical, sexually, emotional and psychologically. Emotional and verbal
abuse are equal to non-physical behaviors which is threats insults and humiliating. Another is
stalking and financial abuse.

Who can be affected by Domestic violence?

Anyone and everyone can get abused. From young to elderly. Domestic Violence has no age
limit. It happens to everyone! Over five hundred women get severely physically and sexually
abused. Women experience more than four million domestic violences in their lifetime, which
include rape and physical assault. Every year, one in three women end up dead/murdered by their
significant other which is in most cases their abuser.
Domestic violence is so common in families, which why usually women and the children are
always at higher rate of getting abused. Statistics say domestic violence beings from the times six
pm to six am. More than sixty percent domestic violence situations happen at home.

Is there any hope or possibility for domestic violence to decrease?

Although domestic violence is a horrid thing, the truth is there is no ending to it. Earlier in the
literature review there was an interview discussed where the victim The anonomuys friend
spoke and said No, because as long as the emotion of jealousy and anger exists so will domestic
violence. Domestic violence is caused by drugs and alcohol but it is also caused by the
emotions of jealousy and anger. As it is there are already many campaigns and organizations
trying to stop and are against domestic violence, but regardless the issue keeps getting bigger and
will only be getting bigger. So as far as statistics say there is no hop for a decrease in domestic
violence, but there is hope that it will not increase as FASTYLY.

CONCLUSION
Overall, domestic violence is happening everywhere. People, mostly women that are the victims
try to hide it because they either find an excuse, or are financially trapped or simply are too
afraid for their life, there is always a way out! IF you know of anyone who is a victim or you
yourself is a victim do not be afraid to call hotlines for help or to go online to search for
organizations for information. It is all there to benefit these women, all should take advantage
and try to help these battered women. No one deserves to get beaten!

REFERENCES
Goldsmith, T. (2006). What Causes Domestic Violence?. Psych Central. Retrieved
on November 7, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/what-causes-domesticviolence/000344
Sources: National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Center for Victims of
Crime, and WomensLaw.org.
4. Tiesman, H., Gurka, K., Konda, S., Coben, J., Amandus, H. (2012). Workplace
Homicides Among U.S. Women: The Role of Intimate Partner Violence. Annals of
Epidemiology, 22(4). DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2012.02.009
6. Violence Policy Center. (2012). American Roulette: Murder-Suicide in the
United States. Retrieved from: www.vpc.org/studies/amroul2012.pdf