Running Head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Community problem report: Domestic Violence

The University of Texas at El Paso
ENGL 1311
April 18, 2016
Samantha Escalera

Running Head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Abstract
Domestic violence does not discriminate against age, gender, and race. It may happen
once or it may happen several of times, however no matter the number of occasions one should
never justify this wrongdoing. Domestic violence is an epidemic problem affecting even
thousands of people within the community of El Paso. It is imperative to recognize the severity
of domestic abuse in order to provide our community with awareness toward this issue and
guidance to face the problem. It may not be easy to recognize the first signs of abuse; however,
society must understand what domestic violence is in order to recognize the signs when is it
occurring. It is also vital not to underestimate the victims, for domestic violence does not
discriminate against anyone. Finally, society must be open the problem and know that there is
help within the community and where they can help both the victim and the abuser.

Running Head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Introduction
Domestic violence is a world wide problem that affects many innocent individuals even
within our community. It is a problem that there According to the NoTeDejes.org, nation wide
1 in 5 teens have been physically, mentally or sexually by their partner, furthermore, in El Paso
in 2010, there were 5,512 domestic violence cases presented in the El Paso Attorneys court.
From those 5,512 cases; there are yet many more cases hidden within the shadows waiting to
receive help.
Domestic Abuse
According to the Domesticviolencelondon.nhs, the government defines domestic
violence as any incident of threatening behavior, violence, or abuse (psychological, physical,
sexual, financial or emotional between adults who are or have been intimate partner or family
members, regardless of gender or sexuality. (2016). Domestic violence is a part of a systematic
pattern of power and control from one partner to another. The occurrence and severity vary
within each case. It may begin at any point in a relationship for the most part domestic violence
does not happen only once, in fact, the majority of the time the abuse may either continue or
escalade. It is important to note that domestic violence affects individuals from any race, age,
gender, economic status and sexual orientation, religion, culture or geography. Many times the
victims will not be able to detect the early stages of an abusive relationship mainly because the
abuser be apparent delightful but with time they may become possessive and controlling over
their partner. The abuser typically begins abusing in a passive aggressive manner, with threats,
jealousy and possessiveness. The abuser will be very apologetic and will intend to justify their
actions by stating that they do it out or love until they are able to convince their victims.

Running Head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Many people have made claims that the abusers lose control over their behavior however,
domesticviolencelondon.nhs, has stated that abusing is a deliberate choice made by the abuser to
feel empowered and in control. In the majority of the cases, the abuser is able to contain himself
in front of people with authority over them, for example a boss or a police officer.
It is important to note that domestic violence may manifest through physical, emotional, and
psychological abuse. Weather an abuser utilizes physical, emotional or psychological abuse, the
abuser is no less dangerous to the victim. The victims of domestic violence must be aware that
they did not bring the violence upon themselves. The victims of domestic violence may
experience feelings of depression, isolation, helplessness, fear, shame, anxiety, and
aggressiveness (ncadv.org). The victims many times blame themselves for the abuse that happens
to them and they try to protect their abuser.
Victims of domestic violence
According to the, familyfindlaw.com, Victims of domestic violence may include anyone
from any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. The victims can be spouses, intimate
partners, family members and even children. Domestic abuse used to be categorized by wife
abuse however, that stereotype changed with time considering that men and women are both
victims. The El Paso community faces particular problems that most of society does not face
considering that these cases are influenced by community mishaps. According to the article of,
immigrant women and domestic violence, the domestic violence amongst immigrant women are
being caused by specific factors such that immigrant women are at higher risk for domestic
violence due to the limited host language, skills, and isolation from family and community, lack
of access to jobs, legal statuses, and their experience with the authorities.

Running Head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Journal Employment and the risk of domestic abuse among low-income women,
supports the claim from the previous articles high documented rates and domestic violence
among low-income women. Unique analysis made aware that family economic circumstances
might affect the frequency of Domestic Violence given current welfare policy. Stated by the
Texas council on family violence in two-thousand-fourteen, El Paso was rated among the top five
counties in the state with deaths caused by domestic abuse. It has been reported that
approximately one-hundred and thirty-two women were fatal victims of ab-normal domestic
behavior out of fifty-nine counties in the state of Texas. El Paso contains five of these fatal
victims. It was also reported that in two-thousand and fourteen, one-hundred and twenty
witnesses were also affected by brutal deaths. The majority of the witnesses are composed of
children within the ages of five to thirteen who have been at the scene while violence is
occurring within the household.
Society may fail to recall that highly educated women whom are able to sustain
themselves economically can very much be victims of toxic abusive marriages. It is important to
take into consideration that women are not the only victims of domestic violence, there are many
men who are victims of domestic abuse. Domestic violence can occur from man to man, women
to women, man to women.
Assistance toward Domestic Violence
For those who are suffering from domestic violence there is many places to seek help. In
order to seek for help, the victim must be confident about themselves and understand that they
are in an abusive relationship and that they do not have to depend the abuser. They must also
understand the abusers actions cannot be justified simply because they say that they love and
care for the victim. The first step the victim needs to take in order to help themselves is to

Running Head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

recognize when the abuse is occurring. As the article, helpguide.org, says, the most indicative
sign of domestic abuse is when the victim is afraid of their partner. They may also feel that they
have to be constantly careful with what they say or do because they do not want their partner to
blow up. Many times the victims believe that they have gone crazy and begin to feel helpless.
Some signs to be aware of are noticing that the abuser is jealous and or aggressive. They abuser
may try to keep their partner from spending time with their family or their friends. He/she may
also try to force their partner into sexual intercourse and they make the victim feel guilty as a
way of manipulation. If the victim can relate to any of these alerting signs then they are in a
domestic violence relationship. The community of El Paso has many accessible shelters for
individual and their families who seek refuge from an abusive relationship. The Center against
Sexual and Family Violences emergency shelter is a complete confidential shelter that will help
victims and their family with food, clothing, and a safe place to stay. The victims receive an
additional help from counseling, crisis intervention, support groups and assistance with their
children. In addition, a 24-hour hotline crisis is available for victims. For an immediate
emergency, the victims must call 911. CASFV also provides educational programs and most
importantly hope for families. The Rescue mission of El Paso has also served the city of El Paso
for more than 60 years by providing food, shelter, and clothing. This distinct organization also
proclaims the Gospel to the poor and to victims.
In the case of the abuser, as mentioned in National Domestic Violence hotline, in order
for the abuser to make a change in his/ her life, the individual must be committed and deeply
desire to change. The abusive partner must be willing to attend intervention programs and pay
attention to what triggers their behavior and reflect on their actions.

Running Head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Conclusion
Now that society is aware of what domestic violence is, who is affected by domestic
violence, and what help can be offered for domestic violence; the community of El Paso can
understand the severity of domestic violence. If there is one thing that society can remember, is
that domestic violence is a cycle that can initiate from a child hood. It is important to understand
the relation between a child who was abused or had witnessed domestic violence at home, with
an abuser as an adult.

Running Head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

References

Figueroa, L. (2015, October 5). El Paso has high domestic violence deaths. Retrieved
March 23, 2016, from http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2015/10/05/el-paso-hashigh-domestic-violence-deaths/73398384/

Gibson-Davis, C. M., Magnuson, K., Gennetian, L. A., & Duncan, G. J.. (2005).
Employment and the Risk of Domestic Abuse among Low-Income Women. Journal of
Marriage and Family, 67(5), 11491168. Retrieved from http://0-

www.jstor.org.lib.utep.edu/stable/3600303
Menjvar, C., & Salcido, O.. (2002). Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence:
Common Experiences in Different Countries. Gender and Society, 16(6), 898920.

Retrieved from http://0-www.jstor.org.lib.utep.edu/stable/3081940

Dont Let Yourself | El Paso Domestic/Dating Abuse Initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19,
2016, from http://www.dontletyourself.org/