Domestic Violence
This is the outline: Thesis: This paper primarily focuses on understanding the long-term effects on victims of domestic violence and how the needed policy, social and change factors alleviate this issue.
1. Type of intimate partner violence- Physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression are the four categories of close relationship violence.
a. Physical violence- The use of physical force to cause death, incapacity, damage, or harm.
b. Sexual violence- non-contact unwanted sexual encounters, forced sexual contact, non-physically compelled unwanted penetration, using force on a victim to penetrate someone else, and raping the victim constitute sexual violence.
c. Stalking and cyberstalking- A behavior of unsolicited and repeated attention and contact creates worry or anxiety about one’s or another’s safety.
2. Risk factors for intimate partner violence- Individual, interpersonal, community, and societal variables contribute to the risk of perpetrating intimate partner violence.
a. Individual factors- Individual factors of violence include a lack of nonviolent conflict-solving skills, low self-esteem, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
b. Relationship factors- Relationship disputes entail jealousy, divorce, possessiveness, division, and tension.
c. Community factors- A community where neighbors do not know or watch out for one another and where people have minimal community participation.
Sample Solution
The long-term effects of domestic violence on the victims can be serious and far-reaching. In addition to physical harm, victims may experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal ideation (Coker et al., 2002). Furthermore, research has shown that those exposed to intimate partner violence are at increased risk for drug abuse/addiction or risky sexual behavior due to a general lack of self-worth (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000).
There are four main types of intimate partner violence: physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression. Physical violence is defined as the use of force with intent to cause death, disablement or hurt in any way (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020). Examples include hitting with fists or objects as well as using weapons during acts of aggression. Sexual assault involves unwanted contact that results in pain or humiliation such as rape or forced intercourse. Stalking is characterized by persistent behaviors like surveillance and harassment meant to intimidate a person into submission without actual physical contact taking place (Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2004). Lastly psychological aggression includes verbal threats involving fear of bodily harm along with intimidation tactics via social media platforms/electronic devices (Langhinrichsen-Rohling et al., 2012).
In order to effectively address this issue more policy changes need to be implemented that provide greater protection for victims while punishing perpetrators more severely when necessary. Furthermore, education initiatives should also be introduced so people can become aware of warning signs before an abusive relationship begins instead waiting until it is too late. Lastly, providing resources such as accessible counseling centers where individuals can receive help without feeling judged is key in ensuring everyone gets the assistance they need regardless if they have experienced trauma directly themselves or not (Houle & Braafladt, 2015).
