What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is also called “family violence” or “spousal abuse” or “battering”. It involves intentional repeated acts which cause physical or emotional harm committed most usually by an intimate partner - it is forceful behavior used to coerce another person into doing what the perpetrator wants done without regard for the victim’s rights, feelings or well-being. It is designed to control, but not to drive away, the intimate partner. In most cases, but not all, domestic violence is perpetrated by men against women. Both women and men can be victims of domestic violence perpetrated by an intimate partner, by same-sex partners, and even by their adolescent or adult children. Batterers use not only physical violence, but emotional and sexual abuse as well, to gain control over their victims. Batterers may also exhibit stalking behavior as a means to control the victim.
Often times we hear the question: “Why doesn’t the victim leave?” This question misses the mark in placing responsibility for the crime on the victim, rather than on the offender, and demonstrates a lack of understanding about the true nature of domestic violence. Many misconceptions exist about what domestic violence is all about. The following are truths about domestic violence:
- Intimate violence is never the answer to a conflict, and those who believe the victim causes or deserves the violence simply make it easier for batterers to use this excuse.
- Domestic violence is an issue of control and power. Batterers often carefully select the time, place, target and means of the abuse. Batterers are not “out of control,” although many will seek to excuse their behavior by claiming this. Consider the facts that the battering seldom takes place in public, and seldom against anyone other than the victim. Domestic violence is not caused by a loss of control. It is a planned means for keeping control. A batterer is someone who chooses to use violence as a means to deal with conflict. That person makes a deliberate choice to use abuse to control a situation.
- The level of violence inflicted in domestic situations can be very serious. IN 2001, statistics gathered by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics indicated that 30% to 50% of female homicide victims were killed by current or former intimate partners.
- Domestic violence occurs in all types of families, in all types of economic status.
- Domestic violence can occur at any time, and although alcohol and drugs often play a role in the violence, these substances do not cause the violence.
- Victims do not enjoy abuse. However, a victim may want the relationship to continue, and remain in an attempt to keep the relationship intact.
