Domestic Violence Legislation
Federal and State Governments Fight Domestic Violence
Although numerous federal and state laws sanctioning domestic violence exist in the United States, the incidences of domestic violence remain substantial. The federal government has undoubtedly taken significant steps over the years to protect the victims of domestic violence through legislation. One such Act is the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The Act, at the time of its enactment in 1994, focused on providing funding to victims, services to victims, and training to judges and law enforcement officers. Still, as the number of domestic violence cases remained constant, the Act was re-enacted in 2000 and once again in 2006. The latest re-enactment extends services to domestic violence victims by addressing the issue of domestic violence related homelessness. The 2006 re-enactment guarantees that victims will not be evicted from government funded housing. Still, the VAWA has drawn criticism due to its gender specific title; although the federal government has assured that all victims of domestic violence are eligible for and will receive benefits under the Act. Keeping with the spirit of federal legislation such as the VAWA, most states enacted state specific legislation. For example, California has enacted stringent criminal penalties including pro-arrest policies, and many states have mandatory arrest policies for domestic violence calls. Regardless of the abundance of federal laws and the often strict state laws, the incidences of domestic violence remain widespread in the U.S.; this remains a concern to both the federal and state governments.
Overview
According to the National Institute of Justice, approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States (National Institute of Justice, 2000). In addition, it has been reported that most incidences of domestic violence are not reported to the police, so this number may actually be significantly higher. In response to the incidences of domestic violence, both the federal and state governments have responded with legislation. Although both systems of government have similar goals in that they protect victims, they do so in different ways.
For example, at the federal level, it is common to find legislation that focuses on the victim and victim...
Domestic violence is often overlooked or simplified. People assume children who become exposed to domestic violence only exhibit negative symptoms. Just a couple of decades ago, few had any idea of the impact domestic violence had and continues to have on a child. From growing up and dealing with the pain and/or stigma, to lesser social skills and bad coping mechanisms, the effects of domestic violence on children are clearly
Domestic Violence Elder Abuse Policy Elder Abuse Policy In the last three decades, the events of elder abuse have increased greatly which leads to the increase in the needs of victims and further develops a need for having a sound policy combating this situation. Hence, a structure is required which can help in educating public, training professional specializing in this field, increasing necessary measures required for adult protection, increasing prosecution and reduction
At the same time that movement activists were pushing for the enactment of new legal measures, they were also working to develop a grass-roots community-based approach to providing direct services to victims of domestic violence. In 1979, the first domestic violence shelter in the United States was opened in an apartment in St. Paul, Minnesota, staffed entirely by volunteers. Today more than 2,000 shelters and crisis centers dot the North
. Even when the child in a home where DV occurs is not physically harmed, most of the time, these children know about the violence. As a result, they may experience emotional and behavior problems (The Domestic Violence…, N.d.). A victim of DV needs to be reminded: She is not alone. She is not at fault. Help is available. In The physician's guide to domestic violence, P.R. Salber and E. Taliaferro (N.d.). about stress
Legislation Reform Domestic Abuse Domestic violence legislation: Funding for vocational training for abused women In 2010 President Obama signed the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), which includes the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) within its provisions. "VPSA funds nearly 1,700 shelters and service programs for victims of domestic violence and their children. It also supports the National Domestic Violence Hotline, whose staff and volunteers answer more than 22,000
Federal and State Legislation Domestic Violence Legislation at the Federal and State Level Domestic violence is considered any violent act taken against someone involved in an intimate or family relationship (Eulich, 2013). It is a serious problem with countless victims each year. In 1994, Congress passed the United States Crime Bill which gave power to the federal government to help combat domestic violence, in particular violence against women and children. Specifically, the
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now