Domestic Violence
Evolution of Domestic Violence to Today: What it Is, and How We See It
Domestic violence has become a very important issue to be tackled in today's society. Fortunately, over the years, many have recognized the need to address this issue, which can grow to quite serious proportions. In order to provide a context for the following paragraphs, I would like to include some statistics on domestic violence here. Though upsetting, these statistics are necessary to see just how much of a problem this issue can be. According to Strengthen Our Sisters, an organization that aims to help domestic violence victims by providing them with information and a hotline which to call in times of trouble, women suffer greatly under this issue, with a woman being physically assaulted nearly every 15 seconds. Battery also contributes to the single major cause of injury for women, and exceeds any other circumstance, including car accidents. Furthermore, Strengthen Our Sisters claims that not only are almost 3,000 women killed each year by their husbands, but that almost six million women are battered in any year. [1: Coha, A. (1993). "Domestic Violence Statistics." Strengthen Our Sisters. Retrieved May 1, 2011, . ]
Domestic violence has clearly become paramount to address not just by authorities, but also by society as a whole. This paper will discuss how the recognition of domestic violence has evolved within our society, what laws there are in place to ensure the safety of those that may become abused, and what significant events or organizations have put these laws into place.
Domestic Violence Historically
As an issue, domestic violence was not always recognized as serious and in need to be addressed. Throughout the centuries, and especially before women had rights or were involved in social and political life, they would often find themselves at a disadvantage, for their husbands had full control over their lives. In Roman times, for example, a man could beat or murder his wife for the offenses she committed that tainted his honor or threatened his rights, with no legal recourse, as these were considered "private matters." In the 15th century, the Catholic Church endorsed a set of rules that cemented the husband's authority towards his wife by allowing him to beat her if she committed an offense. Furthermore, England common law as well, maintained that the husband should be allowed to control his wife as such in the "interest of maintaining family discipline." [2: Davis, J. (1999). "Domestic Abuse." Cabot Police Department. Retrieved May 1, 2011, < http://www.cji.edu/papers/Domestic%20Abuse%20Report.pdf>. ] [3: Davis, J. (1999). "Domestic Abuse." Cabot Police Department. Retrieved May 1, 2011, < http://www.cji.edu/papers/Domestic%20Abuse%20Report.pdf>. ]
According to a Columbia University journal, it was only in the late 19th century that domestic violence became a social issue. At this time, women became more and more involved in society and opportunities for women's activities emerged. The research further states that spousal torture was subject to a jail sentence for the husband in England who, while in jail, had to provide for the family. With the advent of women's rights in the 20th century, domestic violence shifted from "the wife" to children. The focus, at this time, was thus placed on negligent mothers and juvenile delinquency. [4: Not Available. "History of Domestic Violence." Columbia University. Retrieved May 1, 2011, .]
Battered women cases resurfaced, however, in the 1970's with the women's power movement, and spousal abuse became a public issue. This happened because of the women's liberation movement, women's health movement and anti-rape movements. It is important to note these movements for they had the resources necessary and the networks in place to help battered women and their movement gain strength and influence. Eventually, according to Columbia University research, "It was calls to rape hot lines from wives who had been victims of their husbands' abuse that helped domestic violence be placed on political agendas [and...] it was the anti-rape organizations that began to speak about battered women, informing others through newsletters and training sessions." [5: Not Available. "History of Domestic Violence." Columbia University. Retrieved May 1, 2011, . ]
In 1974, according to one article, the first shelter for women was opened. This initial establishment led to the opening of hundreds of others, and to programs that provided "emotional, financial, and vocational assistance to domestic violence survivors and their children." Furthermore, police forces, which had heretofore treated domestic violence by talking to the victims to "calm" them and even threatening arrest for both parties if domestic disputes continued, were trained to deal with the issue head on, and to address especially the women's side, which was most often the victim side. [6: Moser,...
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