 |
Domestic violence is
emotional abuse or violent behaviors an intimate partner or family member uses
against another person to maintain control over the relationship (Domesticviolence.org,
2009). Domestic violence accounts for 21% of violent crimes and 76% of the victims
are female and 21% of the victims are male (Bureau of Justice Statistics [BJS],
2014). Domestic violence is committed most often by current or former
boyfriends or girlfriends (BJS, 2014). There is a high rate of injury in
victims of domestic violence and injuries occur 45% of the time (BJS, 2014).
Injuries are more likely when victims are experiencing intimate partner
violence and the associated injuries are more likely to be severe (BJS, 2014).
Unfortunately only about one-half (55%) of domestic violence incidents are
reported to the police and 77% of the time the victimization occurred in their
own home (BJS, 2014). In 2010 39% of the 3,032 female homicide victims were murdered
by an intimate partner (BJS, 2013).
Domestic violence can
result in adverse health conditions such as chronic headaches, chronic pain,
trouble sleeping, decreased activity, and poor physical and mental health
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). The costs of domestic
violence are tremendous. Intimate partner rape, physical assault, and stalking
alone cost $5.8 billion a year with $4.1 billion consisting of direct medical
and health services (National Center for Injury Prevention, 2003). Thus,
domestic violence is prevalent and costly to society.
References
Bureau
of Justice Statistics. (2013). Intimate partner violence: Attributes of victimization,
1993-2011. Retrieved from http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/press/ipvav9311pr.cfm
Bureau
of Justice Statistics. (2014). Nonfatal domestic violence, 2003–2012. Retrieved
from http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=4984
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). NISVS summary reports. Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/nisvs/summary_reports.html
Domesticviolence.org.
(2009). Definition. Retrieved from http://www.domesticviolence.org/definition/
National
Center for Injury Prevention. (2003). Costs of intimate partner violence
against women in the United States. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pub/ipv_cost.html
Your topic makes me recall bullying, especially for those with disabilities in school. As we know, Bullying is a pattern of aggressive behavior meant to hurt or cause discomfort, either physically, psychically or socially, to another person (Olweus, 1994). According to a 2009 nationwide survey, approximately 20% of high school students reported being bullied on the school property over a 12-month period (CDC, 2010). Bullying clearly in schools is a chronic problem that has an adverse effects on students, including (a) depression, (b) poor academic performance, and (c) poor self-esteem (Kaltiala-Heino, Frojd, & Marttunen, 2010; Smokowski & Kopasz, 2005). These effects may persist into adulthood and becomes severe violent crimes. Somehow, I believe the issue of bullying in school needs to be addressed in the public health.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts about bullying. Domestic violence perpetrators do bully their partners!
ReplyDelete