The Nature of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence cannot be limited to physical violence only. It also comprise of abusive behaviours that are applied to maintain control and power in a relationship. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), domestic violence is defined as:
“Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality” (WHO, 2007).
Domestic violence comes in different types such as psychological violence, physical violence, sexual violence, financial violence, and emotional violence. Although cases of domestic violence in on the rise globally, such cases are underreported just as in the case of the D Division (Barnes, Newman, Knops, & Sullivan, 2003).
This paper seek to addresses the increasing cases of domestic violence in the D Division. It should be noted that there are inadequate data on domestic violence in the area. Since domestic violence, particularly against the female gender, has become a global phenomenon, the study will rely on documented global data to tackle the issue. The paper is divided into three sections. The first section addresses the nature of domestic violence as a global phenomenon. The second section outlines the possible solution to domestic violence. The third section outlines the existing academic information on the proposed solutions (Wills & Nash, 2012).
A partnership has been formed between the local police division and other stakeholders to tackle the increasing cases of domestic violence in D Division. The partnership are very keen to adopt a long-term multi-agency strategy. However, the partnership recognise that there is still much work to be done, particularly in terms of working together to achieve greater reductions and facilitate refuge for those who need it. Although there is no established pattern in which the cases occur in the Division, more calls for service comes from areas of higher deprivation. This is particularly the case for repeat calls. More calls are received in the late evening through to the early hours of the morning, and towards the end of the week.
There is no stereotypical perpetrator or victim, though reports to the police usually involve male offenders and female victims, across the age ranges. The local education authority has started an awareness raising campaign amongst secondary schools, but this is in its infancy. In the case of D Division, most cases that have been reported to the police involve offenders who have been previously convicted for violence against their partners. The D Division is a well representative of the domestic violence cases faced in the world today.
Global Perspective on Domestic Violence
According to a study conducted by the WHO in 2005, there is no country in the world that is safe from domestic violence. Most victims of domestic violence are women. The study states that 40 to 70% cases of the women that had become victims suffered in the hands of their intimate partners. The study established that over 50 percent of women in Ethiopia, Peru, Tanzania, and Bangladesh had been subjected to sexual and physical violence by their intimate partners. Japan is the only country that reported less than 20 percent cases of domestic violence against the women. United Kingdom reported 30 percent cases of women who had been violated by their current or ex-intimate partners (WHO, 2007).
The cases were less in the United States at 22 percent according to a study conducted by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study found out that the cost of dealing with domestic violence in the US was estimated to be over US$ 5.8 billion per annum. Of the US$5.8 billion, $4.1 accounted for health and medical care services while the rest amount of US$1.8 billion accounted for the productivity losses incurred (Wills & Nash, 2012).
In Geneva, Switzerland a random study to establish cases of domestic violence among students. The study randomly selected approximately 1200 ninth grade students. A study established that over 20 percent students reported to have experienced incidents of physical and sexual abuses (Wills & Nash, 2012).
WHO reports shows that at least one in every three women have been coerced into sex, beaten or psychologically and emotionally abused in their life. Most cases of violence have perpetuated by current intimate partners, ex-partners and family members. Compared to the male victims, the cases of female victims of domestic violence is five times high. Women who are prominent to cases of domestic violence are between 16 and 30 years old in the US (Holmes, 2011).
Moreover, poorer women experience more domestic violence as compared to the women with high-income level. This explains why cases of domestic violence are high in developing countries as compared to the developed countries. Lastly, the cases of domestic violence also vary from one race to another. For instance, in the US more cases are many cases of domestic violence reported to the police come from black and Hispanic women population (67%) compared to 50% cases in the White female population (WHO, 2007).
Another interesting case of domestic violence is understanding different initiatives that have been put in place by different governments to address the phenomenon. In India groups advocating for women, rights have stated that the unfavourable current reforms proposed by the government had increased cases of domestic violence in the country. Households have experienced financial clashes resulting into fights between the spouses. In most cases, women end up being violated by their enraged partners (Morgan-Trimmer, 2013).
Initiatives to Combat Domestic Violence
Increased cases of domestic violence have been reported in Russia. In 2017, the government enacted a legislation by the lawmakers which had proposed to decriminalise domestic violence. Some supporters of the bill stated that women should be proud of bruises that resulted from being hit by their husbands and partners. It is a common belief in Russia that women who have been physically abused are likely to give birth to boys (WHO, 2007).
The two scenarios clearly show that domestic violence has become a global issue. However, the world still have a long way to go before establishing an effective way of addressing this problem. Different lobby groups have declared that violence against women should be met with tough responses and laws.
Cases of domestic violence are reported to the police by the victims, their family members as well as the public. Such cases can also be referred to by other police officers and Right advocacy groups. Once an incidence of abuse has been reported, the officer in charge can decide to record it as either a mere incidence or a crime depending on the established procedures, the nature, and urgency of each case and the victim’s needs (Family Violence Prevention Fund, 2012).
For a case to be treated as domestic violence or abuse in the police report is must show degree of violence, abuse or threatening behaviours between people aged between 16 years and above. The involved partners should be intimate members, ex-partners or family members. However, incidence can be treated as domestic violence when an investigation by the police have established that a crime was not committed.
According to a report on domestic abuse in England and Wales released in 2017, most of the victims are female. The report showed that 76 percent of the domestic violence cases were women. Based on age, 58% of the female victims were aged between 25 to 34 years while 40% cases were from victims aged at least 75 years. The trend shows that domestic-violence-related cases decrease with an increase in age among the female gender. In contrast, domestic violence related cases increase with age among the male gender. All the cases reported among the male, 16 % were between 16 and 19 years while those aged over 75 years accounted for 30% (WHO, 2007).
In Conclusion, the discussion on the nature of domestic violence-related cases facing the D Division and the world generally have a directing relation with the social patterns such as race, age, and economic income. In the US, more cases have been reported by black and Hispanic American compared to the white Americans. Likewise, the age between 16 and 34 years are the prominent victims of domestic violence. Lastly, people in the developing countries have fallen victims of domestic violence compared to those from developed countries. This scenario can be used to explain why more cases have been reported to have occurred between late evening and early morning hours as well as in the weekends in D Division when most couples are idle.
With the high number of domestic violence cases in the D Division and the world in general, there is a possibility that we know one of our neighbours facing the phenomenon. Therefore, the proposals/ interventions for domestic violence should be individual and community oriented. Both individual and community interventions have been identified as the best ways of addressing the family violence issues facing the D Division and its environs. In other words, the proposed interventions have been divided into two sections, i.e., proposed individual international and proposed community engagement interventions.
Individual interventions for domestic violence
Domestic violence mitigation Programs cannot be effective without the involvement of the individual members of the community. There is a real possibility that we know one of our neighbours undergoing domestic violence. Therefore, the D Division partnership should engage individual members of the community in curbing domestic violence by supporting the following initiatives (Family Violence Prevention Fund, 2012).
First, the partnership should encourage neighbours to ring the bell when a neighbouring family is facing domestic violence. Neighbours should apply old neighbourly approaches such as an excuse to borrow milk or sugar. An individual should seek a company of a second person when the perpetrator is perceived to be dangerous (Kahane, Lopston, Herriman, & Hardy, 2013).
Second, where a neighbour is experiencing domestic violence and the perpetrator is assumed to be possession of a gun or is high on drugs, it should be better to seek help from the police or local shelter facilities. Likewise, people should be encouraged to be their brothers’ and sisters’ keeper. The partnership should encourage individuals to assure their friends, classmate, co-workers, sisters, and neighbours facing domestic violence that they are willing to intervene or offer them shelter where need be (Burlon, Duvvury, & Varia, 2000).
Third, individual should be encouraged to listen to victims who seek their assistance without judging them. Listening and believing in what victims of domestic violence tell us is the best step towards supporting them. Victims always feel belittled by their partners and believing in them would make them feel safe and share their story (Barnes, Newman, Knops, & Sullivan, 2003).
Fourth, individual should support victims of domestic violence by encouraging them to make an SOS call every time they are in danger. The information should then b conveyed to the local domestic violence shelter, the nearby police centre where the victim is located or a national domestic violence helpline. The same case should apply when individuals hear or witness cases of domestic violence (Family Violence Prevention Fund, 2012).
Lastly, individuals should be encouraged to help domestic violence victims in seeking assistance. The assistance should come through helping them to seek legal information, enroll in locally established domestic violence Programs as well as helping them to find safe shelters in the neighbourhood.
Proposed community intervention plans for domestic violence
Besides individual intervention, the community, as a whole, also play an important role in mitigating domestic violence. Therefore, the community offers a crucial platform where conversations on stopping and preventing cases of domestic violence can be held. Yet little has been done in the D Division towards engaging the community residents and leaders in solving domestic violence-related issues. Therefore, the proposed interventions will be names as the community engagement for change initiative. The initiative will focus on understanding the community pattern and social setup as a mechanism of preventing domestic violence. The main objective of the plan is to mobilise the locals in an effort of reducing and preventing domestic violence (Family Violence Prevention Fund, 2012).
The proposed plan will be implemented based on the following goals;
First, community engagement plan will seek of raise awareness on domestic violence and changing norms. When people are neither aware of the existence of domestic violence in their midst not understand the impact of domestic violence they will not support the initiative. Therefore, creating awareness is the first step towards curbing the menace. Domestic violence is treated as a private matter and families are always hesitant to talk about them. However, raising awareness help encourage people to openly talk about the unacceptability of domestic violence (Morgan-Trimmer, 2013).
After creating awareness, the second would be to create a connection between the community and the proposed Program. With the help of community leaders, the partnership will identify the families and individuals that need help. For example, the Program will be incorporated into the already existing community services. The Program will seek the assistance of formers victims of domestic violence to support victims of domestic violence in the community (Nabatchi & Amsler, 2014).
Poverty has been identified as a major contributor to domestic violence. Therefore, the Partnership Program will initiate economic driven projects as a way of fighting domestic violence. Therefore, the Program will target the less privileged members of the community who face economic problems on a daily basis (Wills & Nash, 2012).
Creation of awareness is an ongoing process and therefore community members will only respond when they have become part of the Program. This will be achieved by creating a leadership system within the community. Local leaders understanding the problems facing the community clearer and can be relied upon for the success of the Program. Local leaders will also assist in the identification of the most effective domestic violence curbing activities. Lastly, the Program can only be sustained when leaders come within the community. After having a localised leadership system in place, the next step would be engaging state institutions and agencies charged with fighting domestic violence. The Program would only succeed by involving state representatives in the localised community engagement Program.
The academic justification/commentary
Several studies have shown that the involvement of individual and community-based initiatives plays a vital roles in preventing and reducing cases of domestic violence in the community.
According to Holmes (2011), Wills & Nash (2012) and Morgan-Trimmer (2013), multisectoral approach should be applied when responding to cases of domestic violence. An effective approach should focus on offering long-term assistance and follow up to the victims of domestic violence, changing cultural attitudes, norms and legal provisions that support domestic violence and promote new cultural dimensions where victims can enjoy full freedoms and human rights.
According to Burlon, Duvvury, & Varia (2000), health and medical sectors play a crucial role in preventing domestic violence, especially against women. The sector helps with early identification of abuses. Offer treatment to the victims, and referring them to effective care. It is at the health care centres that victims of domestic violence feel safe because the personnel treat them with respect and they are not stigmatised. Moreover, health centres offer victims a friendly environment where they can easily open up and get informed support and quality services. However, the capability of health sector to provide services to the victims of domestic violence have been affected by cultural attitude and norms. Victims are always hesitant to seek help from the health sectors. One way of changing such cultural practices is through the involvement of individuals and community.
It takes more than responsive institutions and appropriate services to counter domestic violence. In most cases, victims of domestic violence, their families, and the community are left out in the discussions on how to counter the menace. Policymakers and other stakeholders have forgotten that the victim, families, and communities are the ones that know how domestic violence impact their lives, their relationships, their ability to interact with others and their environments (Nabatchi & Amsler, 2014) (Holmes, 2011).
Studies have shown that individuals, families, and communities play a vital role in fighting cases of domestic violence. Studies by Nabatchi & Amsler (2014), Wills & Nash (2012) and Holmes (2011) found out that victims of domestic violence first turn to the people close to them such as their friends, extended family, and neighbours for assistance. This shows the amount of trust that exist between victims and those close to them. Victims believe that people closest to them have the ability to help them before reaching out to professional service providers or shelter organisations. The studies further established that relatively very few people seek the services of government institutions and shelter services before reaching out to those closest to them.
A study by Barnes, Newman, Knops, & Sullivan (2003), found out that victims of domestic violence are always disconnected from government and formal services providers. Without the help of the members of the community, it would be difficult to establish people in need of assistance. Therefore community engagement plays an integral roles in the success of domestic violence control initiatives. Members of any community know individuals in the community who need assistance as well as the most effective services that could work for them.
In studying the relationship between community and culture Family Violence Prevention Fund (2012), found out that members of the community can easily identify cultural traditions, practices, and values that promote domestic violence. Involving community leaders in community engagement towards domestic violence initiatives is necessary. Such leaders connect the community with the Program organisers, therefore, can take a leading role in establishing the most appropriate interventions in addressing the violence problem in their communities. A universal approach to address the domestic violence cannot be taken because causes differ from one community to another.
According to Holmes (2011), Community engagement also known as public participation involves multisectoral methods that bring people together to tackle the common issues affecting them. Recently, the involvement of communities has risen. Community engagement provides an opportunity for diversified voices to air their views, build a stronger community, generate possible solution and support a common solution to the problem. Community engagement is regarded as a key factor in determine whether or not an initiative succeeds.
Individual and community-based initiatives have been supported by several studies. According to Morgan-Trimmer (2013), community engagement help members to think about domestic violence as a priority rather than a private issue. Once individuals have been encouraged to speak out about domestic violence, they do so openly which help in creating a powerful connection for fighting the menace. Organisers of community engagement initiatives create a forum where people come together to find solutions to the problems facing them as a whole. People start to care about the wellbeing of one another.
Another study by Nabatchi & Amsler (2014), stated that community engagement should be done in the context of their cultural context. The efforts to address domestic violence should be compatible with the community’s cultural values and morals. Corrective initiatives should be shaped by listening to the views of the community. Studies have shown that community engagement programs that have been created without the involvement of the community have low probability of success.
Conclusion
Domestic violence cannot be limited to physical violence only. It also comprise of abusive behaviours that are applied to maintain control and power in a relationship. The study sought to address the increasing cases of domestic violence in the D Division. Since domestic violence, particularly against the female gender, has become a global phenomenon, the study relied on documented global data to tackle the issue. The study have established the domestic violence is a global problem which affect both the rich and poor. It knows no race or economic background although most victims come from low-income people mostly in developing countries.
Community and individual engagement initiatives have been identified as the most appropriate methods of addressing domestic violence. Domestic violence do not take place in the vacuum, the neighbours and community members are well aware of such cases in the society. Therefore, the proposed solution should be integrated into the community setup. Initiatives and programs are likely to succeed when the initiators work with the community in advocating for social changes. Domestic violence happen at the local level hence the initiative to engage individual and community in fighting it.
References
Barnes, M., Newman, J., Knops, A., & Sullivan, H. (2003). Constituting ‘the public’ in public participation. Public Administration, 81(2): 379-399.
Burlon, B., Duvvury, N., & Varia, N. (2000). Justice, Change and Human Rights: International Research and Response to Domestic Violence. Washington DC: International Center for Research on Women and Center for Development and Population Activities.
Family Violence Prevention Fund. (2012). Preventing Family Violence: Community Engagement Makes the Difference. New York: Family Violence Prevention Fund.
Holmes, B. (2011). Citizens’ engagement in policymaking and the design of public services. Research Paper No. 1, 2011-2012, Parliamentary Library, Commonwealth of Australia.
Kahane, D., Lopston, K., Herriman, J., & Hardy, M. (2013). Stakeholder and citizen roles in public deliberation. Journal of Public Deliberation, 9(2): 1-35.
Morgan-Trimmer, S. (2013). It’s who you know’: Community empowerment through network brokers. Community Development Journal, 49(3): 458-472.
Nabatchi, T., & Amsler, L. B. (2014). Direct public engagement in local government. American Review of Public Administration, 44(4S): 63S-88S.
WHO. (2007). Multi country study on Women’s health and domestic violence against women. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Wills, J., & Nash, K. (2012). Redesigning Local Democracy: Local Government Community Development and Services Association of Australia. City of Swan, Western Australia.
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