Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence

The history of domestic violence

Domestic violence is persistent and intentional abuse of any kind, whether
physical, sexual or mental. Violence is carried out by children on their
parents, particularly when the parents are elderly, and by parents on their
children: This is described as child abuse.

Domestic violence has been found in many different cultures in history, but
attitudes have changed. For many centuries women had a shortage of legal
rights in most parts of the world, but husbands, who were responsible for
their wives, were allowed to chastise them physically.

Men had always been the dominating partner in a relationship, but then the
women realized that all persons are equal no matter which sex. This was the
first step to equality between men and women. But not everywhere the
situation is the same at the moment. Even in our technified world human
rights are violated. Not in wars or in prisons,but in the sleeping rooms of
normal houses. Human rights researchers found out that domestic violence is
tolerated in Brazil, Russia, and Ghana, although it is illegal. However,
sociologists have shown that men have continued to use violence to put their
families under pressure.



The situation today - some facts

In nine cases out of ten, the violence is carried out by a man - often a
husband or partner, but it can also come from a son, father, or other family
members. An incident in which you feel threatened by someone you know, can
also be classified as domestic violence. It happens everywhere, from large
cities to rural communities, and to all kinds of women. The majority of
cases are when a man abuses a woman within a relationship.

There are different forms of domestic violence. For example women were
forced to have sex without their consent. 20 % of the men hit their partners
und 60 % of these saw violence against their partner as an option for a
better partnership. It is a fact that one - third of the children want to
protect their mother from their father. Another fact is that in 90 % of
incidents of domestic violence the children are in the same or in the next
room. Anyway, only 20 % of all incidents are reported to the police.

Why women don't leave their home?

There are a combination of reasons why women don't leave, or return to
violent relationships. The alternatives for women wanting to escape violence
and live without fear are still limited by many factors that are outside
their control. These factors are:

? Homelessness
? Isolation and loneliness
? responsibility for their child
? Economic dependency
? Immigration laws

But there are also some important reasons why women stand years of violence
and fear:

? They want to provide a home with two parents until the children have grown
up.
? They do not have enough money to support themselves.
? They worry about the society.
? They are afraid of losing their home.
? They still love their partner.

In which households does domestic violence occur?

There are some prejudice about the families in which such cases happen.
Domestic violence happen in every family, no matter how much money this
family have. There isn't one type of man who abuses - they come from every
profession and every class.

Another prejudice is that only men who drink or have chauvinist attitudes
hit their wives. Alcohol can't be made responsible for the brutality in some
households. Maybe alcohol reduces the inhibitions in of some men, but not
always and in every case.

Domestic violence is a violation of human rights

Domestic violence is a serious crime and a violation of the human rights.
Nobody has the right to abuse somebody physically, sexually or emotionally.
Everyone has the right to live his life free of violence. Women have the
right to be free of fear and abuse.

Women from Asian and Afro - Carribean countries are often not allowed to marry
the man they love because the families select the husband for their
daughter. This sounds strange but also in our society the cultural tradition
of keeping the family together puts enormous pressure on women who want to
leave their husbands. They do not have the courage to leave their husbands.

Places of refuge

Women who use refuges often have less access to money or places to go. Some
women contact Women's Aid for support and legal information.

Up to 45,000 women a year flee to the safety of a refuge to escape violence
at home. A further 100,000 seek the advice and counselling services many
refuges provide. These facts which have been researched by Women's Aid and
show the urgent need for refuge services for women and their children. But
the latest findings suggest that few local authorities agreed to finance
these services, or even have a police for dealing with domestic violence.

Two sentences for conclusion

? Domestic violence is a serious crime.
? Everyone has the right to live their life free of fear, threats and abuse.



Some words:
persistent - fortdauernd
chastise - züchtigen
endure - ertragen, dulden
refuge - Zuflucht
trigger - auslösen
sober - nüchtern
intentional - absichtlich
incident - Ereignis
inhibitions in - Hemmungen
latest findings - neueste Erkenntnisse
consent - Einwilligung

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

History of domestic violence

? often carried out by parents on their children
? found in many different cultures
? tolerated in Brazil, Russia

The situation today

? in nine cases out of ten, the violence is carried out by a man
? option for a better partnerschip

Why women don't leave?

? Homelessness
? Isolation and loneliness
? responsibility for their child
? Economic dependency
? Immigration laws
? not enough money
? still love their partner

In which households does domestic violence occur?

Domestic violence is a violation of human rights

Places of refuge

? Women's Aid

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