Domestic Violence Essays - Behavior, Human Behavior, Misconduct

Domestic Violence Essays - Behavior, Human Behavior, Misconduct Domestic Violence Why ask women when they only need to be told? Why ask women when they hope to be takenfeelings, moods, and attitudes rule a woman, not facts, reason or logicThe acquisition of knowledge or responsibility does not lessen womens need for support, guidance, and control. Quite the contrary. This attitude justifies the so-called need for men to correct their wives misbehaviour. It perpetuates the idea that women must need a man who can guide, protect and provide for them. These perceptions have been notable throughout history (Re: the rule of thumb) and it has only been in the last few decades in North America where women have been more given rights and freedoms. Yet, physical abuse still exists. The women stay and the men continue their cycle of violence while society quietly waits for the last tragic blow. Domestic violence occurs all over the world. Canada is not immune to this social problem that plagues many developing countries. In the past few months there have been numerous cases of domestic violence leading to murder and suicide in Southern Ontario. The media has shone light on this once private matter and revealed that the problem still exists. Violence against women by their spouses is a life-threatening situation that is not treated seriously by the legal system or by society in general. It often takes a tragedy for corrective action to be taken and stricter laws to be made. On July 24, 2000 an article appeared in the Toronto Star entitled, Victim of Acid Attack had been Abducted. A 27-year-old woman was abducted for several hours one week before her boyfriend (and childs father) splashed her with sulphuric acid in her Scarbourough home and she didnt report the incident to police. Police said the acid burned the woman's face and 80 per cent of her body after it ate through he r clothes. Nigel Carrington, has been charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, assault, dangerous driving, theft and mischief. In the wake of recent cases of domestic violence that have ended in deaths, McQueen ( a Toronto police officer) made an appeal for the public to be vigilant' in reporting incidents at their early stages. This case capped it off for me, McQueen said. Here I am finding out about a kidnapping, previous assaults and other things And when do I find out about it? On the day she almost loses her life. Some women do leave their abusive relationships. Battered women are not always passive victims who merely accept the abuse. They want to stop the violence and protect their children. Sometimes battered women deny or minimize the abuse as a coping strategy to reduce the psychological impact of the abuse. The fact that a battered woman may not leave may reflect the fact that our society has not provided sufficient supports for the victims of violence to be able to leave. A woman often stays because she hopes that her partner will change, and that the battering will stop. When the abuse continues she may well try to leave or get help. She may be threatened with even more violence if she leaves and she knows that her partner is capable of carrying out those threats. Many batterers threaten to get a court order for custody of the children if she leaves. There are many obstacles that a woman faces if she tries to leave. There is a lack of support and practical help (family and friends dont support her or are afraid to get involved) and a lack of information (she becomes isolated and unaware of her options). There is also limited protection options (the justice system cannot guarantee protection for women, and court protection orders are frequently broken). For many battered women, the choice is to stay with the abuser and try to avoid being battered, or to leave and face a life of poverty and uncertainty for herself and her children. There are other reasons why women choose to stay such as: fear of not being believed, feels as if she has created the problem and that she is the one who should change her behaviour. She is unable to escape her abusers control (including finances) and does not have another