Argumentative Essay On Domestic Violence

Janaye Bullock
April 23rd 2009
Dr. Pisiak
Argumentive Essay Domestic Violence

Christopher “Chris” Brown and Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty are the nation’s most talked about couple in the media and tabloids. As everyone knows, recently Chris Brown has been allegedly accused of domestic violence against his former girlfriend Rihanna. Rihanna suffered multiple cuts, scrapes, bruises, and bite marks over her body. According to an author of the New York Daily News, Brown pleads not guilty on his felony charges (Schreffer). Domestic violence is a negative factor amongst women in relationships. Statistics have shown that approximately three million incidents of domestic violence are reported in the United States (Feinstein 1). In addition, “approximately
eighty five percent of domestic abuse victims each year” are females (Feinstein 2). “Nearly one third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, and each year, many as 324,000 women experience domestic violence during their pregnancy”(Feinstein 2). Having a partner or spouse that inflicts domestic violence can often lead a family to have continuous and reoccurring cycles of abuse, health problems, homelessness, and financial instability. The U.S needs to do more to protect women legally from domestic violence, and provide help to battered women and families. Reoccurring issues of domestic violence happens to be the prime issue amongst individuals that are victims of domestic abuse.
According to Dianne Feinstein, “Domestic violence remains a pervasive threat to the fabric of America’s families and the well being of America’s future” (2). I agree with her; the most disturbing thing happens to be women coming back to abusive spouses and partners. Many couples don’t leave their abusive spouse, yet they just continue and let the cycle reoccur, never receiving help; but continuously enduring the pain. The cycle of abuse repeats itself from generation to generation, never resulting in a positive manner unless; legal actions such as arrests are made and or major
injuries.
Many individuals that are abused or have witnessed abuse are “at a higher risk of abusing their own family and significant others as an adult; as well as long- term physical and mental health problems including alcohol and substance abuse (Feinstein 2). Personally I’ve known a couple that have been through domestic violence and it wasn’t necessarily a good predicament. My aunt and her first husband have been married for a few years before he started to physically abuse her. It started with the verbal abuse, resulting in other matters and forms of abuse. As a married couple for numerous years, the abuse never stopped, he even broke her jaw in various places. His actions soon progressed resulting into various other forms of abuse. He then introduced her into the world of drugs and prostitution. Yet, with all of the above issue being faced, my aunt became diagnosed with some form of insanity behind her drug and domestic abuse. Currently she is homeless, in and out of shelters and drug abuse programs; completing the programs just to relapse.
Poverty seems to stand as a true issue when it comes to being domestically abused. Abusers have the tendency to control finances and leave the family with little or nothing. Domestic violence can build many obstacles when it comes to being financially stable for family matters and life’s necessities. Poverty is the beginning step before a family and/ or a person becomes homeless. Being in poverty is beyond broke and many aspects can overcome an individual to become more violent as to wanting more money; a person can become more abusive. “Women living in poor neighborhood s are more likely to be the victims of domestic violence than women in more affluent neighborhoods” (Domestic 2). “Women and financially distressed couples who live in poor neighborhoods are twice more likely to become victims of domestic violence than women in equally financially distressed relationships living in more affluent neighborhoods” (Domestic 2). Overall, it puts poor women in a harder position to leave abusive men due to finances; eventually settling for the abuse with no way out. “When women flee domestic abuse, they are often forced to leave their homes, with nowhere else to turn” (Domestic 1). “For years, advocates have known that domestic violence is a primary cause of homelessness for women and families” (Domestic 1). The strong issue behind poverty is followed by homelessness. Due to the issue of abused women being controlled and isolated by their abusers; having little money and “friends or family who may not be able to help escape their violent relationships, the foundation maintains” (Domestic 1). Now in days domestic violence and homelessness have had a major connection with one another. Statistics have shown that twenty eight percent of housing providers would either refuse to rent out an apartment, or get back in contact with them if they know that their possible tenant may have a history of domestic abuse. Families with a history of domestic violence are known become evicted due to complications with tenants and or neighbors. Many landlords and homeowners believe that individuals that are victims of abuse bring violence into their dwellings. Stopping the cycle of domestic violence can be very critical depending on the situation. There are many steps one can take to encourage abuse free living. Many laws that protect women and their families against are the Victims’ Rights Act; which was passed by the senate in April of 2005 by a vote of 96 to 1. “According to Dianne Feinstein, “the act amends the federal criminal code to expand the rights of victims, especially the protection of victims of domestic violence, during the course of an alleged offender’s trail and imprisonment” (3). This law also “guarantees the right to reasonable, accurate and timely notice of any public proceeding involving the crime, as well as any release or escape of the accused offender” (3). In addition; “it protects the victims’ right to be treated with fairness and with the respect for his or her dignity and privacy” (Feinstein 3). Domestic violence is an ongoing process many encounter within their ups and downs in life’s relationships.
Having an abuser as a spouse or partner is very dangerous and no one should have to be in that predicament. To help stop the reoccurring cycle of abuse, the mental and physical health related problems, and financial instability individuals should be completely aware of the signs of abuse and get out quick. In some cases, domestic violence can easily be avoided and or solved. In today’s society domestic abuse is very common, and all measures to avoid and prevent them should be known. Since the Chris Brown and Rihanna case many celebrities have been speaking out on the issue of domestic violence and abuse. I feel that domestic violence is unsafe and can even lead to death if not
confronted.

Works Cited

“Dealing with the Effects of Domestic Violence.” New-Topic (Lenoir, NC).March 31 2009. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Morrisville State College Library, Apr.2004 “Domestic Violence Often Leads to Homelessness.” The Homeless. Ed. Louise Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007.Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Morrisville State College Library, Apr.2004
Feinberg, Cara and LaneVolpe. “Improvements in the Legal Response to Domestic Violence.” Contemporary Issues Companion: Battered Woman. Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Morrisville State College Library, Apr.2004
Feinstein, Dianna. “Domestic Violence is a Serious Problem.” Green haven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Morrisville State College Library, Apr.2009