Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence
One of the most complicated issues facing most health care professionals and governmental agencies today is that of domestic violence. Domestic violence encompasses any violence that is inflicted upon one family member by another family member. Thus, domestic violence can be described as spouse abuse, child abuse, sibling abuse, or elder abuse. Most authorities suggest that domestic violence is typically expressed in violence against women and children. Such acts of violence can involve health care professionals in the treatment of physical injuries, the psychological impact upon the victim, or the aggressive behavior of the abuser. Often governmental agencies are called upon to investigate such matters to ensure the safety of the victims or to determine appropriate punishment for the offender. However, given the importance of the bonds and rights of the family that our culture maintains, it is difficult to determine when the situation at home "is no one 's business" and when it merits intervention from outside parties in order to protect the welfare of those involved. Despite these difficulties and complexities, domestic violence is considered to be a worldwide health problem necessitating urgent intervention ("A Priority Health," 1998). The purpose of this paper is to explore the incidence and treatment regarding domestic violence.
Incidence
The occurrence of domestic violence appears to be a worldwide problem occurring in every nation on earth. The small island of Fiji reports incidents of husbands killing wives over marital disputes (Adinkrah, 1999). Japanese officials refer to domestic violence as a "hidden crime" (Mieko, 1999). One survey conducted by the local government of Tokyo indicated that: one-third of the women interviewed had suffered physical violence from their husbands, violence was repeatedly inflicted on almost seven percent of the women, and over three percent indicated that they had been beaten severely. The government
One of the most complicated issues facing most health care professionals and governmental agencies today is that of domestic violence. Domestic violence encompasses any violence that is inflicted upon one family member by another family member. Thus, domestic violence can be described as spouse abuse, child abuse, sibling abuse, or elder abuse. Most authorities suggest that domestic violence is typically expressed in violence against women and children. Such acts of violence can involve health care professionals in the treatment of physical injuries, the psychological impact upon the victim, or the aggressive behavior of the abuser. Often governmental agencies are called upon to investigate such matters to ensure the safety of the victims or to determine appropriate punishment for the offender. However, given the importance of the bonds and rights of the family that our culture maintains, it is difficult to determine when the situation at home "is no one 's business" and when it merits intervention from outside parties in order to protect the welfare of those involved. Despite these difficulties and complexities, domestic violence is considered to be a worldwide health problem necessitating urgent intervention ("A Priority Health," 1998). The purpose of this paper is to explore the incidence and treatment regarding domestic violence.
Incidence
The occurrence of domestic violence appears to be a worldwide problem occurring in every nation on earth. The small island of Fiji reports incidents of husbands killing wives over marital disputes (Adinkrah, 1999). Japanese officials refer to domestic violence as a "hidden crime" (Mieko, 1999). One survey conducted by the local government of Tokyo indicated that: one-third of the women interviewed had suffered physical violence from their husbands, violence was repeatedly inflicted on almost seven percent of the women, and over three percent indicated that they had been beaten severely. The government
References: Adinkrah, M. (1999). Uxoricide in Fiji: The sociocultural context of husbandwife killings. Violence Against Women, 5(11), 12941320. Brannen, S Campbell, R., Raja, S., & Grining, P. L. (1999). Training mental health professionals on violence against women. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 14(10), 1003-1013. Erlanger, H. S. (1987, November 8). A widening pattern of abuse exemplified in Steinberg case." New York Times, p. 1. Finklehor, D., & Meyer, L. (1998). Nursery crimes. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Kornblum, W., & Julian, J. (1995). Social problems. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Simon & Schuster. McKay, M. M. (1994). The link between domestic violence and child abuse: Assessment and treatment considerations. Child Welfare, 73(1), 29-39. Mieko, Y. (1999). Domestic violence: Japan 's "hidden crime". Japan Quarterly, 46(3), 7682. Nylen, L., & Heimer, G O 'Keefe, M. (1994). Adjustment of children from maritally violent homes. Families in Society, 75(7), 403-415. A priority health issue. (1998). World Health, 51(5), 15. Reid, S Russell, D. E. H. (1984) Sexual exploitation: Rape, child sexual abuse, and workplace harassment. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Singh, R. N., & Unnithan, N. P. (1999). Wife burning: Cultural cues for lethal violence against women among Asian Indians in the United States. Violence Against Women, 5(6), 641653. Straus, M Tutty, L. M., Bidgood, B. A., & Rothery, M. A. (1996). Evaluating the effect of group process and client variables in support groups for battered women. Research on Social Work Practice, 6(3), 308-324. Ways for Child Protective Service social workers and caseworkers to integrate domestic violence issues into case practice. (1997). Public Welfare, 55(3), 10. Ways for Child Protective Service supervisors to integrate domestic violence issues into case practice. (1997). Public Welfare, 55(3), 8.