The Problem of Domestic Violence
Abuse, Awareness and the Types of Relationships Involved
What is Family Abuse in America Today? How this Type of Abuse is Defined, and the Different Relationships that Fall within the Parameters of Family Abuse.
By and large, the general public is unaware of the effects domestic violence has on its victims, other family members and society as a whole. Therefore, attempts are being made to heighten society's awareness of the many facets of this violent crime that plagues America today.
Organizations such as "The National Center for Victims of Crime" are educating the general public as well as potential victims of domestic abuse, about the elements of the crime of Domestic Violence, how to differentiate between this family crime and other crimes, and even how to tell whether any crime has actually been committed at all.
Because people should be aware of the types of abuse crimes that fall into the category of domestic violence, and who the victims of domestic abuse are, the center is answering questions, such as "Does one have to be a spouse or other immediate family member to be considered a victim of domestic violence?"
Domestic Violence Today
The problem of Domestic Violence is on the rise and becoming ever more dangerous to its victims who live in fear. However, the average person in the United States today is unaware of just how serious and out of hand the crime of domestic violence is becoming. This could possibly be because many Americans do not live with conflict and violence in their homes.
Conversely, many victims of domestic abuse do not even realize that they are victims of the crime of domestic violence. They've been misled by their abusers and believe that the abuse they are victimized by, really is not abuse at all, but just "a way of life."
What is Domestic Violence?
This is a crime that involves abuse of family members, romantic partners and others (see next subtitle). The crimes of domestic violence are numerous, ranging from verbal abuse to murder. They include: emotional abuse, such as intimidation and threats, assault, battery (with or without the use of a deadly weapon), sexual abuse (i.e. spousal rape), kidnapping, and detaining one against his or her will. More can be learned about this crime from reading Domestic Violence Dynamics.
What are Domestic Relationships?
When considering crimes of domestic violence, most states consider certain relationships to be ‘domestic relationships.’ In these states the relationships usually include spouses, former spouses, persons who share a common child together, persons currently residing together or those that have previously shared a domestic living arrangement together, in their criteria for domestic relationships.
In 1997, many states added ‘significant’ dating relationships in their statutory definitions of domestic relationships. Therefore, a person who is to be charged for a crime involving domestic abuse must have the above criteria in place with regard to the type of relationship with the victim and the type of offense committed against the victim.
Related Articles:
The History of Domestic Violence
