The criminology dissertation below has been submitted to us by a student in order to help you with your studies. Domestic violence has been defined as: a continuum of behaviour ranging from verbal abuse, physical, and sexual assault, to rape and even homicide. The vast majority of such violence, and the most severe and chronic incidents, are perpetrated by men against women and their children.

Department of health doh 20 in most cases the violence is against women by their partners or spouse and affects children belonging to one or both of them. Children can become victims of domestic violence either through being directly targeted or witnessing scenes of domestic violence between parents and their partners. At least 750,0 children a year witness violence within the home, and nearly three quarters of children on child protection registers live in households where domestic violence occurs. Abuse and violence may be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual, and may be constant or spasmodic. Yet domestic violence is experienced by individuals from every class, race, religion and culture the world over british medical association bma 19. While severe cases of domestic violence can often lead to women being hospitalised, others remain undetectable to the public eye, leaving women who live in constant fear of their partner or spouse, trying to avoid degradation.

A study by mayhew found that psychological and emotional abuse might be constant whilst the physical violence is intermittent mayhew et al 1996. For the child or young person this becomes a way of life one without stability or security and this can lead to behavioural problems and even crime. The focus of this dissertation is on the impact of domestic violence on the lives of children and young people. The main body of research is secondary, from journals, books, and internet sources. The primary research is in the form of 2 sets of questionnaires handed out to 40people. The first questionnaire uses a design based on a survey done by doctors from the university of arizona, which has already proven tube successful and reliable. Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who has hit you, kicked you, slapped you, punched you, or threatened to hurt you? 3.

My Favourite Book Essay for Class 6

Are you in a relationship with someone who yells at you, calls you names, or puts you down? wahl et al 2004: 25. People were only given the form if they said they had children, and were asked to fill it in on their way home from work or when they got back, and were given an sae. This method was chosen for reasons of personal safety as opposed to going round door to door. If the respondent answered yes to all questions then they were said to have suffered a prolonged period of domestic violence. In order to investigate the effects of domestic violence on adolescents questionnaire was devised for teenagers see appendix 1 and 20 were handed out at a youth centre in hammersmith to be filled out anonymously. It was decided to approach an association specifically setup for women who have suffered domestic violence, which is actively involved in policy work in the uk. The chairwoman was approached and asked whether she could arrange for a sample preferably those with family in a black community who would consider completing questionnaire for a research study on domestic violence and its effects on young people and children.

Hiring a Professional Writer for Academic Work

The chairwoman gave the researcher four names and email addresses of people who were willing to be contacted. However, the respondents and the association were to remain anonymous for reasons of confidentiality and security. As the sample was small, yet relevant, it was decided to use a more lengthy questionnaire, and interview the four subjects in more depth about their experience. Aside from the emotional effects, questions were designed to explore how domestic violence can be detrimental to learning and health. There are many voluntary organisations such as shelter, which provide counselling and places of refuge for women and children suffering domestic violence. Beneath are listed other services in the hammersmith and fulham area: refuge provides a freephone 24 hour national domestic violence helpline community efforts, such as the lsquo peace week. Rsquo the protection from harassment act 1997 prosecutions from the criminal justice act 1998 where the victim need not appear in court, but her statement used instead.

What happens to children in cases of domestic violence? the aftermath of domestic problems can be as damaging as the incidents or episodes themselves. Children can be present during an arrest of apparent, witness a parent breaking restraining orders and their reactions to court decisions. In these situations children can be used as pawns or in worst cases even be taken as hostages. In a qualitative study on the effects of domestic violence on children, mcgee's 20 study, along with other research, revealed that: children do not have to experience physical abuse to experience long term negative effects of living where extreme controlling behaviour and abuse are the norm.

Essay Review for Mba Application for Cheap

In order to protect themselves, children may take the father rsquo s side in an argument, and may themselves be abusive to their mother kelly 1996. Children regularly experience a sense of total powerlessness, wishing they could assist their mother, which may produce harm to their long term emotional wellbeing. This may later cause revenge fantasies, but at the time often leads them to have an overpowering need to stay in the room. It is not unusual for the child or young person to blame themselves for what is happening to their mother, particularly as the partner may have used their behaviour as a reason for losing his temper. Young people sometimes fear social services will remove them from the home if it is known violence and abuse exists.

Gaudi 200 provided evidence confirming that two thirds of the residents in refuges are children. However, this does not account for the hundreds who are afraid to report violence. The threat of leaving their family home, however unstable, is often not well received by children, and many would rather put up with domestic violence than remove themselves from it. Domestic violence in the black community has been recognised as being less likely to be reported mainly because women and young people do not wish to threaten the stability of their position within their community.

Eb White Essays Online

Women from african caribbean communities are less likely to report their experiences and therefore they experience prolonged abuse over a long, or sometimes indeterminate, time frame. One of the critical debates concerning domestic violence is the idea of lsquo getting used rsquo to a way of being treated and thus for it to become the norm within family life. An article written by a survivor of domestic violence said of her early years in jamaica: lsquo in my experience it was commonplace to hear of or even witness women/men being beaten by their spouses or partners in public view. Black communities in london are well established and people living within them rely on the social structure of their area.

The idea of leaving the area to live in a refuge where they might not understand english speaking people so well is an intimidating prospect for many. Thus, some women who do not speak english might delay seeking help, finding the language a barrier between them and british speaking organisations. Interpreters can be used, but involving a third partying a woman rsquo s private life can be an off putting idea.

How Do I Start My Definition Essay

Furthermore, religious or cultural beliefs might forbid divorce, and religious community leaders mostly being men, only some speak out about domestic violence. In the case of migrant women and children who suffer domestic abuse there often is the threat of not being able to stay in the uk if they separate from their partner. An even greater threat is that the partner might abduct the children and take them abroad. One of the most powerful psychological effects of domestic violence, physical or verbal, is the victim rsquo s distorted perspective of their abuser. Often women will make excuses for the person who attacks them blaming it on themselves or on drink or drugs or other stresses within their relationship.

This comes with an inability to prioritise their personal safety and wellbeing, and that of their children, believing that the emotional attachment between the family members might be enough to overcome the presence of violence. Consequently, the effects of the mother rsquo s decision to remain within the abusive relationship means that the child remains continually at risk from psychological and physical hurt. The effects of exposure to violence in the home are extensive and not always immediately evident. For the individual exposure to domestic violence can precipitate personality disorders, addictive disorders, substance abuse, and even physical disorders.