Draft Essay

“I saw my father hit my mother in the face” this was a statement from the

awarding winning actor Terry Crews in his speech to the 23rd Annual Championships

Gala, (https://www.goalcast.com › Relationships › Family). Like Crews, domestic

violence affects many families around the world. According to the US national statistics,

on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in

the United States, (ncadv.ord). Domestic violence destroys family environments, results

in emotional and psychological trauma in children and often leads victims to become

socially distant with family and friends.

Reports show that after the occurrence of domestic violence, the family

environment and the sense of safety that a home is to give is destroyed. Jeff Landers, a

writer for Forbes Magazine in his article titled Domestic Violence and Divorce, wrote that

domestic violence is a leading cause of divorce in the US. In an article by Hannah

Richardson, BBC News in September 2019, reports that government figures show that

thousands of women in England are fleeing domestic abuse only to find themselves

homeless. It further states that between January to March 2019, some six thousand

(6,000) people became homeless due to domestic abuse and divorce. A home is intended

to be a safe and protected environment but domestic violence affects its safety hence

enabling the separation of families.

Studies have shown that the experiences of domestic violence results emotional

and psychological effectsin children. Domesticviolence.com.au reports that children, who

live in homes where there is domestic violence, grow up in an environment that is

unpredictable as a result of living in a household dominated by tension and fear. Children

who witness violence inflicted on their mothers often evidence behavioral, somatic or

emotional problems similar to those experienced by physically abused children

(Jaffe,Wolfe, and Wilson 1990). The emotional and psychological impacts of domestic

violence on children ranges from aggressive behaviour especially in teenagers to being at

greater risks of being violent in future relationships (womenshealth.gov).

Statistically, the focus of domestic violence has been perceived as one-

dimensional focusing only on those inside the household, however,

beyondintractability.org purport that the extended family and friends of both the victim

and abuser is also affected. Webmd.com lists a sign of domestic abuse as separation from

family and friends. Victims often become less sociable then isolate themselves from their

families and friends out of fear of further abuse from abuser or being blamed for the

attack. While Victims will become isolated and distant from their families during abuse,

family members should be made aware of the signs of domestic abuse so that they may

be able to identify them early and assist quickly.

To conclude, the damaging impact of domestic violence should be tackled at the

root. Couples are to receive frequent counseling in dispute resolution so that the disputes

and physical violence are minimized. After the occurrence, the focus should be placed on

the children who are exposed and measures put in place to assist these children in moving

positively and holistically away from the traumatic experience. Domestic violence is no

joke and so reducing its impact on family life should be seen as high priority.