UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN

VALLEY
Formerly (Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao)
Tuguegarao City Cagayan

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINOLOGY

Graduate School

PROFESSOR : CRISANTO M. SAIT, RCRIM, PH.D.

NAME : BACACAO, JACKSON B.
SUBJECT : DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
REPORTER : GAMMAD, CHRISZALETTE G.
GUIDE QUESTION : WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

ANALYTICAL PAPER

INTRODUCTION:
Domestic violence is about power and control. Abuse can happen to anyone of any race, gender,
sexual orientation, or religion. The factors that cause or contribute to domestic violence are
complex. It’s important to remember that the only behavior you’re responsible for is your own.
Likewise, a person who commits an act of violence or ongoing pattern of abuse is solely
responsible for their decisions.
Why do some people become domestic abusers? The answer is complicated.
If you’ve experienced domestic abuse, you might wonder why your abuser acted the way they
did. You may hope that learning about the risk factors for abuse can help you make sense of your
abuser’s behavior.
Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, financial,
technological, and psychological abuse.
Perpetrators may target their partners (called intimate partner violence), children, siblings,
parents, or anyone else in their household. Approximately 10 millionTrusted Source people in
the United States experience domestic violence every year.
While certain factors can increase the likelihood that someone will become abusive, this doesn’t
mean that they shouldn’t be held accountable for their behavior.
Their actions are their responsibility — and none of the blame lies with the person who is being
abused or violated.
Sha

BODY:
Domestic violence is a learned behavior

The researchTrusted Source on domestic violence suggests it’s a learned behavior.

In other words, people learn to be violent from the household, community, and society that
surrounds them. When people witness violence, they may model the same behavior.
With that said, it’s possible to unlearn violent behavior and break the cycle of abuse. While
people may learn to be abusive from their upbringing and surroundings, the onus is still on them
to treat people with respect.
But What really causes domestic violence?
Domestic violence can be varied and individual, and there is no one cause of domestic violence.
It’s important to remember that domestic violence is a choice, not an uncontrolled impulse. A
survivor’s actions cannot cause abusive behavior.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, you are never to blame. You can’t “make” someone
abuse you, no matter what an abuser may say.
Even if you could do everything possible to please an abusive partner, their need to control you
will likely still show itself through their behavior eventually.
In some cases, intimate partner abuse can be influenced by situations, including your own state
of behavioral well-being. For example, if you and your partner both experience tendencies
toward domestic violence, the situation may quickly spiral out of control.
While the possible causes of domestic violence may be as complex as some of the warning
signs, researchTrusted Source suggests much of domestic violence behavior is learned.
Children who witness domestic abuse may grow up thinking physical or psychological violence
are acceptable ways to solve conflict. In the same way, raising children to believe a different
gender is inferior may result in exhibiting controlling behavior later in life.
The need for control that could lead to domestic violence may be linked to several individual
factors, including:
 less access to education
 personality disorders
 substance use
 cultural attitudes
 gender ideologies
 low self-esteem
 struggling with anger management
 insecurity
However, having some of these traits doesn’t automatically mean someone will have an unmet
need for control that develops into domestic violence.
Having a partner who is insecure or experiences low self-esteem doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll
have tendencies for abuse.
Power and control
Domestic violence is set apart by one partner’s behavior pattern used to gain or maintain control
and power over another partner. Abusers tend to use these behavioral tactics to keep their partner
in the relationship.
Usually, abusive behavior starts subtly and gradually and can become continuous over time.
With domestic violence, these nuanced behaviors lead to physical, sexual, or psychological
violence.
Even when domestic abuse escalates, the more subtle behaviors — like financial or emotional
abuse — may continue being used as a method of reinforcing violence by subduing the abused
partner further, making them easier to control.
If you notice your partner’s behaviors are increasingly focused on controlling or manipulating
you, this could indicate that you may be in an escalating domestic violence situation.

CONCLUSION:
Domestic violence is one of the most horrendous kinds of abuse suffered women in our society
today. The statistics show that 85 percent of domestic violence victims are female. Only 15
percent of victims are men. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, it does not matter the race,
creed, religion, or standing in society of the victim. If the issue of domestic violence is not dealt
with in a manner, which is sufficient, then this type of abuse will continue among all classes of
society with no ending. In order for us as a society to eradicate this horrendous type of abuse, we
need to stand together and make tougher laws, which will protect the victims of this abuse.
RECOMMENDATION:
There are ways that we can stop domestic violence and I think this will help not only the children
and women but will also educate men.
1. Approach domestic violence as a human rights issue involving men and women of all ages and
socioeconomic, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Support men to be empowered
bystanders who
can help confront abusive peers.
2. Support a workplace environment safe from all forms of violence and have policies in place
that
support victims in accessing information, services and legal remedies.
3. If you suspect that someone close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, gently
ask if
you can help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for 24 hour assistance at 1-800-799-
SAFE.
4. Talk to your faith leaders about domestic violence. Discuss ways in which your faith
community can
promote healthy relationships, provide support to victims and their children, and send clear
messages
that domestic violence is not acceptable.
5. If a relative, friend, classmate, colleague, or teammate is abusing his partner -- or is
disrespectful or
abusive to girls and women in general -- don’t look the other way. If you feel comfortable doing
so, try
to talk to him about it. Urge him to seek help. If you don’t know what to do, consult a domestic
violence program. Don’t remain silent.
6. Have the courage to look inward. Question your own attitudes and make a positive change
where
necessary.
7. Encourage young boys to be nurturing and young girls to be strong. Help children develop
knowledge,
attitudes, and beliefs that lead to healthy relationships. Visit www.safeandrespectful.org to learn
more.
8. Foster collaboration among community groups working on violence prevention. Help make
the
connections between youth violence, bullying, child abuse and domestic violence so that
knowledge,
resources and strategies are shared.
9. Be an ally to men and women who are working to end all forms of gender violence. Support
events
and raise money for community-based domestic violence and sexual assault programs.
10. Respect and promote respect for all people, regardless of race, gender, religious affiliation, or
sexual
orientation. Do not tolerate discrimination, violence, or degrading behaviors against anyone you
perceive to be different from yourself.
11. Model nonviolent, respectful behavior in your family. Call a domestic violence or child
abuse
prevention program if you need help.
12. Recognize that teaching peace begins at home. Teach your children and grandchildren to
reject
violence, especially in the face of peer pressure or messages to the contrary in popular culture.
13. Support education initiatives that address teen dating violence. Encourage schools to include
information on healthy relationships as part of standard curriculum materials.
14. Encourage training on how technology can aid victims of domestic violence and protect from
on-line
abuse. To learn more visit www.nnedv.org/safetynet.
15. Become a member of the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence!