Domestic Violence and How to Avoid It

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter with anticipation that you will publish it in your paper to help increase the lacking knowledge of the issue we continue to have of with Domestic Violence. 

Domestic violence has many forms including physical aggression (hitting, kicking, biting, shoving, restraining, slapping, throwing objects), or threats thereof; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; controlling or domineering; intimidation; stalking; passive/covert abuse (e.g., neglect); and economic deprivation.   On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day.  That’s more than 1,100 women a year.  Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women – more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.  Isn’t that something to think about?  Imagine your wife or daughter being a victim? What would you do?   Only 25% of all physical assaults perpetuated by intimate partners are reported to the police.  Many women fail to report their incidents because they are afraid; afraid of retaliation or additional abuse, so hundreds of these cases remain unreported.  How can Domestic Violence be reduced if women are unaware of how they can be helped, rescued or even saved from it happening again.  The factors most closely related to spouse abuse are the youth of both the offender and the victim (between 18 and 30 years old), low income, growing up in a violent family, alcohol or substance abuse, unemployment, sexual difficulties, and low job satisfaction.

Domestic/Dating violence costs the US $5.8 billion annually in health related costs, with $4.1 billion for victims needing medical and mental health services.  How can we reduce this?  Most victims of domestic violence experience both short-term and long-lasting effects.  Physical injuries can range from bruises, cuts, and burns to broken bones, stab wounds, miscarriages (in women), and death.  Victims of domestic violence also experience depression and other...