Cause and Effect

Grace Dunderdale

Rodrigue

English 4, Period 3

06 Feb 2014

Cause and Effect: The Causes of Domestic Violence

You’re heading home from work late in the evening while picturing the warm embrace you will receive when you arrive, but for many this is not the case. Thousands upon thousands of adults go home every night afraid. To them, it is not a matter of simply going home; it is the fear that they may not survive through the night. According to “Domestic Violence: Statistics & Facts”, the peak of violence is from six in the evening until six in the morning which leaves a large window for abuse to occur. Although most say that domestic violence does not have any serious effects, it is the number one cause of injury and emergency surgery in the country. The most common red flags to be aware are a need for power, the use of alcohol and drugs, and the cycle that started it all. Domestic violence is real and being informed about it can save a life and break the cycle.

Undoubtedly, power is everything to abusers, and having total control over another person is what keeps them going. If, at some point, they feel that power is being taken away, they retaliate. That power can be found in different forms. The most common form is social isolation. Not all social isolation is merely having no friends or being restricted and forbidden to see them. It can also be having no control over bank accounts and bills; that in itself can be terrifying

enough. This level of dictatorship causes excitement to the abuser. Now that they have control over their victim, they feel more confident in themselves. Then threats about kicking them out on the street come into play. You wouldn’t think it makes sense to just allow them leave, especially after all of the work they put into making sure they couldn’t leave. However, the victim knows that if they left they would have nothing; no money and homeless. “Domestic violence is the third largest cause of homelessness in...