Domestic Violence and the Justice System

Domestic Violence and the Justice System

Tammy McDaniel

SOC305: Crime & Society

Florence Ferguson

December 3, 2012

Abstract

Domestic Violence is a problem within our society. A message needs to be sent to first offenders that domestic violence will not be tolerated. This paper will explain what domestic violence is, it will show statistics in the amount of domestic violence that is committed, it will give an example of what experts say about the problem. It will also describe an alternative solution to the problem. By examining all the details and possible solutions, domestic violence offenders may just think twice before committing this violent act.

Domestic Violence and the Justice System

Domestic violence has been plaguing our society for years, and its victims are mostly women. Domestic violence/abuse is a large-scale and complex social and health problem. Something has to be done to prevent this type of abuse from happening. There also needs to be major improvements in the way domestic violence cases are handled. Based on my findings, awareness and prevention programs should be implemented in every state in order to prevent this type of abuse from happening over and over. The results of my research will also reveal the statistics of domestic violence and what the law has to say. This paper will also give alternative solutions to the problem. Domestic violence is a serious problem that needs to be fixed.

What is Domestic Violence? What does it involve? According to the U.S. Department of Justice “We define domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten,...