Issues in Domestic Violence

Fatal Domestic Violence Factsheet

Abstract

Domestic Violence is a serious socio-legal challenge, which has pushed governments to legislate and devise policies to curb it. As per statistics, one out of three women and one out of four men have experienced domestic violence in one form or another. It is also evident that minor incidents of domestic violence evolve into fatal domestic violence instances. We have learned, from the methodical study of statistical evidence that women are more likely to be the victim of fatal domestic violence. Women that age between 18 and 40 are likely to be the victim of fatal domestic violence and chances of fatal domestic violence increase 400 times with the access to firearms. It is true that deaths related to firearms have decreased over the years; however, still most of the victims of fatal domestic violence are murdered by their intimate partners or husbands (current or former) with firearms. In this academic exercise, we will study statistical evidence to understand fatal domestic violence and its causes. We will also discuss different interventions

Section 1 Fatal Domestic Violence

As per legal understanding of Domestic Violence, it is a crime that includes both felony and misdemeanor crimes of violence and it is committed by a current or former husband/boyfriends/intimate-partners. Socially, domestic violence is understood as deliberate or intentional intimidation, physical assault, sexual assault and abusive behavior to establish control over the intimate-partner/husband/wife (former or current). There are several forms and stages of domestic violence, which suggests that domestic violence is a complex subject (Davies & Lyon, Domestic Violence Advocacy: Complex Lives/Difficult Choices, 2013).

Studies reveal that domestic violence is an international challenge, which has mounted pressure on governments around the world to introduce such legislation and devise such policies that reduce domestic violence in a society. Statistics also tell that domestic violence is not just an issue of developing countries or conservative societies, but also of developed countries and progressive societies. We learn from the reports about this subject that in both developed and developing countries, considerable cases of domestic abuse or domestic violence are never reported, which complicates the challenge even further.  For instance, most of the instances of fatal domestic violence evolve from minor or trivial domestic abuse/violence instances (Stöckl, et al., 2013).

In this academic exercise, we will focus on fatal domestic violence, its dynamics, and the characteristics of perpetrators. We will also emphasize weapons used in different instances of domestic homicide, which is essential to understand what instruments are in what particular manner in instances of fatal domestic violence.

Section 2 Statistical Evidence about Fatal Domestic Violence

Statistics, about domestic violence, are quite interesting. It is generally believed that women are usually the victim of domestic violence; however, it is not true. For instance, as per statistics, of NCAVD, 1 (one) out of 3 (three) women and 1 (one) out of 4 (four) men have experienced some domestic violence (physical domestic violence) by an intimate partner (current or ex). Statistics also reveal that 1 (one) in 7 (seven) women and 1 (one) in 25 (twenty-five) men have injured by their husbands/wives/intimate-partners. The report also claims that 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by their partners, which is an instrument of intimidation (The Hotline Org, 2018).

Figures, about Fatal Domestic Violence (2015), show that women are more likely to get killed by an intimate partner (current or former) than men. In the year 2015, around 1000 women were killed by their husbands or intimate partners. The statistics also reveal that one in three female murder victims was killed by their intimate partners, whereas their intimate partners killed one in 20 male murder victims. It suggests that it is more likely that women may die because of domestic violence than men. Some studies have inferred that race and ethnicity is also a relevant factor in fatal domestic homicide (Metrics, et al., 2017).

Annual Report by Female Homicide Victims reveals that around three women are killed, every day, by their husbands or intimate partners in the United States. This report endorses the claim them women are mostly the victim of domestic abuse.

Age is also a serious factor that contributes to fatal domestic violence. Studies suggest that women, who age between 18 and 35, are more likely to experience domestic violence of various sorts. Therefore, females that age between 18 and 35 are more likely to get killed by their intimate partners. This period is also a period of financial fluctuations and instability, which brings an economic/financial angle to this entire phenomenon (Websdale, 2003).

Section 3 Risk Factors of Fatal Domestic Violence

We have already established that minor or trivial incidences of domestic violence evolve into fatal domestic violence instances. Therefore, these minor incidences must be the focus of prevention strategies about domestic violence. The attributes of minor or trivial domestic abuse are risk factors for fatal domestic Violence. In this section of this academic exercise, we will identify risk factors for fatal domestic violence, and we will discuss them in detail.

1. Interpersonal Violence: Studies have concluded that most of the victims of internal personal violence (IPV) are at risk for homicide by their intimate partners or husbands. Therefore, data about interpersonal violence victims should be gathered and maintained to reduce the incidences of fatal domestic violence. We have also learned that a considerable number of victims do not report; therefore, a collection of accurate and comprehensive data is not easy. To address this issue authorities or agencies that are asked to collect data on victims of interpersonal violence should emphasize on Emergency Departments, where interpersonal Victims come for medical aid (Stöckl, et al., 2013).
2. Gun Possession: From the study of statistics, about domestic violence, we learn that around 4.5 women had claimed that they were threatened by their intimate partners/husbands (current or former) with a firearm. We also learn that around 1 million women have been shot by their intimate partners, husbands, or abusers. The further study of data about fatal domestic violence reveals that 35% of women were killed with firearms by their inmate partners. As per some projections, the chances of femicide increase by around 400% because of accessing to firearms. Also, chances of death increase twelve times, during an incident of domestic violence, because of access to firearms (Ncadv.Org, 2018).

Source: https://www.vox.com/cards/gun-violence-facts/gun-homicide-decline-crime-drop

It is apparent from the above graph that firearm-related homicides have decreased gradually, which has also reduced fatal domestic violence instances in which firearm are used. However, it is also a fact that a large number of victims of fatal domestic violence are killed because of the access to a gun or firearm (Zahn, 2003).

3. Alcohol Abuse: Some studies suggest that there is a strong positive correlation between alcohol abuse and fatal domestic violence. It means that individuals who suffer from alcoholism or alcohol abuse must be emphasized to reduce domestic violence.
4. Prior Physical Abuse: In most cases, it is unreported prior physical abuse, which becomes the cause of fatal domestic violence. By emphasizing cases of trivial or minor domestic violence, authorities can reduce domestic violence significantly (Stöckl, et al., 2013).

Section 4 Types of Interventions

Family Interventions:

When such abuses begin to occur, it is imperative for the family to intervene and report such incidence. Also, the family provides strong psychological support to the victim, which is essentially required during this period. Furthermore, a family is a better position to provide financial assistance to the victim, who is most financially vulnerable during this period of domestic abuse (Duer, 2014).

Social Interventions:

There are numerous social institutions and non-governmental organizations that provide various kinds of services to the victims of domestic violence. Social intervention has many forms, which include counseling and advocacy. In addition to counseling and advocacy, social institutions and non-governmental organizations provide new and more protected arrangements.

Only an early intervention is an effective intervention. Therefore, fatal domestic violence prevention strategies are emphasized early interventions, which must be comprehensive, and systemic (Campbell, et al., 2003). In fact, a comprehensive and effective intervention would be socio-legal, and it would be early intervention. It is quite evident that fatal domestic homicide has stages and in its early stages, fatal domestic violence is typical domestic violence of minor nature. Therefore, an intervention must be designed to take necessary or imperative action on minor instances of domestic violence. There is enormous evidence that Practitioners’ effective intervention can reduce the risk of death (Block, 2003).

Section 5 Death (Fatality) Review Processes

The Domestic Violence Fatality Review is a term devised to define a system or a process that identifies various types of gaps, loops, and lacunas in a coordinated response to domestic violence. It is apparent that a comprehensive and effective response, in the form of intervention, can reduce cases or instances of fatal domestic violence. Therefore, it is essential to identify different challenges or contradictions that keep a system from effectively responding to domestic violence.

The process of review, of fatal domestic violence, facilitates isolating and understanding various risk factors, which directly increase the probability of fatal domestic homicide. For instance, investigators and researchers examine the circumstances in which a victim has been murdered. The collected circumstantial evidence, of various cases, is preserved in the form of large data sets that are examined by using statistical and non-statistical techniques to identify a pattern of fatal domestic violence (Queensland Government, 2017).

Some Domestic Violence Fatality Review systems intend to generate a community-level response or change, which could prevent various both domestic violence and fatal domestic violence. For instance, some studies suggest that Domestic Violence Fatality Review processes have a substantial impact on the community, and it can change the response of the community towards domestic violence.

As the collection and preservation of data have simplified, it has become less cumbersome to collect circumstantial evidence about domestic violence homicide. As the size of data is growing, the review process is becoming more potent, providing more insights into domestic violence homicides.

Section 6 Conclusion

In the end, it is concluded that Fatal Domestic Violence is a serious challenge, which victims are mostly women. In recent years the instances of domestic violence and fatal domestic violence have decreased; however, it remains a serious challenge. The systematic study of fatal domestic violence has identified patterns of fatal domestic violence and risk factors associated with it. From the methodical study of statistics, we know that women the age between 18 and 35 are more exposed to domestic violence and therefore, they are like victims of fatal domestic violence. Similarly, we have learned that chances homicide or death because of domestic violence increase many folds when the abuser has access to a firearm.

The death review process has also not only facilitated in understanding the causes and patterns of fatal domestic violence, but it has also aided in identifying universal risk factors. Also, Domestic Violence Fatality Reviews are mobilizing communities to intervene to avoid fatal domestic violence systematically.

Statistical Evidence about Fatal Domestic Violence

• 1 (one) out of 3 (three) women and 1 (one) out of 4 (four) men have experienced some domestic violence
• 1 (one) in 7 (seven) women and 1 (one) in 25 (twenty-five) men have injured by their husbands/wives/intimate-partners
• 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by their partner
• In the year 2015, around 1000 women were killed by their husbands or intimate partners
• Women, who age between 18 and 35, are more likely to experience domestic violence of various sorts

Risk Factors of Fatal Domestic Violence

• Interpersonal Violence
• Gun Possession
• Alcohol Abuse
• Prior Physical Abuse

Types of Interventions

• Family Interventions
• Social Interventions

References

Block, C. R. (2003). How can practitioners help an abused woman lower her risk of death? National Institute of Justice Journal, 1(250), 4-7.

Campbell, J. C., Webster, D., McLain, J. K., Block, C. R., Campbell, D., Curry, M. A.,. . . Wilt, S. A. (2003). Assessing risk factors for intimate partner homicide. National Institute of Justice Journal, 1(250), 14-19.

Davies, J., & Lyon, E. (2013). Domestic Violence Advocacy: Complex Lives/Difficult Choices (2 ed.). SAGE Publications.

Duer, E. (2014). Family and Intimate Partner Homicide in Virginia: 2014. Retrieved from https://www.communitysolutionsva.org/files/2014_FIPS_Report_FINAL.pdf

Metrics, A., Blair, J. M., Betz, C. J., Fowler, K. A., Jack, S. P., & Lyons, B. H. (2017). Racial and ethnic differences in homicides of adult women and the role of intimate partner violence—United States, 2003–2014. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 66(28), 741–746.

Ncadv.Org. (2018, January 1). NATIONAL STATISTICS. Retrieved from https://ncadv.org/statistics

Queensland Government. (2017). Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board-2016–17 Annual Report. Retrieved from http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/TabledPapers/2017/5617T4.pdf

Stöckl, H., Devries, K., Rotstein, A., Abrahams, N., Campbell, J., Watts, C., & Moreno, C. G. (2013). The global prevalence of intimate partner homicide: a systematic review. The Lancet, 382(9895), 859-865.

The Hotline Org. (2018, January 1). Get the Facts & Figures. Retrieved from http://www.thehotline.org/resources/statistics/

Websdale, N. (2003). Reviewing domestic violence deaths. National Institute of Justice Journal, 1(250), 26-31.

Zahn, M. A. (2003). Intimate partner homicide: An overview. National Institute of Justice Journal, 1(250), 2-3.