Domestic Violence

A current Social Problem

Domestic violence does not discriminate it happens in every racial
and ethnic community( National Association of Social Workers 2014 )
The problem has been around since early in our countrys history. In
this century it had became prevalent and wide spread among people every.
In the distance past the attitude was very different men thought they had a
right to abuse their wives because women had a minimal amount of rights .
The negative effects


Many women are often held captive by their own sense of powerlessness . (National
Association of Social Workers 2014) The fear that if they leave their current situation
they will have to care for themselves and their children alone creates feelings of
depression and despair. ( National Association of Social Workers 2014) The signs of this
crime is isolation from others, women who are over achiever and want to please their
spouse and others. ( National Association of Social Workers 2014) Feelings of guilt or
shame.( National Association of Social Workers 2014) When partners blame the victim
for all that go wrong ( National Association of Social Workers 2014)
A High Profile Case

Just recently in the news a high profile case has been talked about on
news shows and tabloids. The case involves a running back for the
Baltimore Ravens Ray Rice who has been suspended indefinitely by the
NFL. A video was released online by TMZ .


A High Profile Case


The video showed Rice punching Janay Palmer who was his fiance at
the time, inside an elevator at a hotel in Atlantic City New Jersey. She
lunges after Rice and then he hits her again and she falls to the floor
(Martin et al. 2014).

Legislation on Domestic Violence

In 1994 Congress passed the violence against women act. (VAWA)
(Justice.gov 2014) this Act and the 1996 additions to the Act recognize
that domestic violence is a national crime and that federal laws can
help local and state criminal justice systems to relieve the burden
.(Justice.gov 2014)
VAWA-Violence Against Women Act

This Act is a landmark of Federal legislation it has a comprehensive
approach to violence against women. (Justice.gov 2014)
VAWA

The rates of prosecution against offenders are increasing.
(Whitehouse.gov 2010)
This Act is encouraging the community to develop law enforcement
and prosecution units and domestic violence dockets.
(Whitehouse.gov 2010)
Domestic Violence Hotline


The National Domestic Violent Hotline has been established which
has answered over 3 million calls and receives over 22,000 calls. Every
month 92% of callers report that its their first call for help. Retrieved
from (Whitehouse.gov 2010)

The Current Policy

The current policy has been in place since 1994. Now it is the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013).
(Whitehouse.gov 2010)

State Laws now
All states have authorized warrantless arrests in misdemeanor
domestic violence cases where the responding officer determines that
probable cause exists. (Whitehouse.gov 2010)
Statistics


Between 1993 to 2007 the rate of intimate partner homicides of
females decreased 35% and the rate of intimate partner homicides of
males decreased 46% . (Whitehouse.gov 2010)
Statistics


Between 1993 to 2010 the rate of intimate partner violence declined
67%. (Whitehouse.gov 2010)
VAWA has created positive change since its inception.
(Whitehouse.gov 2014)

Critique of current Policy


The current policy has improved awareness and the criminal justice
response to violence against women.
This policy helps women who are a minority . On the other hand the
policy is reactive not proactive it does not help to prevent violence
before it occurs. However, it is overall a good policy
Who Supports and Opposes the
Policy

Several organizations and groups that focus on awareness and
support for abused and battered women. Most liberal pundits and
Vice President Joe Biden support the vawa . Some conservatives that
do not believe in social programs may lean towards opposing the
policy.
References

National Association of Social Workers( 2014) The Social Work Response to Domestic Violence.
Retrieved from www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/events/domesticviolence/response.asp
.
. Department of Justice( 2014) Federal Domestic Violence Laws.
Retrieved from : http://www.justice.gov/usaol/gan/documents/federall
Whitehouse.gov( 2010) Fact sheet The Violence Against Women Act
Retrieved from: www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/vawa_-fact sheet.pdf
Almasy, S., Martin,J. (2014, Sept 16). Ray Rice terminated by team,suspended by NFL after new
violent video. Retrieved from CNN U. S. http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/08/us ray-rice--new-video/