A Case Study on Domestic Violence Against Women

By default, women are on the same level as men—point for point, ability and talent, capacity and potential. However, the physical qualities of women often put them on a lower rung, owing to biological factors such as reproduction that make women’s bodies relatively smaller and less strong. This gap is where the concept of domestic violence operates, particularly the act committed by a man against his female partner.Many women are known to be partial to keeping domestic violence a secret, because they are usually of low self-image and are under constant depression. A battered woman is the result of domestic violence, which happens when an individual in a marriage or intimate relationship attempts to control and dominate the other (Davies, et al, 2007). On the outset, there are no perceived differences between a regular woman, and one who is a victim of domestic violence; both, specially those who engage in various social circles, always put their best foot forward, as a rule.However, the â€Å"healthy† woman remains to be a productive, functioning member of the society where she belongs, in full control of her capabilities; while the â€Å"battered† woman exhibits signs of lack of emotional control, eating disorders, and symptoms of alcohol abuse. A woman undergoing domestic violence becomes a battered woman through an escalation of three different stages: tension-building, explosion, and calm. The cycle of abuse and battery coincides with the woman’s psyche, since the last phase, also known as the honeymoon stage, positively reinforces whatever concerns she may have against her partner (Rubenstein, 2004).Hence, a specific term was coined to refer to the pattern of symptomatic behavioral and psychological qualities apparent in women part of violent relationships. Commonly, four characteristics define what is known as the â€Å"battered woman’s syndrome†: She believes she caused the violence to happen. She is incap able of crediting the violence committed to someone other than herself. She often fears for her and her children’s lives and safety. She believes that her abuser can do and see anything and everything (Walker, 1984). II. Shelters for Battered WomenFollowing the confirmation of conditions defining domestic violence and battery, women victims may seek protection in numerous battered women’s shelters across the United States. All of them are equipped with 24-hour hotlines, and commit to confidentiality. Three requirements are to be adhered to: (1) the woman must be ready and willing to leave her home to protect herself and her children from more abuse, (2) the woman should strictly follow the shelter’s confidentiality rules to ensure the safety of other resident, and (3) the woman does not require a restraining order to be accepted in the shelter (CRII, 2001-2008).III. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Collectively, the NCADV aims to promote goals and mi ndsets in persons and communities who believe in ending cycles of violence and abuse. It declares that violence against women comes from the ambition to maintain control as well as abuse of power, and its mission is to implement rules that will ensure change to eliminate causes of violence and battery.The NCADV is made up of people who genuinely care about the plight of battered women and their families in the city and countryside, regardless of ethnicity, socio-economic class, or religion. Today, the NCADV is responsible for over 2,000 shelters for women and service programs (NCADV, 2005). References Rubenstein, Lori S. (2004). â€Å"Battered Woman’s Syndrome†. Divorce Net. website, accessed on 18 August 2008 at http://www. divorcenet. com/states/oregon/or_art02 Davies, Pat, et al. (2007). â€Å"Domestic Violence and Abuse†. Helpguide. org website,accessed on 18 August 2008 at http://www. helpguide. org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects. htm National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2005). â€Å"Mission Statement and Purpose†. NCADV website, accessed on 18 August 2008 at http://www. ncadv. org/aboutus. php Community Resources Information, Inc. (2001-2008). â€Å"What are shelters for battered women? † CRII website, accessed on 18 August 2008 at http://www. massresources. org/pages. cfm? ContentID=23&pageID=2&Subpages='yes'&SecondLevelDynamicID=761&DynamicID=469