Domestic violence

University of Texas at El Paso

RWS 1301
Oct. 30. 2016
Julia Garcia-Gonzalez

Running head: Domestic violence

Garcia-Gonzalez

Abstract
Many people live in fear, but there are different kinds of fear. It is not the same to be
afraid of heights than to be afraid of dogs; or to be afraid of ghosts and to be afraid of speaking.
Domestic violence is a very big problem all around the world. The biggest one is that people
dont talk about it because they are afraid to speak out, not be heard, to ask for help and instead
of getting it, that causes them more violence and problems. This is a very important issue,
especially because it is a very quiet problem, usually people do not seek help to solve it. Every
person around the world should be aware of domestic abuse and know that there is always
someone who can help out the victims.
Introduction
Domestic violence is an abusive behavior with a person in any relationship, generally
people use violence to show power and control the other person. According to the department of
justice, domestic violence can be emotional, sexual, physical, economic, or psychological
actions or threats of actions that influence another person. (Department of justice, 2016).
Emotional abuse is commonly by use of words and insults, just to damage the victim self-steam.
Sexual abuse is when the victim has sexual contact with the abuser without their consent.
Physical abuse is hitting, slapping, biting, and any kind of damage to the body. Economic abuse
is when one person (the abuser) controls the economic situation of the victim, all the money that
the person has or earns its not on their power. Psychological abuse, are actions that damage the
victims emotions and makes them feel fear and intimidation and that causes isolation to the
victim. Psychological abuse is similar to emotional abuse. Domestic abuse is a very general and
complex topic, but everyone can understand what it is.

Running head: Domestic violence

Garcia-Gonzalez

Statistics
According to the hotline website Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%)
in the US have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner and report a
related impact on their functioning. (Hotline website, 2016).

(Graph# 1, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and secondary education, 2007)

The graph shows statistics of how domestic violence, including Dating violence make a negative
effect in the victims life. According to the graph, some consequences of abuse are, Bad grades,
Missed school because the victims feel unsafe, depression, intentional self-injury, suicide, smoke
cigarettes, use of drugs, got pregnant and dangerous weight loss methods. According to the 34th
Judicial District of El Paso Texas, in Texas 1 out of every 5 Hispanic Texas females have
reported that they have being forced to have sex without their concern. In 2009 there was

Running head: Domestic violence

Garcia-Gonzalez

196,713 family violence incidents reported in Texas and of those 196,713 cases, 111 were
women killed by their partner. (the 34th Judicial District of El Paso TX., 2016).

In el Paso Texas, in 2010, El Paso Distict Attoneys office got 5,512 domestic violence cases
presented. (34th Judicial District of El Paso TX., 2016).

Places for help

on internet people can find a shelter or place where they can get help, but the problem is that the
fear of the victims dont let them seek for that help they need. In El Paso Texas there are
different places where the victims can go and get help with their cases. These are some places
where people can get advice or get help without fearing that things would get out of place:
Center against family problems; this one basically help families that live with violence in their
homes. El Paso police department, Texas council on family violence, The National Women
Health Information Center; that is only for women. The national domestic hotline and the
national abuse dating Hotline and love good bag ugly.
Conclusion
Everywhere in the world there is some kind of abuse, but Domestic violence is a big one.
According to research statistics of domestic violence are high. there are different places where
people can get advice if they are being domestically abuse. In El Paso Texas there are many
places where people can get advice or get help without fearing that things would get out of
control. People have to understand that this is a very serious problem and that the more time they

Running head: Domestic violence

Garcia-Gonzalez

kept silent, the greater the consequences and pain will be for the victims. It is very important for
people to know that there is always someone willing to help but silence will never be the answer
to the problem.

Resources

Running head: Domestic violence

Garcia-Gonzalez

A Same-Sex Domestic Violence Epidemic Is Silent - The Atlantic. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24,
2016, from http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/11/a-same-sex-domesticviolence-epidemic-is-silent/281131/
Dont Let Yourself | El Paso Domestic/Dating Abuse Initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24,
2016, from http://www.dontletyourself.org/
Domestic (Intimate Partner) Violence Fast Facts - CNN.com. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2016,
from http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/06/us/domestic-intimate-partner-violence-fastfacts/index.html
Domestic Violence News, Photos and Videos - ABC News. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2016,
from http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/issues/domestic-violence.htm
Domestic Violence | OVW | Department of Justice. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2016, from
https://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence
50 Facts About Domestic Violence | Huffington Post. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2016, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/soraya-chemaly/50-actual-facts-aboutdom_b_2193904.html