The term “domestic violence,” by definition, is violence or aggression in the home, usually involving spouses or partners. Simply put, it is abuse.
This definition has expanded since the term was first coined in 1973, to include abuse from a parent to a child or between siblings. Domestic violence has been around since the beginning of time…we just didn’t call it that. Prior to 1850, when Tennessee passed laws “explicitly outlawing wife beating,” abusers were simply punished by four lashes. The U.S. has since come up with Violence Against Women Acts (VAWA), funding programs and creating resources to assist victims and punish their abusers. Emotional abuse and sexual abuse are listed as a form of domestic violence. The most recent VAWA of 2022 improved prevention and response to sexual violence.
Men are often assumed to be abusers; however, women abuse too. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, over 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and over 1 in 4 men (28.5%), fall victim to domestic violence in their lifetime.
When two people meet, there is always the chance of violence occurring.
If you suspect someone is in a domestic violence situation, there is help: 1-800-799-7233 or text “Begin” to 88788.
Written by Tracy Mcintosh
Resources provided by pacwrc.pitt.edu
Photo resource provided by FocusOnTheFamily.com
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