Domestic Violence Against Women Act Of 1994

“Domestic violence is a type of abuse by one or both partners in marriage, friends, family, dating or cohabitation” (Aziz & Mahmoud, 2010). There are many forms of abuse from verbal and emotional to physical that often escalates over time in intensity for the victim. Data from the criminal justice system, hospital patient medical records and mental health records, police reports, surveys and social services reports of thousands of women revealed that many are injured and killed as a result of violence from someone close to them. “The US Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender” (Robertson & Murachver, 2009). Researchers and the criminal justice system have not been able to agree on a clear definition to domestic violence which can range from physical injury, stalking, verbal abuse and humiliation, denial of shelter and access to money, and intimidation through aggressive behaviors. The definition of domestic violence may vary but the results from physical injury, mental and emotional trauma, and sometimes even death can last a life time.

Working with victims of domestic violence can be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. One of the most crucial aspects for a paralegal working with victim of domestic violence is adequately engaging in the task of educating oneself to understand the commonalities of such victims and the ordeals that they have been through. Such clients are drastically different from other individuals who have suffered other physical and violent crimes. Understanding the background of someone who has lived through domestic violence is absolutely central to being able to provide adequate and sensitive legal care. Most victims of domestic violence are women (95%) though domestic violence can have an impact on ever age, class, race, ethnic, cultural or religious group (purplerainfoundation, 2012). "In the United States, nearly one in three adult women experience at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood (American Psychological Association, Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family 1996 Report)" (purplerainfoundation, 2012). These women are often terrified of their partner's temper, apologize when they are abused and often in the most extremely controlling and isolated environment where the abusive partner will control who the partner sees and where the partner goes outside of the home, jealous of outside relationships (purplerainfoundation, 2012). In these abusive relationships the women are hit,

The NSW legal system has responded to the issue of domestic violence to achieve justice for family members. The Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 was introduced to better protect victims and the families of domestic violence. Under section 38 of this act, Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO’s) were introduced to protect the adult, importantly, it also instantly includes any children that are living with the adult at the time, unless there are valid reasons as to why they should be let off. This is highly effective for the family of domestic violence as it also ensures the safety of children which demonstrates fairness and equality as all members of the family are included to ensure safety. This act was also significant

Subsequently, VAWA continues to have a positive impact on the women who experience violence in the United States. The passing of the 2013 Violence against Women Act has proven that the national sentiment towards victims of domestic violence continues to move in a positive direction. It stands against the injustice being done to the American woman being abused right next door, to the Indian woman on a reservation enduring violence every now and then, to the human trafficked young girl brought here to sell her body, to the man who is silently being abused by his spouse. This act extends compassion and protection to all victims of abuse and it is a powerful legislative effort that guarantees the security and care of these

Despite the fact the physical effects of domestic violence could be the similar as for other forms of violent crime, the emotional effects can be much worse. Domestic violence happens when a crime is committed against a victim by someone with whom the victim is or has previously found, in a close relationship or somebody living in the same household as the victim. Domestic violence regulations differ from state to state. These variances range from conceptualization to the requirements under required reporting laws. Because of all these differences, the entire process of avoidance a domestic violence situation rest on each state. The Violence

into law. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2014, from National Network to End Domestic Violence: http://nnedv.org/policy/issues/vawa.html

For centuries domestic violence has been perceived as a private matter private of which the government has not been concerned about nor was it considered the government’s business to intervene on behalf of a battered spouse. The unlawful nature of this failure for state or federal government intervention against this crime contributed to the systematic abuse of women in the family. The traditions, customs, and common law found in both British and American societies continued right up until the last decade of the 20th century and left the battered wives and very frequently, her children, at the mercy of the husband. It wasn’t until the 1990’s when the government began to do something to protect mothers, wives, and lovers from intimate

Once the 1980’s came, a lot of different changes took place. If the police were called for help with domestic violence, they no longer ignored it. They would arrest and convict those who were guilty of domestic violence. If we look in today’s society although, some changes has been made on this topic; there are still a lot of work to do to prevent domestic violence and to raise awareness of this inconceivable social problem as we can see in the statistics of the state of South Caroline that makes this state No 1 for deadly violence against woman as was announced by the Washington Times in September 15, 2015.

There are many types of legislative actions concerning human services issues across the United States. The National Conference of State Legislatures website offers numerous state legislatures regarding domestic violence, child support, sexual assault, and more. The legislation I have chosen to focus on is in Louisiana, regarding domestic violence and child custody.

As expert competitors remind us on a week after week basis, domestic violence is a social issue which keeps on plaguing the country. Through stricter law implementation, enhanced healing facility reporting methods, and across the country training and directing, this issue can be lessened. Domestic violence has a wide range of names, for example, family brutality, battering, and wife beating. Every one of these terms allude to the same thing, misuse by conjugal, basic law, or a dating accomplice in a cozy relationship. It is not constrained to physical beating. It is any conduct that is expected to overwhelm and control another individual using mortification, dread, and physical or verbal strike. Domestic violence is a critical issue in today's

Intimate partner violence can affect many individuals who are victims of abuse, and those who witness the abuse, especially children. No individual should fall victim of physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse from a current or former partner. On account of intimate partner violence, there should be awareness to others that things need to be done to put an end to abuse caused to women. The act of bringing awareness is needed, because it would “target community attitudes about IPV, increase opportunities for victim assistance through direct and indirect services, and increase accountability for perpetrators” (Klevens, Baker, Shelly, & Ingram, 2008, pg. 347). Women who are victims of intimate partner violence deserve all the help

It has been recorded that approximately “2,000,000 injuries, and 1,300 deaths are caused each year as a result of domestic violence” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). This harm to and loss of life is due to the negligence of all Americans, in regards to the monitoring and managing of domestic violence in the United States. In order to combat the blatant disregard for domestic violence victims, Americans must support, aid, and assist those who fall victim to this crime, as well as educate those who are oblivious to the matter at hand. These actions will be essential in the eradication of domestic violence, as well as the preservation of the health and overall safety of all American people.

Victims of domestic violence are the main stakeholders of this issue as they are the ones who are being victimised of this illicit crime. The abuser is another stakeholder and they are the ones who are committing this crime. Authorities are the ones who deal with the abuser and society can change the existence of this issue.

The Court also expressed its opinions on the Domestic Violence Act saying that the main reason for enactment of Domestic violence Act is to secure protection to women from domestic violence and to prevent the instances of domestic violence from happening in the society. It has also been enacted to provide protection to women as guaranteed under the constitution from any violence occurring in the family.

Domestic Violence is a critical issue negatively impacting women in the world today. There has to be something done to prevent this type of abuse from happening. The results of my research revealed that there are many victims that do not know the type of help that is available and there needs to be major improvement in the way domestic violence cases are handled. Based on my findings, awareness and prevention programs should be implemented in every state in order prevent this type of abuse from happening over and over. Also, each program must be monitored to ensure they are following the proper guidelines in order to better serve the victims and their families.