Domestic violence is a big issue that is common in America. Most people don’t realize that is not just physical violence, psychological and emotional violence are also considered domestic violence. Domestic violence is also not only limited to intimate partners, it can be done to anyone residing in the home. For example, if a father abuses his child then that qualifies for domestic violence.

Physical violence is the most commonly looked at type of domestic violence. If you have ever watched the show “Cops”, you know that most of their calls are to homes reporting domestic violence. Majority of the time it involves the intimate partners living in the home. Physical violence is very scary in the fact that it almost always gets worse and never gets better. The first incident may start with a push or shove. Then a slap, then the next time it could be a punch or kick. Until finally its multiple punches, kicks,  and pushes until the victim is covered in injuries.

Emotional and psychological violence is also common in domestic violence relationships. Physical and emotional violence can involve one partner making the other feel worthless and “not good enough” for them. This is a technique that people with low self esteem will use to make their partner feel like they are never going to find someone better. They will also typically get jealous over a friend or coworker for one reason, and that being that they are so self conscious that they are worried they will be left for the friend.

Domestic violence follows a pattern of “honey moon” to “building tension” and then finally “explosion”. Victims of domestic violence will convince themselves that it will not happen again when they are in the honey moon phase, but it does not stop. Domestic violence is typically learned behavior. Majority of the time, the offender had a parent or guardian that also abused either them, or someone else in the household. The criminal justice system has created safe houses for women and children that fell victim to domestic violence. These safe houses will provide a roof over the heads of the woman and her children, help her find a job, help her find a more permanent home, and the organizations will under no circumstances give any information on the victim’s location. These sanctuaries do not allow men, and when male children turn 15, they are usually turned away…because domestic violence is learned behavior, they must do this to protect the victims that are living there.

Comment below how you think the criminal justice system can better prevent domestic violence from happening.