Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Victimology The topic for this week is domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV). The readings for this week and the zoom lecture give an introduction to DV/IPV including the prevalence, prevalence for heterosexual & non-heterosexual relationship violence, obstacles to leaving, and the impacts of the crime.
This fundamental information is incredibly useful to know, but from a victimological perspective, we must explore the common misconception that domestic violence victims are complacent in their abuse (i.e., don’t leave) and therefore blameworthy. Though the fact of the matter is that though it takes an average of 7 times for a victim to successfully leave, the vast majority of victims do ultimately leave the abusive relationship. Yet, the general societal response to domestic violence situations is “why doesn’t she just leave?”. Not only is this the wrong and empirically incorrect question to be asking – because it not only implies blame but also isn’t factually supported – but it ignores all of the obstacles victims must overcome to leave.
Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Obstacles
This week, we are going to explore these obstacles to leaving in greater depth. Complete this activity review the document and answer the following questions in your discussion post:
Give a summary of your short term (immediately and within a month of leaving) plan.
Give a summary of your long term plan (beyond the first 30 days following leaving).
After thinking through and noting what you would do, please reflect on this activity. While this was simply an activity, these are real challenges associated with leaving, and these challenges are exactly why some victims return to their abuser and are subsequently killed by their spouses or end up killing their abuser themselves. Did this activity cause you to reconsider the challenges associated with leaving a violent relationship? Explain.
This activity primarily focuses on the logistic obstacles of leaving. The readings and lecture highlight other barriers to leaving that victims face (e.g., having a love for the perpetrator). Provide another barrier to leaving that was not presented in this activity.
Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
The scenario depicted in this activity is rather surface level and ignores some of the additional challenges one may face when actually in this situation. For example, this activity is set in Los Angeles, a metropolitan area with many resources and transportation options that may not be available for someone living in a rural area. As another example, the victim or his/her children may have mental or physical health issues that pose additional challenges to seeking help and/or financially supporting themselves. Describe at least one additional challenge that one may face in this situation.
Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
Then you must reply to two of your peers below.
For example: Agree or disagree etc. It must be at least 4 to five knowledgeable reply.
Student 1 :
Edgar Campos
Saturday Feb 23 at 1:48pm
. 1. After leaving, I would head straight to a police station and explain the situation to law enforcement so that there is documentation of the threats that were made against myself and my family. While at the police station, I would delete my social media accounts and any other online accounts I have that may potentially lead to my partner finding my whereabouts. If I have a smartphone, I would discard it and sell it to get additional cash. I would purchase a very basic flip phone to be able to make basic phone calls and switch cell phone carriers or acquire a prepaid phone so that my partner cannot find my new phone number. While at the police station I would inquire as to what resources are available for people that are in a similar predicament. I would look to find a shelter that accepts pets and children but I would do so in a different town or city such as Bakersfield, Stockton, Hemet, and other less populated areas so that it would be more difficult for my partner to find me.
Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
Once I have escaped the immediate danger, my next course of action would be to see what immediate resources are available for me at the shelter. If there are programs or opportunities for work, I would first consult the staff that works at the shelter to see if they know of any jobs. I would have to manage my budget carefully in order to ensure that I and my children have food, water, and shelter. As much as it would pain me, I would consider giving the family dog up for adoption as that would allow me a greater budget to care for my children. If I am living at the shelter, I would do my best to save as much money as possible once I have secured a job. Once I have enough saved, I would consider looking for work in a different state that has lower costs for living and where my ex would never think to find me. Feeding and caring for my children would be my priority and our safety would be my long-term goal.
Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
To be honest, this activity did open my eyes to the difficulties that a lot of people out there face. I have been fortunate enough to never have experienced any cases of domestic violence or intimate partner violence in my personal or family life. I am guilty of having thought “why don’t they just leave the abusive relationship?” The scenario made me feel pretty hopeless just by reading it and made me realize how much risk and logistics can be involved and that it isn’t as simple as just picking up and leaving. There are many expenses and safety concerns to consider before attempting to leave an extremely abusive relationship like the one presented in the scenario.
Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
Another barrier besides being in love with the perpetrator might be that either the victim or any children might potentially have a medical issue that requires frequent medical attention. If the victim relies on the abuser for health insurance in order to treat any ailments, then it might pose another barrier to leaving because they may not be able to get the proper medical care and may potentially result in death.
Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
Another additional factor that was not present in the scenario might be that of religious beliefs. Depending on the victim’s religion, it may be against their beliefs to leave or divorce their partner. This may make it more difficult for a victim to leave if they are very devout to their religion.
student 2 : Tessa Koziol When it comes to my short term plans I would immediately make my way to the police. I would tell them the situation and show them the bruises if possible. Hoping they would take it seriously I would ask them to pick my kids up from school so my husband would not know. I would ditch my phone so my husband would not be able to track me down. This is a really tough situation and I would really hope that to some extent the police would be able to protect my family. If they are not able to do something I would ask for any advice they could give me or find me a shelter that would take in my kids and dog.
Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
- After I find a shelter willing to take us in I would look for a job. I would go about filing a restraining order against my husband. I realize I have been isolated from my family and friends but hopefully, with being away from my husband I will be able to reach out to them. Hopefully, I can find a job that works around my kids so I can work while they are in school and will not need a babysitter for them. My kids would come first and then the dog. I would keep the dog as best as I could so my children would not have to give it up. After saving up for months I would get a cheap place to stay, just to have a roof over our head. I would find a place that my husband would not be able to find us, possibly in another state.
- This activity was very hard for me. Anytime I thought I had an idea of how to get out of the relationship I could not because my “husband” had control over it. Even though I provided examples I am sure they would not work because the husband would find out. It definitely made me realize how easy it is to tell someone to leave but actually leaving is a completely different story. Without having any money leaving is really hard because you would basically put your children at risk of being homeless.
- Another barrier could be that the children do not see the abuse and love their father so they do not want to leave. The children might not want to leave but a mother that loves her kids would not want to leave without them. This would be really hard for the mother and might cause her to stay just to be with them.
Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
- I think another big challenge would be if the abuser is a part of the law enforcement, therefore, they would protect the abuser and ignore the victim. This would ruin my escape plan entirely.
Part 2: For this part, I will attach the podcast as a transcript and the link to it. YOU CAN EITHER LISTEN TO IT OR READ THE TRANSCRIPT. YOU MUST ADD THE CHAPTER TO THIS PART 2 ASSIGNMENT OR NO CREDIT. I will attach the chapter notes as well. I will add extra funds because i didn’t realize this was single space. . DO AS THE DIRECTION STATES AND GET PAID FULL. IF INCOMPLETE, I WILL NOT RELEASE THE FULL AMOUNT. ITS NOT FAIR FOR ME TO GET A LOW SCORE WHEN I AM PAYING IN FULL. PLEASE READ THE MATERIALS. THAT IS THE ONLY REASON I AM HERE BECAUSE I DONT HAVE TIME TO READ IT.
Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
Write a one-page, single-spaced (12 pt. font, 1-inch margins, no additional space for heading) summary and reflection of the reading for this week.
This reading writes up should be part summary, but primarily a reflection of the content of the readings. Include content such as:
- What did you learn from the reading?
- What is your reaction to the reading? Did this content surprise you?
- How can the knowledge gained from this reading be used in your personal and/or professional life?
- Do you see any issues presented in these readings? If so, what and why?
- Any other response or reflection of the reading applied to course content.
LINK TO PODCAST
https://www.stuffmomnevertoldyou.com/podcasts/domestic-violence-101.htm
