Kaylin Gibson

March 13, 2015

The Discipline of Criminology:
Abusive Relationships and Criminal Laws

It is time to take notice on one of the largest problems in the United States,
domestic violence. It is a problem that is known by many, but not taken very seriously.
Domestic violence has broken up families, and dispirited its victims for many years.
While researching this topic, I have found how domestic violence victims are protected,
and how they are not. Domestic violence is an epidemic that needs to be taken seriously,
and solved.
First, let us take time to understand what domestic violence really is. According to
a website on domestic violence, domestic violence is defined as being behaviors used by
one person in a relationship to control the other (Defining Domestic Violence).
Examples of domestic violence include physical assault, and stalking. It can also be
emotional abuse. Violence takes many forms and can happen all the time of once in a
while. Anyone can be a victim! (Who are the Victims). Domestic violence is
something that needs to start being taken very seriously in this country.
The question I am most concerned with is that of how criminal law protects
domestic violence victims from further abuse. What laws are in place to protect these
victims, and how does the justice system go about protecting these victims? Lets first
take a look at who the victims are, who the abusers are, and what happens within the
violence wheel and the cycle of violence.
Usually, in most cases, women are the victims, and men are the abusers. In other
cases, people of color, people with different sexual orientations, mentally challenged

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Kaylin Gibson

March 13, 2015

people, and people of different religions can also be the victims of domestic violence.
The abusers, however, are not as easy to pick out in certain circumstances. Abusers may
appear friendly and loving to the public eye, but behind closed doors, they are completely
different people. Abusers have learned abuse, so they can get what they want when they
want it (Who are the Abusers).
Violence can be divided into parts, physical and sexual, but both are centered on
power and control. Abusers tend to use coercion and threats, intimidation, emotional
abuse, isolation, children, male privilege, and economic abuse (Violence Wheel) to
get what they want. Abuse happens due to a cycle in which is never ending. It all starts
with the incident, which then leads to tension building. Tension building consists of the
abuser getting angry, there is a breakdown of communication, the victim will feel like
he/she needs to keep the abuser calm, which in turn makes the abuse begin (Cycle of
Violence). After tension has built, the making up process begins, and then there is the
calm right before another storm. It is a never-ending cycle. But what do the victims do
about the abuse they receive?
According to law enforcement, not all incidents of domestic violence are reported
to them. Only 27 percent of women and 13.5 percent of men who were physically
abused or assaulted by an intimate partner reported their assault to law enforcement
(Practical Implications of Current Domestic Violence Research). It is scary
to think that these men and women are so unwilling to report their assaults to law
enforcement. It is said that victims do not usually report their initial assaults until they
suffer an excessive amount.

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Kaylin Gibson

March 13, 2015

Research indicates that actions of law enforcement, such as follow-up home

visits after incidents, can encourage victim reports of domestic violence (Practical
Implications for Domestic Violence Research). On the other hand, if victims do not
receive follow-up visits, they are less likely to call law enforcement to report the assaults.
Some people wonder if arrests are the best way for law enforcement to handle the
situations.
Arrests prevent reabuse from happening, believe it or not. Even when an abuser is
not arrested, law enforcement coming into handle the situation always leads to a deterrent
effect towards the abuser. Misdemeanor and felony also play a role in the thought of an
arrest taking place. Along with the abuser getting arrested, the victim is also helped
tremendously. Pamphlets are given to the victims, along with secure protective orders.
Protective orders are the main way that victims stay safe. Protective orders, or
PPOs, are greatly known for deterring repeat abuser on the victims from the abuser.
Protective orders state that the abuser has to stay a certain distance away from the victim,
as well as, what will happen if they violate the terms listed by a judge on the protective
order. Violation of a protective order can lead to arrests and jail time, longer probation, or
even prison time.
I have a situation where all of these things I have mentioned took place. My
mother is a huge victim of domestic violence. She has been in more than violent
relationships than anyone should have to go through. She has reported violence to the
police, and they have protected her as much as they could. She has many protective
orders against men, and will always have the orders against them until the day that she

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Kaylin Gibson

March 13, 2015

dies. Law enforcement agencies and judges have helped my mom in more ways than
possible. They have kept her safe since her last attack in 2012.
Tina is another victim of abuse. She suffered abuse from her husband, and knew
that if she had to die to be free, that was something she was willing to sacrifice. The last
time he abused her, she tried to fight back, and when this happened, he called the police
on her and reported that she was the one abusing him, and something needed to be done
about. In Tinas defense, luckily, the police did not believe him when they arrived and
saw the bruises and cuts on Tina. The police helped her get away from her husband by
helping her file a restraining order, and by taking her to her parents house where she lived
three years after she left him(Tinas Story).
With this being said, do you believe victims of domestic violence are protected
well enough? I believe that the criminal justice systems does all they can to protect these
victims, but it is also up to the victim to help themselves. Not all victims want help, and
do not necessarily like the abuse, but will not get help because they enjoy the attention
and are terrified of being alone.

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