Domestic Violence

A current Social Problem

Domestic violence does not discriminate it happens in every racial

and ethnic community( National Association of Social Workers 2014 )

The problem has been around since early in our countrys history. In
this century it had became prevalent and wide spread among people
every. In the distance past the attitude was very different men thought
they had a right to abuse their wives because women had a minimal
amount of rights .

The negative effects

Many women are often held captive by their own sense of powerlessness . (National
Association of Social Workers 2014) The fear that if they leave their current situation
they will have to care for themselves and their children alone creates feelings of
depression and despair. ( National Association of Social Workers 2014) The signs of
this crime is isolation from others, women who are over achiever and want to please
their spouse and others. ( National Association of Social Workers 2014) Feelings of
guilt or shame.( National Association of Social Workers 2014) When partners blame
the victim for all that go wrong ( National Association of Social Workers 2014)

A High Profile Case

Just recently in the news a high profile case has been
talked about on news shows and tabloids. The case
involves a running back for the Baltimore Ravens Ray
Rice who has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. A
video was released online by TMZ .

A High Profile Case

The video showed Rice punching Janay Palmer who was

his fiance at the time, inside an elevator at a hotel in
Atlantic City New Jersey. She lunges after Rice and then
he hits her again and she falls to the floor (Martin et al.
2014).

Legislation on Domestic Violence

In 1994 Congress passed the violence against women
act. (VAWA) (Justice.gov 2014) this Act and the 1996
additions to the Act recognize that domestic violence is a
national crime and that federal laws can help local and
state criminal justice systems to relieve the burden .
(Justice.gov 2014)

VAWA-Violence Against Women

Act
This Act is a landmark of Federal legislation it has a
comprehensive approach to violence against women.
(Justice.gov 2014)

VAWA

The rates of prosecution against offenders are

increasing. (Whitehouse.gov 2010)

This Act is encouraging the community to develop law

enforcement and prosecution units and domestic
violence dockets. (Whitehouse.gov 2010)

Domestic Violence Hotline

The National Domestic Violent Hotline has been

established which has answered over 3 million calls and
receives over 22,000 calls. Every month 92% of callers
report that its their first call for help. Retrieved from
(Whitehouse.gov 2010)

The Current Policy

The current policy has been in place since 1994.

Now it is the Violence Against Women Reauthorization
Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013).

(Whitehouse.gov 2010)

State Laws now

All states have authorized warrantless arrests in
misdemeanor domestic violence cases where the
responding officer determines that probable cause exists.
(Whitehouse.gov 2010)

Statistics

Between 1993 to 2007 the rate of intimate partner

homicides of females decreased 35% and the rate of
intimate partner homicides of males decreased 46% .
(Whitehouse.gov 2010)

Statistics

Between 1993 to 2010 the rate of intimate partner

violence declined 67%. (Whitehouse.gov 2010)
VAWA has created positive change since its inception.
(Whitehouse.gov 2014)

Critique of current Policy

The current policy has improved awareness and the criminal

justice response to violence against women.

This policy helps women who are a minority . On the other hand

the policy is reactive not proactive it does not help to prevent

violence before it occurs. However, it is overall a good policy

Who Supports and Opposes the

Policy

Several organizations and groups that focus on

awareness and support for abused and battered women.
Most liberal pundits and Vice President Joe Biden
support the vawa . Some conservatives that do not
believe in social programs may lean towards opposing
the policy.

References
National Association of Social Workers( 2014) The Social Work Response to Domestic
Violence. Retrieved from
www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/events/domesticviolence/response.asp
.
. Department of Justice( 2014) Federal Domestic Violence Laws.
Retrieved from : http://www.justice.gov/usaol/gan/documents/federall
Whitehouse.gov( 2010) Fact sheet The Violence Against Women Act
Retrieved from: www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/vawa_-fact sheet.pdf
Almasy, S., Martin,J. (2014, Sept 16). Ray Rice terminated by team,suspended by NFL
after new violent video. Retrieved from CNN U. S. http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/08/us
ray-rice--new-video/