Domestic violence is, unfortunately, a growing issue around the world. What disturbs me the most is that there is little attention paid to this horrific issue, compared to many other current problems in society. There are many alarming statistics that I have discovered while researching domestic violence, but one stands out far beyond the others. According to the Domestic Violence Resource Center, 50% of the men who have assaulted their wives have also assaulted their children. This statistic is upsetting because children typically look up to their parents more than any other elder while they're growing up. Having a violent father is not an ideal living situation for a child to be raised.
Besides children and wives being victims of domestic violence, female high school teenagers are also victimized by boys of their same age. The Domestic Violence Resource Center also states that approximately one in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. 20% of high school girls being abused is way too large of a number in my opinion. I know that most girls in high school who are being abused do not even realize that there is a way to prevent it or receive help.
Throughout my research I have also discovered that domestic violence has a strong economic impact. For instance, $4.1 billion a year is spent on medical assistance to women who have been abused by an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. To me, this expense is eye-opening because of the amount of women in America who do not have health care. If a woman without health insurance is violated and has to receive medical treatment for the abuse, the bills could very well be too expensive for her to afford, causing her to not report the abuse or seek medical attention.
I feel blessed to say that I have never experienced domestic violence in any relationship or family matter before. I feel the need to learn more about this issue in hopes to help prevent further violence around the world.
Visiting our client at the women's safe shelter will be a great way for me to learn more about the domestic violence issue occurring in our society. Two questions I have prepared for our client about the shelter include: What type of counseling is offered to the women who are at the shelter seeking emergency safety? and What help can you provide women who have left the shelter and feel temporarily safe?
I am excited to meet our client and see how I can help!
