Why do victims of domestic violence stay? Is there a relationship between patriarchy and domestic violence? Let’s explore the introduction to the topic at link party 319

“Why doesn’t she leave?” “Why does he do that?” This is an introduction to the public health problem of patriarchy and Domestic Violence that affects 10 million people in the United States every year.

Gender-based Violence (GBV) or violence against women and girls (VAWG), is a global pandemic. The events of family and domestic health violence unfolding around the world have led us here.

Do you agree?

Something within society is perpetuating or unconsciously condoning domestic abuse!

Jennifer Shore, MA (Executive Director, Focus for Health)

Why are we comfortable with the patriarchy and domestic violence flaws and misconceptions that play a significant role in domestic abuse from partners to children and the elderly? Imagine we are ok with the “cycle of abuse” that often continues from tots exposed all the way into their adult relationships and the elderly.

The issues of domestic violence show the prevalence of patriarchy in society. What a frightening scourge and nightmare that we turn a blind eye to!

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Patriarchy and domestic violence against women

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Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. World Bank
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The elephant in this patriarchy and domestic violence synopsis is this: ‘is patriarchy to blame for the unending cycle of intimate partner abuse (IPV), generation after generation?‘

The international community has long acknowledged the severity of the IPV problem;

1. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action called for advancement of women empowerment, gender equality and the elimination of violence against women (1995)
2. The United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, inclusive of a global target to eliminate “all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres.” (a decade later)
3. The 69th World Health Assembly adopted WHA69.5 that called for a global action plan with a multi-sector response to strengthen the role of the health system and address interpersonal violence, particularly against women and young girls. (2016)

You would expect with all these mandates that the whole world caught up. Surprisingly, 49 countries have yet to adopt a formal domestic violence policy.

Why is domestic violence important in society?

Why has the vice costed governments so much money in modern society, yet victim-blaming norms place the blame for domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault squarely on the victim while absolving the perpetrator from guilt or fault?

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Gender based domestic violence affects1 in 3 women in their lifetime. – UNFPA
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Most cases of domestic violence don’t get reported to health professionals or legal authorities and are difficult to identity. This could answer the most perturbing question:’Why is domestic violence common?’ Silence makes polarizing patriarchy and domestic violence persist. However, Government sources pay an estimated lifetime cost of intimate partner violence of $3.6 trillion, a 37% of the lifetime economic burden (PubMed).

What is the concept of domestic violence

What is the definition of domestic violence? You need no one to tell you that domestic violence is a form of social behavior enacted in order to maintain control. The United States Department of Justice defines domestic violence is “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain control over another intimate partner.”

Of course, you know that domestic violence is.

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Domestic violence is “physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression (including coercive acts) by a current or former intimate partner.” — Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…
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What is the legal definition of domestic violence? Despite all the documented definitions, any behaviors of maltreatment that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone fall into the category of domestic abuse.

Further reading: 11 Shocking Facts and Figures Affecting Women Around the World Despite Intelligent Smart Top Women Leaders Creating Global Ripples Updated [Part 2]

What does domestic mean in domestic violence?

In law, domestic violence is an offense involving imprisonment or serious damage. But, what does domestic mean in domestic violence? Domestic means that the victim is a household or family member, as well. These include spouses, ex-spouses, siblings, cousins, or any blood-related family members.

Therefore, domestic violence is when one family member physically, sexually, or emotionally abuses another.

The extent of patriarchy and domestic violence on public health

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“Domestic violence is a public health crisis” Ruth M. Glenn (President, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and a domestic abuse survivor) #publichealth #thextraordinarionly #healthforall #domesticabuse #SDGs
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Patriarchy was the law of the land in the 1500s. Wife-beating was permitted for “correctional purposes.”

In the matter of health, domestic violence results in serious psychological and physical health consequences. GBV is associated with higher mortality and morbidity for co-occurring diseases (PMC).

Gender roles in patriarchy and domestic abuse

Gender issues on patriarchy and domestic abuse reveal that where patriarchy rules in a society and the roles and responsibilities get assigned on the basis of gender, women have no social and financial freedom. It is such a wonder that women get cautioned and subordinated by patriarchy, giving men the social power and legitimacy to make the rules and to police them.

How far-reaching is the potent power of patriarchy and domestic violence? The hand of patriarchy controls female sexuality, fertility, justice, and power (in government or leadership). Men make up the majority of lawmakers, judges, police chiefs, police commissioners, legislators, and senators.

Patriarchal theory of domestic violence

Patriarchy was at the helm of Gender Based Violence (GBV) during Covid-19. Men use domestic violence as a means of control and a way to maintain traditional masculinity (Peralta & Tuttle, 2013)

Is a woman’s power a threat to patriarchal control?

Women make up 51% of the population and yet, are disproportionately oppressed, abused, killed, trafficked, mutilated and raped by men in every country of the world. Patriarchal violence explains how a powerful individual holds control over others through different forms of violence.

Hey, imagine women have more potential and power than men in several important areas of human life. Start with Emotional Intelligence! Why does the patriarchy seek to oppress and control women rather to believe that they are weak? Because they recognize that women are strong. What if women understood and utilized their power? The society got designed to keep women and girls from ever realizing their innate skills, knowledge, or power.

Patriarchal society and domestic violence

Is sexism is the real underbelly of human suffering? Domestic Violence is the bitter truth of our patriarchal society. It’s an irony that violence or the subliminal threat of violence is what sustains patriarchy.

Patriarchy;

• Feeds an abuser’s sense of entitlement to engage in domestic violence.
• Perpetuates that girls and women are of less value
• Widely accepts GBV
• Subordinates women in order to maintain its own power

Christianity and domestic violence

Distorted religious views contribute to sweeping the patriarchy and domestic violence impact under the rug!

Want proof?

“The scope and consequences of domestic violence are often misunderstood and rarely addressed in the evangelical church, resulting in abuse victims and perpetrators not receiving essential ministry.” —Steven Tracy

From a survey of 600 women, 85% surveyed indicated that they were Christians; 57% attend church; 35% indicated they had experienced physical abuse in a past relationship; and yet only 7% felt they could confide in a church leader if they felt unsafe due to their partner’s abuse.

Source: Domestic Violence Survey, Wirthlin Worldwide, 2000

Before you blame it on churches, here’s another fact from the Justice Department analysis of crime.

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More than 40% of adult female hospital emergency room visits get caused by violence at the hand of a male intimate partner, whereas violence by intimates caused less than 5% of male emergency room visits. #linkparty319 #SDGs…
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Are patriarchy and domestic violence related?

Hamberger et al. concluded that domestic violence can be a consequence of patriarchy, which grants men authority to dominate and control women (Dobash and Dobash, 2017).

Seek help. Your employer may provide confidential resources that could help you escape an abusive situation, like the employee assistance program (EAP).

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References

• “Domestic Violence Survey,” Wirthlin Worldwide, 2000. Survey and executive summary provided by Ms. Peggy Bilsten, City of Phoenix Councilwoman.
• Sardinha L, Nájera Catalán H. Attitudes towards domestic violence in 49 low- and middle-income countries: A gendered analysis of prevalence and country-level correlates. Plos One. 2018;13:e0206101.
• Lee H. Bowker, “Religious Victims and Their Religious Leaders: Services Delivered to One Thousand Battered Women by the Clergy,” in Abuse and Religion: When Praying Isn’t Enough (ed. Anne L. Horton and Judith A. Williamson; Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1988) 229–34.
• Murray A. Strauss discussion of the problem of female violence against men: “Women’s Violence toward Men Is a Serious Problem,” in Current Controversies on Family Violence (ed. Donileen R. Loseke, Richard J. Gelles, and Mary M. Cavanaugh; Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2005) 55–77.
• Review of the specific research on female initiated violence, M. S. Kimmel, “Gender Symmetry’ in Domestic Violence: A Substantive and Methodological Research Review,” Violence Against Women 8 (2002) 1332–63
• Donileen R. Loseke and Demie Kurz, “Men’s Violence toward Women is the Serious Social Problem,” in Current Controversies on Family Violence, 79–95.

Sources

• World Bank. Gender-based Violence (Violence against women and girls) 2019 –
• UNFPA. United Nations Population Fund. Gender-based Violence. 2020
• Connor J, Madhavan S, Mokashi M, et al. Health risks and outcomes that disproportionately affect women during the Covid-19 pandemic: A review. Soc Sci Med. 2020;266:113364. PMC

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