Women and Domestic Violence

Even though domestic violence is a difficult and often avoided topic in everyday conversations, I believe this week’s discussion is incredibly important and deeply connected to our women’s studies course. Domestic violence is often thought of as a private issue, something that happens quietly behind closed doors. But the reality is that it affects millions of women (sometimes children and other family members) across the world.

According to some of the data from class, 1 in 4 women in the United States will experience severe intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime. About 1 in 3 women have also experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. And these numbers are likely underestimates due to underreporting, fear, and stigma. Domestic violence doesn’t always leave visible bruises. It can be emotional, psychological, and financial, through controlling access to money, monitoring phone usage, or isolating someone from friends and family. These forms of abuse are often harder to spot but just as damaging.

Women are disproportionately affected by domestic violence due to historical and cultural gender power dynamics. The normalization of control, jealousy, and dominance in some relationships creates an environment where abuse can thrive. Victims may stay silent out of fear, shame, or lack of resources; sometimes victims do not get their justice and see their abusers getting the punishment they deserve since many cases regarding domestic violence lack concrete evidence. Although we only discussed domestic violence statistics among women in the United States, I probably expect the stats to be worse or just as bad as they are for women globally. 

Education, support networks, and legal protections are essential to preventing domestic violence, but it is also important to be empathetic and aware of the relationships going on around us. As I prepare to go to college, I know this awareness and the pledge I made will help me show support for my friends and other survivors.