- There are multiple definitions of the term “domestic abuse” depending on who is defining the term. For example, the Women’s Aid Federation of England defines it as physical, sexual, psychological, or financial violence in an intimate or family-type relationship. The Scottish Executive on the other hand, makes mention of children, specifically how children must be recognized as witnesses and subjects to much of the abuse. (Laing & Humphreys, 2014, p. 4-5)
- People who are in abusive relationships frequently mistake intensity for intimacy, and the abuse has no predictable pattern. (Penfold, 2005, p. 1)
- Domestic violence was not in the public eye until the Women’s Movement of the 1970’s. (Murphy & Ouimet, 2008, p. 309)
- Many health care providers don’t do routine screenings because they are concerned it’s an invasion of the patient’s privacy and that it might anger or offend the patient. Some providers even feel helpless and hopeless to change the patient’s situation. (Murphy & Ouimet, 2008, p. 311)
- Women are most commonly the victims of domestic violence, but are certainly not the only victims of this violence. (Laing & Humphreys, 2014, p. 6)
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made the official name for domestic abuse “intimate partner violence” (IPV). Before this name it was called battering, domestic abuse, spouse abuse, and family violence. (Murphy & Ouimet, 2008, p. 309)
References:
Laing, L., & Humphreys, C. (2014). n: Key concepts in social work and domestic violence. In Social work & domestic violence: Developing critical & reflective practice (pp. 1-16). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.
Murphy, S., & Ouimet, L. (2008). Intimate Partner Violence: A Call for Social Work Action. Health & Social Work, 33(4), 309-314. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
Penfold, R. (2005). Dragonslippers: This is what an abusive relationship looks like.
New York: Black Cat/Grove Press
SW 250 at Binghamton University 