Domestic violence is a matter of significant concern nowadays. There is much research on what can be identified as domestic violence, how it can affect the victims, how to prevent and resist it, and more. The purpose of this paper is to analyze one specific article about domestic violence written by Stephanie Watson. The article is published on Gale Health and Wellness Online Collection and presents an overview of the topic of domestic violence. The overview includes general information on domestic violence, its victims, warning signs, risks, and recommended actions and prevention strategies.
First, the author of the article provides some background information on domestic violence. The phenomenon is defined as “a type of repetitive abusive behavior in which a person uses fear, intimidation, or physical harm to exert control over his or her partner in a relationship” (Watson, 2020, para. 1). The author states that domestic violence can take the forms of physical abuse, sexual assault, emotional abuse, controlling behavior, or verbal abuse (Watson, 2020). Domestic violence mainly involves people who have close relationships, so its victim or perpetrator can be any member of a family, including children, parents, and caregivers (Watson, 2020). Moreover, Watson (2020) emphasizes that domestic violence affection is independent of age, sex, sexual orientation, race or nationality, and religion. Therefore, the victims of domestic violence and the abusers may be male or female and present different social groups. As Watson (2020) states, nothing, including wealth and education, can “make someone immune to becoming violent, or to being the victim of domestic violence” (para. 3). In other words, people can be vulnerable to domestic violence regardless of their age, social status, and the stage of their relationship with their partner.
Next, the author of the article discusses the warning signs and risks of domestic violence. Watson (2020) emphasizes that the signs that can predict domestic violence are not always clear for partners, especially if the relationship is at an early stage. The article reveals that the warning signs of domestic violence include extremely jealous or insulting behavior, attempts to gain complete control over the relationship, various threats, pressure, and manifestations of aggression (Watson, 2020). The signs of domestic violence that can be spotted in the victim include physical signs of abuse such as cuts or bruises and unusually quiet behavior in the partner’s presence (Watson, 2020). In addition, Watson (2020) discusses the physical and emotional consequences of domestic violence, including various mental traumas, such as feeling alone, anxiety, or depression. The author states explicitly that domestic violence can lead to alcohol or drug addiction, physical injuries, or even the death of the abused partner (Watson, 2020). Domestic violence is presented as an extremely troubling and dangerous issue that can negatively impact people’s lives.
Finally, the article provides valuable information on the actions that should be taken if someone has become a victim of domestic violence. The author suggests that the first victim’s step should be reaching out to a trusted person, such as a family member, telling a doctor, and calling the police (Watson, 2020). Watson (2020) believes that sharing the problem with someone is the most efficient way to get immediate assistance and positively influence the victim’s life. The author also mentions several violence prevention strategies, including general education, social-emotional skills, and various safety programs (Watson, 2020). Following the recommendations from this article, people can reduce the risks of becoming a victim of domestic violence.
References
Watson, S. (2020). Domestic violence. In Gale Health and Wellness Online Collection. Gale. Web.
