How Can We Prevent Domestic Violence?

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  One Googles the question: "What is the most effective way to prevent domestic violence?"

Google sources it's AI mechanism, and it responds:  "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines a four-step public health approach to preventing violence : 

1. Define the problem through systematic data collection to identify who is affected, where it happens, and the scope of the violence.
2. Identify causes and risk factors to understand why violence occurs and what traits increase or decrease the likelihood of someone becoming a victim or perpetrator. 
3. Design and test interventions by creating and evaluating targeted programs based on collected data and research. 
4. Implement and scale up effective interventions by integrating proven programs into communities on a broader level. "  (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)).

 

Questions to Answer:  

Who is affected by Domestic Violence? 

Group Responses Include: 

"Everybody...like your paretns, you kids, your signifiant other, your job, you comminity.  School, your pets, even your infant... or your toddler.... (Yelling hurts thier ears, given them trauma, then they think it's normal..  Post trauma stress mode. 

Your self... "

 

Where does Domestic Violence tend to happen?

Group Responses Include: 

"Home, in the bars, trap house, in the car, kitchen, store, outside the house -- front yard, Walmart, on the street, car dealership, other public places, the park, at work, liqiuor store, ... .hotels, everywhere."

 

What is the scope of the violence involved in Domestic Violence?

Group Responses Include: 

"Slapping, punching, slamming down to the grown, kicking, stomping, kicking in the face, pulling hair, choking, spitting, raping, lraping in front o fyour kid, holding guns to your head, breaking your phone, bear-mace, destroying property, special property, burning your kids' pickture, blosing your car up, dumping your favorite things around in the corner.  Using a belt to strangle your, breaking doors, funiture, wall, choking, strangulation, threatenin to kill your kid, you family, babydaddy everybody...  Threaten to stab you, hold a knife to your throat, pinching hard, scratching.... blaming.  Blaming you for "needing" to be punished, Drivinng like they are going to crash teh car.  Or sabotaging your car, making you lose a job, Isolating you, Acusing you are cheating.  Kicking you in the chest or stomach, really rough sex. -- Non-consentual ... Emotional Abuse."

What are the causes of Domestic Violence?

Group Responses Include: 

"Drinking, Drugs, Fighting, Insecurity, Jealousy, Morbid Jealousy, Poverty, Untreated Mental Illness, Physical Illness with Pain, Emotional Abuse, Bunt-out-Love, Lack of trust, Being raised in a violent home, A lack of solutions, Poor communication skills -- very poor listening skills, Poor Anger Management Skills, Lack of Attention (Feeling one is being cheated on or not wanted because there is no attention.  A lack of attention can also be abusive.  Mismatch, Lack of Empathy, Being OVER Emotional, Being Overly Sensitive or Not Sensitive Enough, Impatience, Backtalk."

What are the Risk Factors for Domestic Violence?

Group Responses Include: 

"Substance abuse, Abusive childhood, Poor Commuincation, Poor Prbblem Solving, Toxic fmaily members, Toxic Childhood.. Unprocess  Grief, Poor Anger Management SKills, Inability to be alone, Financial irresponsibility, Sexism, Lazyness, Impatience, Explosive Temper, Destructive Habits, Manipulativeness, Bad Influence, Immoral Thinking and Behavior,"

 

If we want to prevent Domestic Violence, which traits need to be Increased?

Group Responses Include: 

"Patience, Anger Managment, Sharing, Giving Space to other, Taking Time outs, Being responsible, Listening Skills, Being able to walk away nicely, Communication Skills, Manners, Being Helpful, Patience, Being more trusting, Giving freedom and space to the other, More sharing, More trust."

 

If we want to prevent Domestic Violence, which traits need to be Decreased?

Group Responses Include: 

"Lessing drinking, Fewer drugs, No Yelling, No Attitude, Less out of control behaivor or irratic behaivor, Less Selfishness, less distrust."

 

Which Traits increase or decrease the likelihood of someone becoming a victim of Domestic Violence?

Group Responses Include: 

"Increase ability to be understanding (unless they are abusive).

Increase Empathy

."Increase healthy supports.  Increase self-respect, 

Increase patience when it comes to getting into relationships. 

Decrease provocations. 

Which Traits increase or decrease the likelihood of someone becoming a perpetrator of Domestic Violence?

Group Responses Include: 

"."

 

Which Interventions are most Effective for Prevention of Domestic Violence?

Group Responses Include: 

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When asked: What is the first step towards preventing domestic violence?  The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice responds:  

"Awareness is the first step towards preventing and reducing family violence. The next is to get help to the families who need it."

On their "Children's Blog, the Nationwide Children's Hospital says: "Recognize, Respond and Refer"

"We all likely know or will know someone who is directly impacted by abuse. We all play a role in breaking the cycle of family violence and abuse. This begins by following the three Rs – Recognize, Respond and Refer.Sep 14, 2023"

From The Mayo Clinic Staff -- "Domestic violence against women: Recognize patterns, seek help" -- "Domestic violence is a serious threat for many women. Know the signs of an abusive relationship and how to leave a dangerous situation."

"Know the signs of domestic violence

  You might be experiencing domestic violence if your partner:

Calls you names, insults you or puts you down.

Often acts jealous or possessive.

Tries to control how you spend money or your access to money.

Tracks where you go, what you do online or who you talk to on the phone.

Prevents you from going to work or school.

Stops you from seeing family members or friends.

Threatens to keep you from seeing your children.

Gets angry or abusive when drinking alcohol or using drugs.

Tries to control whether you can see a healthcare professional.

Threatens you, your children or your pets with violence or a weapon.

Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your pets.

Forces you to have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will.

Controls your birth control or demands that you get pregnant.

Blames you for problems in the relationship or violent behavior, or tells you that you deserve it.

If you're gay, bisexual, transgender or gender diverse, you also may be experiencing domestic violence if your partner:

Threatens to tell friends, family, colleagues or community members about your sexual orientation or gender identity without your consent.

Tells you that leaving the relationship means you're admitting that gay, bisexual or transgender relationships are wrong.

Justifies abuse by telling you that your gender identity or sexual orientation isn't "real."

Tells you that law enforcement won't help a gay, bisexual, transgender or gender-diverse person." 

"Understand the cycle

  An abusive pattern may include the following:

• An abuser threatens violence.
• An abuser harms a partner. The harm may be emotional, sexual or physical.
• An abuser apologizes and promises to change. Gifts or favors may be part of the apology.
• Tension builds in the relationship, and the cycle repeats itself. 

• Over time, the violence may get worse and happen more often.

Although this is a common way for domestic violence to happen, your situation may be different."   (MAYO Clinic).

Click Here for: A Talking Points Handout, from PreventionIPV.org