Violence Against Women
The act of violence against women is a crime in which the abuser seeks control and domination. The abuser can be the spouse, acquaintance, sibling, or romantic partner of the victim. Violence against women can also occur among the elderly.
When violence occurs among couples, the man is usually the abuser. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that as many as 1.5 million women and 800,000 men are abused by their partners every year. As a result of these physical attacks, nearly two million people are injured and 1,300 die every year.
Violence against women can take on many forms. Psychological abuse occurs when the abuser controls the woman through intimidation. The abuser may verbally abuse the woman, isolate her from friends and family, and threaten to harm her if she doesn't do exactly what he says. The abuser may also attempt to control the woman's every move by stalking her.
Sexual abuse is another form of violence against women. This occurs when the abuser forces unwanted sex on the woman. In some cases the abuse will start with physical violence and end with a sexual assault.
Some women are more at risk for being victimized than others. This includes women who are single, under the age of 24, or women who have been abused in the past. Other factors that can put women at risk include economic stress, alcohol or drug abuse, or a lack of social networks. A woman's partner is more likely to become abusive if her partner is extremely possessive or jealous, is verbally abusive, or abuses drugs or alcohol.
Certain dynamics within a relationship can increase the likelihood of abuse. Abuse is more likely if the man has a firm belief in gender roles, such as the conviction that a woman's place is in the home, and she should obey him. Another risk factor is if the woman has a substantially higher income or job status than her partner. If the man has a tendency to dominate the relationship, that can lead to violence.
Many women who are abused are reluctant to leave due to the fear that their partner will come after them. A woman facing abuse can get help by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-FYI-CALL.