Domestic Violence In North America Essay

In North America it cannot be hidden that domestic violence is a problem both for men and women, though 95% of the victims of domestic abuse are women (Gordon, 1996). Between 21-34% of all women in North American have been victims of domestic violence in there lives (Gordon, 1996). Since the women 's movement, studies about women have greatly increased and have caused great achievement, but very few studies have looked at the abused women and the services that are offered to them. When Gordon examined the 12 abused women in her study, she found that many of the women did not bother using the formal services available to them but instead turned to family and friends (1996). Gordon also discovers that the most contacted services are the police and crisis centres, though according to the women in these studies the most contacted services are usually the least effective or helpful (1996). Bennett also identifies that the study of these programs is a recent development (2004). Bennett presents a different argument that Gordon, suggesting that the programs that were studied and the women who used them found the programs and services to be effective (2004). Bennett 's research also suggest that in order for recovery to be effective a combination of service need to be used and that a victim cannot rely on only one service (2004). Bennett also identifies a key finding in the study, many women do not seek help for a prolonged period of time which may be the reason that they return to abusive relationships (2004). After the support has ceased the chance of return to the abuser increases. Another view that Richard A Berk provides is a more pessimistic view and puts less pressure of the shelter and more on the victim in taking control of their life. Berk states that crisis centres will reduce the frequency and intensity of abuse cycles but in order for the efforts of the centre to be effective, the woman needs to be ready for change and be willing to take control of her life …show more content…
If this is the case is Jamaica, is it possible that this could be transferable to North American societies as a way to begin understanding and preventing domestic violence. Arscott- Mills looks to find a trend in the women who are likely to experiences domestic violence and finds that women who are less educated have a higher risk, with only 2% having a degree higher than high school(2001). Arscott-Mills also discovered that only 24% of women who were affected by domestic violence reported the issue, stating that they feared the repercussions, didn 't want to get their partner in trouble or reported the incident to someone else (2001). In Arscott-Mills ' study, like the other, the women would most frequently report to police of crisis centres but found them to be the least useful (2001). The final study is by Henderson and she discusses the effect of peer support of women who are victims of domestic violence. Henderson presents a unique concept not previous analyzed or discussed, a reciprocity system for survivors in helping other survivors (1995). This idea is based off of social fact that Henderson uses to support her ideas stating that humans seek growth from their interactions, calculate cost and benefit from interactions and always seek to make a profit but are limited in resources