Domestic Violence

When Linda was only 18 years old and pregnant, she was brutally struck across the face for the first time by an older, abusive boyfriend. Unfortunately for Linda, this was not the last time, and the abuse continued. Linda was forbidden to see her family and friends, because she was constantly covered in bruises. Linda was confused, and desperate. She felt as though she had nowhere to turn and no financial resources to leave. Linda continued to live in an abusive relationship until she was 36 years old. Linda lived 18 years of her life as a victim of domestic violence, and she's not alone. 1 in every 3 women in America are the victims of domestic violence. That is why I think there should be more public awareness of domestic violence more help for the abused women.

There are only about 1,500 shelters around the United States today. (Schneider) Only half of those allow you to stay as long as you need. (America) Some have a policy that you are only to stay a couple months, due to so many women coming in and they don’t have enough room for all of them. Some people are against having shelters at all, because of the economic crisis, it cost about 5.8 billion a year to run those shelters. (America) I believe if we don’t keep the shelters and even add more for the women, are world will become worse, once the man is out of jail he’s most likely to find the women again. (America)

The shelters for abused women helps the crime rate go down, it keeps them secure inside and with being around other women who had been abused, it helps them get through what they had just been through. In the reports from 2003-present the crime rate for domestic violence had went up 22% due to the lack of room in shelters and not having enough around. (People) There should be more shelter houses in each state, at least 40 miles from each other. The shelters should be able to provide everything the women needs also. Domestic violence shelters are a big help for women these days.

There should be a law were the couple have to go to consoling once a week for at least a month after the abuse. Most women after the abuse have self-blamed just like a child would after. They would also have low self-esteem and feel the need to shut themselves away from the world. (Redwing) The shelters don’t provide consoling for the women, when they should. After the abuse, women are scarred for life and in their mind they think all men are abusers, they would need the consoling to heal them inside. The money to pay their medical bills stresses them out; maybe a consoler could help them pay them off by getting them a job, well there slowly healing from being abused.

The men would definitely need consoling to make their mind right or help them through their guilt for hurting there partner, usually 1% of all men put in jail for abusing their partner think about committing suicide. (Alecia) Studies have shown that consoling after the violence for men really helps them and shapes them up to know better for the next time there about to outbreak. (Sandy) Sometimes the man needs some help on how to stop from raging, giving them an anger management class would help also. That should also be a law that they take a class to help their anger.

The domestic violence is 2% higher for teens then adults. As being a teen myself I know I’d be scared and would like consoling to help me through what had just happened. When a teenage girl goes through domestic violence, almost all feel the need to commit suicide and or to shut everyone out of there life. (America) In every school there should be a group for teens that have been abused so the other girls know there not the only ones or the only ones who witnessed their mother be abused. The restraining order is a good thing for a girl who has been abused, but it should be passed faster when the abuse happens also.