Every minute, an average of 20 people experience abuse by their partners. In total, there are over 10 million victims of abuse each year. This does not include unreported cases of violence. This means that abuse is an epidemic that slowly creeps through the deposits of society, yet this issue is not given much attention by the responsible individuals and institutions.

Sadly, what haunts homes in America today has been causing more adverse effects to the members of the household than what meets the public eye. Those who have experienced domestic violence have suffered trauma and depression more than the physical injuries that need to be urgently addressed. Society should be aware of this troubling situation, and everyone should be well-guided to be able to fight against domestic violence.

The first step in the process to combat abuse is to know the causes of domestic violence so that we might know what we are fighting against. Domestic violence can be physical, emotional, or psychological abuse that negatively affects the well-being of a person. It can be experienced by anyone, regardless of age and gender, though it affects the women more than their male counterparts. How is this so?

Since time immemorial, women are more subject to men’s authority. As the breadwinner, decision-maker, and protector of his family, men were put to pedestals and women were regarded as objects of pleasure and of the home. This has been so, if not for most of the men who resort to domestic violence when they treat their wives as possessions rather than wives. Unfortunately, this kind of treatment exists today and has been causing nightmares to many American women.

Misogyny is defined as, “the hatred of or hostility toward women. Misogyny is a woman’s greatest fear.” There are many factors why men do this to women. They may have issues with their peers, especially in their relationships with their mothers. They can also have narrow definitions of what men and women can do, with the men having superior qualities over women.

Men also experience a lot of rejections from women they have dated before. This leads them to think badly of their opposite sex. Thus, they get hurt and hurt people hurt people. This is the sad truth of men and misogyny and millions of women experience it every day.

Contrary to what many people say on how women react to the abuse made by their partners, women are actually doing something to get out of this pitiful situation. More and more women are disclosing domestic violence, but they don’t get much useful help when they need it. Moreover, police don’t usually arrest offenders, and when they do, these offenders hardly ever spend their time in jail.

Why don’t women just leave their partners? Unfortunately, the reality is far more complex if they try to leave. They may be exposed to more dangerous situations that include separation violence, stalking, and higher risk on homicide in addition to custody battles that pose increased threat to the well-being of the mother and her children.

Domestic violence is a complicated and serious matter that needs to be recognized as a threat to the security of every American home. Women who are violated of their human rights can always seek help to the right people, be it professional counseling domestic violence victims or friends and family members whom they trust. The government is also playing the important role of drafting, passing, and strictly implementing the laws that punishes the abusers. This is not just the fight of the victim alone but of the nation.

Awareness is not enough. Once you’ve read this, I encourage you to take action. Unless someone gives a helping hand to catch the victims who are knocked down by domestic violence, there can never be peace in our country.

Find more insightful thoughts about domestic violence from my book, Perfect Clarity: A Novel About Our Male-Dominated Misogynist Society and Four Women Who Fought Back (1874 to the Present). Visit my website at www.ruthrymer.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

References

Hamby, Sherry. 2014. “Domestic Violence: Learning to See Past the Stereotypes.” Psychology Today, May 19. Accessed on February 22, 2018. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-web-violence/201405/domestic-violence-learning-see-past-the-stereotypes.

Dries, Kate. 2013. “The 4 Reasons Misogynists Become Misogynists, According to Misogynists.” Jezebel, December 3. Accessed on February 22, 2018. https://jezebel.com/the-4-reasons-misogynists-become-misogynists-according-1475672690.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. n.d. “National Statistics.” Accessed on February 22, 2018. https://ncadv.org/statistics.

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