Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence
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Introduction

Domestic violence is recognized globally as a critical public health problem and a human rights violation that robs victims of "full and equal participation in all spheres of life" (United Nations, 1995, p. 3). Women and children worldwide are especially vulnerable to aggression, violence, and abuse by family members, caretakers, and intimates. Domestic violence has been defined as:

Physical, sexual, or emotional/psychological violence directed toward men, women, children, or elders occurring in current or past familial or intimate relations whether the individuals are cohabiting or not and including violence directed toward dating partners. (AACN, 2001, p. 1)

Domestic violence is best understood within a cultural context (Campbell, Moracco, & Saltzman, 2000; Hoff, 2001). For example, The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, resulting from the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women stressed, "Violence against women ... derives essentially from cultural patterns, particularly the harmful effects of certain traditional practices and all acts of extremism linked to race, sex, language or religion that perpetuate women’s lower status..." (United Nations, 1995, p. 7). Campbell et al. (2000) argued that violence research demands a cultural competency that extends beyond cultural sensitivity to include an in-depth appreciation of group norms, beliefs, and life ways. Cultural competency is reflected by the acknowledgment that violence occurs in a gendered sociocultural context, an understanding of the relationship between colonial practices and violence and oppression, an awareness of cultural practices and attitudes that support, as well as deter, domestic violence, advocacy for cross-cultural research, and a commitment to oppose oppression experienced by minority groups and those marginalized by their society (e.g., women of color, migrant women, immigrant women, and lesbian women) (Campbell,Campbell, 1996; Campbell et al., 2000, Hoff, 2001).

Domestic violence is associated with varied and significant health-related consequences. In addition to immediate physical injuries stemming from an assault and acute psychological distress related to victimization, domestic violence is associated with long-term psychological, physical, social, and economic effects. Nurses and other health care providers play a key role in domestic violence identification and intervention and have been visible advocates for the prevention of domestic violence throughout the world. Many health care professionals have had personal experiences with domestic violence and are forced to confront their own concerns related to violence as they attempt to help others.

This article will provide an overview of the three major types of domestic violence: intimate partner abuse, child abuse, elder abuse. The scope, history, and health consequences of each type of violence will be described.

 

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