Domestic Violence in Urban Communities
Domestic violence has been a major topic of debate for decades. As health care professionals, we are faced with various ethical and legal issues, which influence the lives of others. For many individuals, domestic violence is deemed to be a sensitive issue. There is no right or wrong way to address it, yet communities are apprehensive in raising the matter. Domestic abuse, which is also known as domestic violence or intimate partner violence, is defined as the infliction of physical, sexual, or mental harm, including coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty (“World Health Organization,” 2016, p. 1). One of the main reasons for concern when it comes to domestic violence is that the vast amounts of altercations are not reported. According to the WHO, about 35 percent of women experience physical altercations perpetrated by a partner (“World Health Organization,” 2016, p. 1). This may include a husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend. Since majority of incidents are not reported, statistical numbers are not entirely accurate. This may suggest that there are large amounts of cases that are not reported. Another reason why domestic violence is an important topic for discussion includes the effect it has on other people. Domestic abuse effects all family members involved as well as friends and other social networks (Jones, 2015, p. 40). The adverse effects of domestic violence may include emotional, physical, and mental pain for all parties involved. As indicated, domestic violence can lead to long-term health related issues such as depression or PTSD. Furthermore, domestic violence is a subject that requires further awareness within all communities.
Targeted Groups
There are several targeted groups in urban communities that have been greatly affected by domestic violence. These groups include low-income minorities, which consist of individuals with Hispanic, African-American, and Asian backgrounds. According to a study conducted by the Oregon Social Learning Center, demographic risk factors play a major role in domestic violence issues. The study states that those in lower socioeconomic statuses were more prevalent to engage in physical abuse towards partners (Capaldi, Knoble, Shortt, & Kim, 2012, p. 242). This also includes the amount of education the individual has. Those with less educational background were more likely to experience or facilitate domestic abuse (Capaldi et al., 2012, p. 242). The study conducted by researchers from the Oregon Social Learning Center also states that being a member of a minority group is a risk factor for intimate partner violence, predominantly among African-Americans (Capaldi et al., 2012, p. 242). It was also found that the prevalence of domestic abuse was about two times higher among African-American and Hispanic couples compared to Euro-American couples (Capaldi et al., 2012, p. 243).
Due to the frequent occurrences of domestic violence in urban communities, with a focus on minorities, there are several factors that affect this targeted group. Domestic violence affects minorities in a health related manner. According to an article published in the Journal of Women’s Health, domestic violence victims are less likely to seek medical care than those who are not victims (Stockman, Hayashi, & Campbell, 2015, p. 76). The literature discusses the various themes that came up during the research. Another factor that contributed to prevalence of domestic violence among minorities included cultural beliefs that may not always be taken into account. Depending on the cultural beliefs of victims, domestic violence is viewed to be part of the commitment to their partner (Stockman et al., 2015, p. 62). Culture beliefs are important factors in the way people live their lives. As health care professionals, we must be culturally competent to adequately care for patients. Urban neighborhoods are only one of many areas in the United States that experience these issues. Subsequently, minorities in urban communities have various components that affect their likelihood of becoming domestic violence victims.
