Domestic Abuse in America
As far back as recorded history takes us, we find cases of domestic abuse against women. This type of behavior was once condoned and even encouraged. Movement to change women's rights date back to 1776, as Abigail Adams advocated to increase freedom within a marriage (Women 453). Although society now realizes the social crisis that domestic abuse causes, it remains gravely undetected and underreported. Women who live with abusive partners usually are made to feel as if they cannot make a better life than the life they live with their abuser. An abuser often takes control of his victim's life and in return the victim feels helpless and often falls into the trap of denial. In the Seventeenth Century, Puritans incorporated laws based on justice and order. Within these laws married women had no rights, in return, these laws gave their spouses all control and authority. During this era, spousal abuse was accepted and sometimes encouraged, although there were some stipulations to this "legal" abuse. The weapon that a husband chose to beat his wife with could not be any larger than the circumference of his thumb (Women 452). The late 1840's mark an important period of
In 1874 the North Carolina Supreme Court made a ruling against spousal battery; however, the court went on to state that "if no permanent injury has been inflicted, nor malice, cruelty nor dangerous violence shown by the husband, it is better to draw the curtain, shut out the public gaze and leave the parties to forget and forgive" As this account exemplifies, the laws surrounding domestic violence were changing, yet it was still perceived as a socially tolerated and private matter. Between 1975 and 1981, forty-four states enacted legislation in support of the legal rights of battered women. Out of this landmark meeting was born the suffrage movement, which sought the right for women to vote. Secondly was the court decision in the Thurman vs. 47% of husbands who beat their wives do so three or more times a year" (Facts 1). "Nearly one quarter of women in the US, more than 12 million, will be abused by a current of former partner some time during their lives. (Spousal 207) There are several forms of abuse including: emotional, sexual, threats, intimidation, isolation and economic (Types 1). (455) It wasn't until 1920 that spousal abuse was declared illegal. During this time, many of the first shelters and telephone hotlines were opened for abused victims. The Women's Rural Advocacy Program reports that a woman is being abused once every nine seconds in the United States (Statistics 1). Domestic abuse is defined as,Intentional abuse by adult men or women of their intimate partners by methods that cause bruises, scratches, cuts, bleeding, injuries, pain or suffering. To most Americans, this means someone is being beaten, however, that is not the only form of abuse.
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