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159 Domestic Violence Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on domestic violence, ✍️ domestic violence essay topics for college, 👍 good domestic violence research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot domestic violence ideas to write about, 🎓 most interesting domestic violence research titles, ❓ domestic violence research questions.

• Domestic Violence and Its Environmental Influences
• Domestic Violence, Consequences and Solutions
• Legislation to Stop Domestic Violence Against Women
• Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and Youth
• Domestic Violence Against Women in India
• Domestic Violence: Justification Is Unacceptable
• Feminism and Domestic Violence
• Domestic Violence: Causes and Effects Domestic violence disrupts regular patterns of communication and provides children with behavior models that ruin relationships and suggest the role of an abuser or a victim.
• Domestic Violence in “Othello” by W. Shakespeare The Othello tragedy reflects the current domestic violence incidences in society, hence the need to formulate authentic ways to overcome them.
• Domestic Violence in the Modern Society Domestic violence is an acute and prevalent problem in society which requires research and effective solutions. The incidence of domestic violence is increasing exponentially.
• Domestic Violence: The American Psychological Association The American Psychological Association (APA) style is a set of rules that describe different components of scientific writing.
• Domestic Violence Forms: Cases Analysis In the cases described in the current research paper, an elderly woman and a six-year-old girl endured several forms of domestic violence.
• The Impact of Domestic Violence on Victims’ Quality of Life Domestic violence (DV) is currently one of the major public health concerns that need to be discussed and analyzed.
• Domestic Violence against Women: Problem Solutions Domestic violence against women is one of the most common social problems that many societies across the world face in modern society.
• Domestic Violence Issue in Modern Society Neutralization theory presents freedom in a relationship, condemns deviant behaviors and aims to eliminate oppressive cultures and safeguard ethical human activities.
• Impact of Domestic Violence on Society Domestic violence takes place mainly among married couples, ex-couples, who those who are still dating or cohabiting.
• Causes and Consequences of Domestic Violence This literature review aims to discuss the scope of the problem, mention previous findings from academic literature, and assess the available information on the issue of violence.
• Environmental Influences of Domestic Violence and Potential Interventions This paper propose a study on what are the potentials drivers for the increasing rates of domestic violence, and how can different social and healthcare institutions intervene.
• Domestic Violence in Nursing Despite legal repercussions and the established support systems, a large share of victims avoids reporting incidents of domestic violence.
• Domestic Violence and Feminism in Bell Hooks’ Theory The main purpose of this paper is to summarize and assess the ideas of hooks’ theory regarding domestic violence.
• Projects or Stop Violence Programs: Domestic Violence The violence mainly happens between the families, dating, cohabitation, marriages, as well as intimate relationship.
• Reducing Domestic Violence: Family Law The current paper states that domestic violence and abuse present a substantial public health problem for different societies worldwide.
• Domestic Violence: Prevalence, Types, and Risk Factors Domestic violence may be experienced by a variety of people regardless of age, sex, gender or any of the other numerous factors that might play a role in its manifestation.
• Domestic Violence: Case Study Description Proponents of this model argue that some men will apply diverse tactics to manipulate and control women, such as domestic abuse and violence.
• Domestic Violence: Analysis and Evaluation of Articles This paper evaluates peer-reviewed articles that touch on the subject of domestic violence, and addresses ethical issues related to the use of secondary data.
• Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Domestic Violence It is important to note that domestic violence can be discussed as aggressive acts of the physical, psychological, or sexual nature against any family member.
• Violence Against Women: Annotated Bibliography Women who earn more than their spouses have a lower chance of experiencing violence and abuse in their marriages.
• Domestic Violence and COVID-19 Connection This paper aims to recognize the connection between domestic violence and COVID-19 and unmask the possible cause of the rapid growth of violence issues in marriages.
• Protective Orders and Domestic Violence Review The article provides a vivid introduction with discussion in the current status of the legal status of prevention of family violence.
• The Connection Between Domestic Violence and Cultural Norms The topic of domestic violence was a natural choice for me, as I have witnessed the results of domestic violence in my work and have done a lot of research on the topic already.
• The Problem of Domestic Violence in Modern Society The unwillingness to report instances of domestic abuse leads to a steep rise in the intensity of violence and the negative experiences that victims suffer.
• Domestic Violence Issues and Interventions The fact that domestic abuse victims often do not report their cases to the authorities leads to a difference between the actual number of incidents and the official statistics.
• Domestic Violence in Same-Sex Relationships The article “A Same-Sex Domestic Violence Epidemic Is Silent” by Shwayder addresses the issue of domestic abuse as one of the key concerns of contemporary societal concerns.
• Effects Of Domestic Violence on Children According to this paper, a child is anyone below the age of eighteen, and it aims at discussing the effects of domestic violence on these children.
• Defining Domestic Violence Reasons – Family Law The social phenomenon of domestic violence has given rise to scholarly debates concerning its main causes and consequently the methods for handling the issue.
• Domestic Violence in the Military Domestic violence is a pervasive problem connected with PTSD, subsequent substance abuse, and occupational hazards that increase stress and result in marital conflict.
• Societal and Gender Construction Affecting Incidents of Domestic Violence The paper intends to explore how societal and gender construction can affect the incidences of domestic violence.
• Domestic Violence Typology and Characteristics The typology of domestic violence is based on the nature of the abusive act and provides clues to the underlying reasons for it.
• Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Maternity Domestic abuse directly impacts maternity as women experiencing a hostile environment feel that the conditions are dangerous to personal health and the well-being of a child.
• Domestic Violence with Disabilities Domestic violence is a kind of act that happens when a member of the family or ex partner tries to harm the other by dominating them physically or psychologically.
• Female Victimization and Domestic Violence The paper explores the subject of domestic violence, the long-term effects domestic violence has on victims, and how criminal justice addresses the issue.
• Domestic Violence During COVID-19 Pandemic The paper reviews the articles: “Home is not always a haven: The domestic violence crisis amid the COVID-19 pandemic”, “Interpersonal violence during COVID-19 quarantine.”
• The Importance of Domestic Violence Law Domestic violence is a big problem of many families, especially taking into consideration that many victims do not report it as they are not aware of domestic violence laws.
• Alcohol and Its Effects on Domestic Violence Alcohol was invented as a beverage drink just like the others, such as soda and juice. Of late, alcohol has been abused because people are consuming it excessively.
• Community Action vs. Domestic Violence Against Australian Women Strengthening community action in the area of domestic violence against Australian women is one of the greatest decisions which are provided now in Australian society.
• Domestic Violence. “No Visible Bruises” by Snyder A review of the book “No Visible Bruises” by Snyder provides an opportunity to assess the diverse nature of the manifestations of domestic violence in families.
• Effect of Domestic Violence on Children Domestic violence is a serious issue that can have severe consequences for the development of children that grow up in such environments.
• Domestic Violence as a Research Topic The family abuse that took place in the community, often affected women, elder members of the family, and children.
• The Root Cause of Domestic Violence Domestic violence had great implications on the physical and mental health of the victim. There are many attempts that have been put in place to deal with domestic violence.
• Domestic Violence Effects – Psychology This paper seeks to examine the principles of critical thought in relation to domestic violence. It considers the importance of ethics and moral reasoning.
• Problems of the Domestic Violence Domestic violence is gaining notoriety each passing day. More and more women are falling victims to this social ill at an alarming rate.
• Child Abuse, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence The paper analyzes three types of victimization: child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. It gives definitions, describes causes and effects of these crimes.
• Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Children Domestic violence is a complex phenomenon, which has emotional, behavioral, social, cognitive, and physical consequences for children.
• Domestic Violence and Workplace Environment Domestic violence worsens employees’ performance. The entire workplace environment suffers if a single employee is subject to domestic violence.
• Domestic Violence and Its Main Categories When it comes to domestic violence, there are many categories. These include economic abuse, male privilege use, verbal abuse, isolation, emotional abuse, and intimidation.
• Domestic Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence Domestic abuse and intimate partner violence presents a significant public health problem, and individuals from different backgrounds can be exposed to it.
• Domestic Violence in Melbourne: Impact of Unemployment Due to Pandemic Restrictions The purpose of this paper is to analyze to what extent does unemployment due to pandemic restrictions impact domestic violence against women in Melbourne.
• Domestic Violence and Cyber Abuse This paper discusses the issue of domestic violence and elder abuse, including the types of abuse and the vulnerability of elders with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
• The Domestic Violence Effects on Witnessing Children This paper analyzes the effects that domestic violence has on children that bear witness to it. It causes a child to develop severe physical and/or mental problems.
• Domestic Violence Intervention Programs Identification of the weaknesses portrayed by domestic violence programs promotes the provision of adequate strategies to mitigate the problem.
• Working With Victims of Domestic Violence Domestic violence is nowadays a talk of the day; new cases emerge daily. Families have issues that most can amicably resolve while others cannot and can advance to violence.
• Domestic Violence: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence Domestic violence, meaning a violent act committed against a person in a domestic relationship such as a spouse, a relative, or a dating or sexual partner.
• Domestic Violence Against South Asian Women This research essay aims to analyze the concept of domestic violence against South Asian women, its premises, and its impact on modern women’s lives.
• Domestic Violence: “Crime in Alabama” by Hudnall et al. The consequences of domestic violence can be associated with deterioration in the population’s quality of life, psychological problems, or even the victim’s death.
• The #Metoo Movement Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse In opposition to the injustice toward women, the #MeToo movement emerged to fight sexism and harassment, including the struggle for the detention of gender-based violence.
• The Problem of Domestic Violence As a global public health and human rights concern, domestic violence affects the lives of millions of individuals throughout the entire world.
• An Inside View of Police Officers’ Experience with Domestic Violence “An Inside View of Police Officers’ Experience with Domestic Violence” is an article authored by Horwitz et al., published in 2011.
• Domestic Violence in the US During the COVID-19 The more physically or psychologically vulnerable groups of the population are often subjected to various forms of violence by the more resistant groups.
• Domestic Violence in the African American Community Black women have suffered domestic violence mostly because of gender, race, and poverty, the poor economic conditions have fueled domestic violence in families and fighting.
• Domestic Violence and Survivors Support Domestic violence is a type of violence or any other form of abuse in a domestic setting, victims of which can be both adults and children.
• Racialized Rhetoric: Domestic Violence and Muslim Community The work analyzes the rhetoric in the news article, which discusses forced marriage and compares it to the existing research regarding violence against women and racialization in the media.
• The Bill of Rights: the Case of Domestic Violence Jessica Gonzales is a case of domestic violence. She is a lady that has fallen victim to being shut out of court.
• Reducing Cases of Domestic Violence at All Stages of Pregnancy This essay suggests that intervention mechanisms should be established to reduce cases of domestic violence at all stages of pregnancy.
• Volunteering in the Social Project Providing Legal Assistance to the Domestic Violence Victims Although the U.S. is a progressive country, one in four its women experiences severe partner physical violence.
• Domestic Violence in America Governmental and non-governmental agencies have often argued that domestic violence is a serious social problem in America.
• Domestic Violence and Its Impacts on Children Domestic violence has serious impacts on children. When they grow up in a violent environment, they get affected psychologically and sometimes physically.
• The Reluctance of Gay, Lesbian Victims to Report Domestic Violence Members of the gay community suffer from domestic violence in almost the same magnitude as members of the heterosexual community.
• Community and Domestic Violence: Elder Abuse Perhaps the most common type of elder abuse is neglect; this refers to the refusal or failure to provide basic needs such as food, shelter or healthcare to vulnerable adults.
• Ku Klux Klan Ban and Domestic Violence and Race Issues Ku Klux Klan should be declared a terrorist organization and banned for the benefit of the community as a whole.
• Community and Domestic Violence: Violence Against Women The most known form of domestic violence is physical or battering, which causes pain and injury and it involves beating, choking, pushing, biting, kicking, and others.
• Domestic Violence Problem Overview and Analysis The macro-sociological theory tells that the root of violence in families lies within the core system of society and is a reaction to harmful events inside and outside the family.
• New York State Domestic Violence Statics Family violence has been revealed to cause a lot of problems in which; family issues remain unsolved for long, once spouses get into frequent domestic violence.
• Domestic Violence – A Grave Societal Concern Our community faces issues that relate to violence committed on women and for every reason to enjoy conjugal life there is also the need to bear with violence.
• Involving the Health Care System in Domestic Violence “Involving the Health Care System in Domestic Violence: What Women Want” points out the importance of integrating socially accepted means to break the silence related to domestic violence.
• Abusive Relationships and Domestic Violence Treatment One of the most apparent examples of how exposure to abusive relationships can have adverse outcomes is the nurse practitioner who experienced abuse and manipulation in the past.
• Nurses Caring for Domestic Violence Victims The past experiences of family violence certainly allow nurses to become aware of the nature and processes involved in these situations.
• Changing Course in the Anti-Domestic Violence Legal Movement To address the problem of domestic violence, it is necessary to propose a complex program as a response to this social issue.
• The Realities of Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Our Society The topic of domestic violence was chosen not only for its relevance but also because of the hope to shed light on the adverse influence that the issue has on people.
• Revealing Marital Rape as Domestic Violence Marital rape entails sexual action with one’s partner devoid of his or her consent. Failure to get consent is the fundamental component that results in the involvement in violence.
• How Non-Profits Address Domestic Violence Both law enforcement agencies and organizations focusing on public health can contribute to the action plan of addressing domestic abuse.
• Domestic Violence and Non-Therapeutic Interventions In the United States, the issue of domestic violence is closely related to other misfortunate circumstances in people’s lives.
• Domestic Violence as a Topic for Academic Studies The topic selected for the research deals with family issues and is critical for society. Domestic violence is reported all over the world that is why it should not be ignored.
• Domestic Violence in the US of the Last Decade The issue of domestic violence is a global societal problem. In most cases, women are the main victims of this uncivilized behavior with men being the perpetrators.
• Domestic Violence: Control and Prevention Domestic violence occurs when a person is abused by another in the same family. This form of violence is common in relationships, marriages, and families.
• Domestic Violence Experienced by Psychiatric Patients Oram et al. believe that the incidence of domestic violence and abuse can be associated with the victimization among the patients with psychiatric disorders.
• Domestic Violence Problem: Psychiatric Patients The problem of domestic violence experienced by psychiatric patients is particularly acute now that the statistics show the rapidly growing number of the cases of family abuse.
• Domestic Violence in Federal and State Legislation Despite the fact that much remains to be done to solve the problem of violence in the family, the state and society have contributed to changing the current situation.
• Domestic Violence as a Pressing Issue This work examines a course project on the topic of domestic violence as a pressing issue on which the public cannot come to an agreement.
• Domestic Violence Article and Conservation Model This essay examines the article “Violence against women and its consequences” and assesses the article’s strengths and weaknesses using the conservation model.
• Domestic Violence in Same/Opposite-Sex Relationships In their article, Banks and Fedewa investigate counselors’ attitudes toward domestic violence in same-sex versus opposite-sex relationships.
• Child Corporal Punishment as Domestic Violence The public widely accepts a differentiation between domestic violence and corporal punishment, although the latter can be damaging to children’s health and well-being.
• Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Practitioners aim pharmacology-based IPV intervention strategies at relieving the effects of abuse that victims encounter, which may range from mild distress to PTSD.
• Domestic Violence Among Black Immigrant Women This study shows that domestic violence is more prevalent among black immigrant women as compared to other women in the United States.
• Domestic Violence Victims’ Needs Assessment To address domestic violence, it is important to perform a needs assessment and collect the data to develop an effective strategy to withstand domestic violence.
• Nurse’s Help and Policy for Domestic Violence Victims Nurses often found themselves deprived of opportunities to help their patients who are victims of violence because of policy restrictions.
• Domestic Violence Negative Impact on the People Psyche The question of the project is whether children who have experienced domestic violence demonstrate irreversible changes in their mentalities that shift their behaviors to deviant.
• Domestic Violence in the US: Effects on Children Domestic violence is a common practice in many countries. This study finds out how domestic violence affects children in the USA.
• “Addressing Domestic Violence Against Women” by Kaur and Gang Kaur and Gang present arguable aspects regarding ways of addressing the problem of domestic violence against women. Different individuals have divergent views on this subject.
• Domestic Violence Problem and the Impact on the Children’s Psyche The research question of this paper is whether domestic violence results in irreversible changes in children’s mentality and psyche and how its negative impact could be mitigated.
• Domestic Violence and Victims’ Resistance This paper defines, discusses, and solves the problem of domestic violence to guarantee the improvement in the sphere and victims’ ability to resist this problem.
• Domestic Violence, Its Existing and New Solutions Domestic violence is a problem that is researched and monitored by various agencies. Different social care establishments try to create a system for possible interventions.
• Domestic Violence Study and Lessons Learnt Apart from shedding a lot of light on the nature of abusive relationships, the project on domestic violence and abuse helped me develop new research skills.
• Domestic Violence in the Health Policy Domestic violence is a crucial issue that has to be addressed in order to eradicate abuse and help the patients to overcome the issue of retained supremacy.
• Domestic Violence and Abuse Countermeasures At the moment, the civilized world condemns domestic violence and has introduced different measures to protect people from this remnant of the past.
• Mental Health and Domestic Violence in Bangladesh The paper reviews Ziaei et al.’s article “Experiencing lifetime domestic violence: Associations with mental health and stress among pregnant women in rural Bangladesh.”
• Domestic Violence by an Intimate Partner Most people, especially women, are rejecting any form of violence in intimate relationships as a legitimate social norm. The major factor is the diffusion of global norms.
• Domestic Violence and Public Awareness This academic research increases the audience’s understanding of the severity of the topic of domestic violence and raises public awareness.
• Domestic Violence Intervention in Health Care Domestic violence is a concept that can be described as emotional, verbal, sexual or any other existing kind of abuse that may scare the victim.
• Conservation Model and Domestic Violence The analysis reveals that domestic violence provokes a chain of negative reaction in females’ structural, social, and personal integrity, and energy.
• Nursing and Midwifery Recognizing Domestic Violence The paper reviews the article “Are We Failing to Prepare Nursing and Midwifery Students to Deal with Domestic Abuse?” by Bradbury-Jones & Broadhurst.
• Domestic Violence in America, Asia, and Africa The paper investigates the issue of domestic violence in the United States and several other cultures, namely, in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Peru, and Brazil.
• Substance Abuse Treatment and Domestic Violence The histories of child abuse and neglect form the present behavior of a person a define his administering treatment needs regarding the fact of whether a person was sexually or emotionally abused.
• The Origin of Domestic Violence The present research is to define the origin of domestic violence and the measures that can be taken in order to lessen the influence of the discovered reason.
• Domestic Violence in Florida The mission of the Florida Department’s Domestic Violence Program is to contribute to creating the safe environments for the victims of domestic violence.
• Battered Woman Syndrome as a Theoretical Explanation of Domestic Violence Effects Battered Woman Syndrome is an inductive theory that seeks to explain the reactions of women when they are subjected to domestic violence.
• Resilience and Growth in the Aftermath of Domestic Violence In this paper, the discussion centers on the concept of resilience, spirituality, and its application in the aftermath of domestic violence.
• African American Women: Domestic Violence and Integrity At present, gender profiling still remains an issue, and the present-day African American communities are infamously known as a graphic example of women abuse in society.
• The Impact of Abusive Experiences on Nursing Practitioner’s Performance With the Victims of Domestic Violence This paper aims to discuss positive and negative tendencies that could emerge in the mentioned circumstances.
• What Is Meant by Domestic Violence?
• What Do You Feel About Domestic Violence?
• Why Do We Have Domestic Violence?
• Does Domestic Violence Affect a Child’s Future?
• Should Domestic Violence Always Be Prosecuted?
• What Are the Causes of Domestic Violence?
• What Are the Factors Influencing Domestic Violence Against Women in Jamaica?
• Can Domestic Violence Abusers Be Rehabilitated?
• How Far Can Children Be Said to Be Affected by Domestic Violence?
• Are Men Also Subject to Domestic Violence?
• Can the Police Reduce Domestic Violence?
• Does Economic Empowerment Protect Women Against Domestic Violence?
• Does Women’s Labor Force Participation Reduce Domestic Violence?
• What Are the Differences Between Domestic Violence and Family Violence?
• When Did Domestic Violence Become Illegal?
• What Are the 5 Signs of Emotional Abuse and Domestic Violence?
• How Does Domestic Violence Affect a Person Emotionally?
• Where Does Most Domestic Violence Occur?
• Where Is Domestic Violence Most Common in the US?
• How Widespread Is Domestic Violence?
• How Does Domestic Violence Affect a Woman Mentally?
• How Does Domestic Violence Affect a Man?
• What Type of Relationship Has the Highest Domestic Violence Rate?
• What Country Has the Lowest Rate of Domestic Violence?
• What Is the Punishment for Domestic Violence in Canada?
• Can Domestic Violence Cause a Nervous Breakdown?
• Does Domestic Violence Lead to Depression?
• What Do People Need to Know About Domestic Violence?
• Does Domestic Violence Affect the Brain?
• Does Domestic Violence Cause Mental Illness?

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These essay examples and topics on Domestic Violence were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 8, 2024 .

Domestic Violence - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

Domestic violence refers to abusive behaviors in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation. Essays on domestic violence could discuss its prevalence, the psychological and societal factors contributing to it, the impact on victims and communities, and the legal and social services aimed at preventing and addressing domestic violence. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Domestic Violence you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Domestic Violence: the Effect it has on Children

Growing up, children need a safe environment. A home where they can feel secure, and have a sense of stability. Where parents love and protect their children. A home free of violence, and when things go wrong in the outside world, home is a place of comfort and support. But for over 1.5 million children in the United States, this is not the case. Every year, hundreds of millions of children in the United States experience one parent violently assaulting […]

Domestic Violence and the Physicological Affects

Domestic violence is presented throughout all the United States, whether the people of society recognize it, or it is under the radar and not seen. Domestic violence can be distinct in many ways because there are several diverse types of domestic abuse. Domestic violence are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married, heterosexual, gay or lesbian, living together, separated or dating (Siemieniuk, 2010). Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, […]

Gender Equality and Crime

The court and the Judiciary, in general, are guided by the basic principles of justice to all. Judges usually give rulings based on the rule of law with the intention of protecting the public, deterring crime, rehabilitating law offenders, punishing offenders and offering reparation to the victim. The principles of justice mean fairness, protecting the rights of all regardless of gender, race or religion. However, gender equality has been a significant issue for many years, and there has been a […]

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Domestic Violence Family Therapy Interventions

The traditional therapeutic approach to working with those who commit domestic violence has been the Duluth educational model. However, this model faces a significant amount of criticism in its gender-divided model that does not allow for relevant psychological factors to be considered. In this paper, I will review the points of the Duluth model that have been criticized and provide two alternative approaches that have shown to consider important therapeutic factors and benefits to both families and couples seeking treatment […]

What are the Possible Causes and Signs of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a destructive issue that is very common and affects many Americans today. Abuse can occur in heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships, and occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. It is disastrous for the batterer and the battered, and can be fatal. One in four women are abused by their partners, and nearly more than 10 million people are abused every year. Domestic violence is consistent violent or aggressive behavior towards another person […]

The Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Abstract This paper discusses the effects that childhood sexual abuse has on children. It states the basics and statistics of sexual abuse in children in our society. The immediate symptoms and signs of childhood sexual abuse are discussed as well as long term emotional effects, long lasting physical effects and psychological disorders due to sexual abuse. The treatment of childhood sexual abuse is also discussed to show how positive resources can help victims of sexual abuse. Introduction In the United […]

Domestic Violence and Women’s Mental Health

Domestic violence occurs worldwide irrespective of culture, geographical and historical period. There are many factors that cause or lead to domestic violence and they are: Unmet role expectations. Unmet role expectations on the part of the wife or husband could lead to domestic violence in the family. If women fail to fulfil basic domestic responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, managing household budgets and taking care of child, it often leads to domestic violence. Child care was a source of argument […]

Children and Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence has effected and still continues to effect the lives of many individuals. Statics on domestic violence states Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten Domestic violence is not only found amongst adults but even children and teenagers are victims of domestic violence or are the abuser in an abusive violent relationship .To briefly define and understand Domestic violence, it is an abusive relationship between individuals who abuse one another, aggressively, physically and even […]

Child Abuse and Neglect

English Composition Final Proposal Essay: Child Abuse and Neglect There have been countless studies focused around how the mind of a child is warped when transitioning into their adulthood after experiencing neglect and abuse. It's evidently very difficult for a victim of this certain issue to forget their traumatic experiences, ultimately impacting their physiological and physical health. Child abuse and neglect refer to any harmful behavior by caregivers, parents, legal guardians, and other adults that is outside the norms of […]

Domestic Violence in the United States

Abstract Domestic violence, a combination of crimes that have been perpetrated for centuries is a big concern today to the American society. The government acknowledges that the scope of domestic violence is wide as there are different forms of crimes that are termed as domestic. Example of these home abuse includes sexual, verbal, physical, and emotional abuses. According to National statistics on Domestic violence women and children form the majority of the domestic violence. Domestic violence has an adverse impact […]

The Rise of Domestic Violence in our Society and Culture

The definition of the term domestic violence is, violence or abuse of one person against another taking place in a domestic setting, for example: marriage, cohabitation, etc. Therefore the topic of domestic violence is a serious one, because it takes place in homes, in some of the most personal and intimate of settings. The truth is that violence comes closer to many families than we would like to admit. Domestic violence is America's dark little secret - Former Senator Bill […]

National Center on Child Abuse

According to the Staus, over 14 out of every 100 American children, ranging from 3 to 17, are subjected to abusive violence each year. This means that approximately six and a half million are abused each year in the United States out of the 46 million children that are categorized into the age group 3 to 17. These statistics are different from the statistic represented by the U.S. National Center on Child Abuse. According to the U.S. National Center on […]

Domestic Violence in Ethiopia

Many men claim that men and women are equal or they will say I don't abuse women and its common to hear them saying we are treated equally but the truth is very different. Many women around the world are victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence is an abusive behavior usually at home that is mostly involving a spouse and a partner. Domestic violence is a serious issue all over the world especially in a country where gender inequality still […]

Various Type of Domestic Violence

This review will be divided into four-subsection to focus in explain the general factors in Domestic violence against in various type of gender and include animals. Many researchers have different opinion and summarize different factors that causes to abusive violence. Each gender have own different ability and perspectives. I analyses theses literatures in order to fulfill my understanding about Domestic Violence in various gender type and how it relate to the other living things such as animals. Mostly the article […]

The Affect Domestic Violence has on Children

Introduction The proposed research will define domestic violence focusing on children. It will outline affects domestic violence has on children and examine whether or not their physical, mental, and/or social development is delayed with prolonged domestic violence. It will also study whether or not a child's health and education is affected. The research will aim to identify different trends associated with helping those children in the midst of domestic violence within find safe alternatives to cope with the violence. Articles […]

Domestic Violence with Children

Even though domestic violence for adults is harmful enough to lead to suicide children play a tremendou role in this by affecting their development growth and high risk of depression, Exposure to domestic violence impact children in different types of ways because children exposed to domestic violence usually never recover from it and can follow up to affect their future family and this affects children's education, social, emotional, and behavioral growth though it's different with every kid. According to the […]

Family Violence and Child Abuse

Family Violence and Child Abuse Seldomly do people realize how often child are abused by parents, not always through violence, but in other various factors that can traumatize a child. The textbook Heavy Hands written by Denise Kindschi Gosselin has an entire chapter on child abuse and the different types of abuse that are involved against these children. Historical accounts tell us that children have always been abused and neglected by one or both parents; it is not uncommon or […]

The Effects of Domestic Violence: Family & Society

Unspoken, destructive, and hidden from the outside world. Domestic violence. In grade school it is rarely talked about. October is Domestic Violence awareness month, yet no one said a word. In order to prevent this, we must first understand it. What is domestic violence? It is a pattern of controlling and manipulating behavior that is meant to subdue and take all the power in a relationship. Intimate partner violence is a more specific type of domestic violence, it is any […]

How does Domestic Violence Affect Children’s Development in School

Introduction My fieldwork was done at Bolton Refuge House where women can go to seek refuge from an abuser and escape a situation of domestic violence. The mission of Bolton Refuge House is to offer tools that will empower victims and create a safe environment for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Bolton Refuge House has an emergency shelter that is available for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault who do not feel safe in their own homes. […]

Types of Domestic Violence

Why Research Domestic Violence? To raise awareness about this silent killer To gather statistics that show that this can happen to anyone To Put a story and name to the numbers What is Domestic violence? Domestic violence (also called intimate partner violence (IPV), domestic abuse or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Forms of Domestic violence: Physical abuse Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse Financial […]

Spousal Abuse and Domestic Violence

Domestic violence or violence between intimate partners, results in the deaths of approximately four women every day and accounts for thirty-one percent of female homicides in the United States. (Mills). For a long time, domestic violence was looked at as a private and personal matter that didn't necessarily call for police and prosecution concern. In some cases, the victim would have to pay the prosecutors a fee in order to have their abuser prosecuted (Mills). Now, when it comes to […]

Exploitation and Spiteful Crimes against Women in the United States

For many years the exploitation and spiteful crimes against women in the United States was not seen as a major concern in the nation. Women were and are still being abused by their intimate partner, sexually assaulted, and stalked. Generally, domestic violence is just seen as physical abuse. However, domestic violence is a legal concept that refers to physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse. It is rare but domestic violence is not just men being abusive to women but women […]

Witness to Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is commonly known as an unspoken situation among individuals around the world. The behaviors are physically, emotionally, and mentally unstable for many individuals. It can sometimes be linked to many theories; one theory being "The Social Learning Theory. If done coercively, the behavior can be viewed as one partner dominant of the other. This Literature Review is a reflection on views around the world as they pertain domestic violence related to women. Trends From 1993-2000 The article by […]

Mass Shootings and Domestic Violence

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Domestic Violence and Traditional Feminist Philosophy and Beliefs

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Relationship between Police and Involvement and Domestic Violence

Literature Review Literature has suggested that domestic violence reporting and victims of domestic violence, are issues that have very little research. On top of this, the research that has been conducted is not as accurate because the definition of domestic violence has been generalized. This means that research of domestic violence could include anything from fighting with friends, to abuse within intimate partner relationships, abuse against women, and family violence. Within the relationships alone, definitions can also differ. For example, […]

The Tough Guy Image in Black Families

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A Proposal for Companion Animal Supports in a Domestic Violence Shelter in Massachusetts

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Faith Harper Domestic Violence Case Study

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In Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie faces obstacles throughout her life and ultimately learns to grow from them. Hurston portrays love, dominance, independence, discrimination, and abuse in her novel. Hurston uses domestic abuse story. During the 20’s women were not treated fairly nor with respect. Janie’s first marriage to Logan Killicks was arranged by Janie’s grandmother who valued financial security and respectability. In Janies marriage, Logan treated her with love and respect for about a year […]

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How To Write an Essay About Domestic Violence

Understanding domestic violence.

Before starting an essay about domestic violence, it's important to understand what constitutes domestic violence and its impact on individuals and society. Domestic violence refers to a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. It can include physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. Begin your essay by defining domestic violence, discussing its various forms, and addressing common misconceptions. It's also crucial to explore the psychological and social factors that contribute to domestic violence, as well as its short and long-term effects on victims, families, and communities.

Developing a Thesis Statement

A strong essay on domestic violence should be anchored by a clear, focused thesis statement. This statement should present a specific viewpoint or argument about domestic violence. For example, you might discuss the societal factors that contribute to domestic violence, the challenges in seeking justice for victims, or the effectiveness of intervention and support programs. Your thesis will guide the direction of your essay and provide a structured approach to your analysis.

Gathering Supporting Evidence

Support your thesis with relevant data, research, and examples. This might include statistics on the prevalence of domestic violence, case studies, or research findings on the effects of domestic violence on individuals and society. Use this evidence to support your thesis and build a persuasive argument. Remember to consider different perspectives and include voices of survivors in your discussion.

Analyzing the Impact of Domestic Violence

Dedicate a section of your essay to analyzing the impact of domestic violence. Discuss various aspects, such as the physical and mental health consequences for victims, the social and economic costs, and the effect on children and families. Explore both the immediate and long-term effects, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points of your discussion and restating your thesis in light of the evidence provided. Your conclusion should tie together your analysis and emphasize the significance of addressing domestic violence in society. You might also want to highlight areas where further research or policy development is needed, or suggest ways individuals and communities can help combat domestic violence.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After completing your essay, review and edit it for clarity and coherence. Ensure that your arguments are well-structured and supported by evidence. Check for grammatical accuracy and ensure that your essay flows logically from one point to the next. Consider seeking feedback from peers or experts in the field to refine your essay further. A well-written essay on domestic violence will not only demonstrate your understanding of the topic but also your ability to engage with complex social issues.

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Essay On Domestic Violence

500 words essay on domestic violence.

Domestic violence refers to the violence and abuse which happens in a domestic setting like cohabitation or marriage. It is important to remember that domestic violence is not just physical but any kind of behaviour that tries to gain power and control over the victim. It can affect people from all walks of life and it basically subjects towards a partner, spouse or intimate family member. Through an essay on domestic violence, we will go through its causes and effects.

Causes of Domestic Violence

Often women and children are the soft targets of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a gruesome crime that also causes a number of deaths. Some of the most common causes of domestic violence are illiteracy and economical dependency on the menfolk.

The male-dominated society plays an important role in this problem. Further, dowry is also one of the leading causes which have the consequence of violence against newly-wed brides. In many parts of the world, physically assaulting women and passing horrendous remarks is common.

Moreover, children also become victims of this inhuman behaviour more than often. It is important to recognize the double standards and hypocrisy of society. A lot of the times, the abuser is either psychotic or requires psychological counselling.

However, in a more general term, domestic violence is the outcome of cumulative irresponsible behaviour which a section of society demonstrates. It is also important to note that solely the abuser is not just responsible but also those who allow this to happen and act as mere mute spectators.

Types of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence has many ill-effects which depend on the kind of domestic violence happening. It ranges from being physical to emotional and sexual to economic. A physical abuser uses physical force which injures the victim or endangers their life.

It includes hitting, punching, choking, slapping, and other kinds of violence. Moreover, the abuser also denies the victim medical care. Further, there is emotional abuse in which the person threatens and intimidates the victim. It also includes undermining their self-worth.

It includes threatening them with harm or public humiliation. Similarly, constant name-calling and criticism also count as emotional abuse. After that, we have sexual abuse in which the perpetrator uses force for unwanted sexual activity.

If your partner does not consent to it, it is forced which makes it sexual abuse. Finally, we have economic abuse where the abuser controls the victim’s money and their economic resources.

They do this to exert control on them and make them dependent solely on them. If your partner has to beg you for money, then it counts as economic abuse. This damages the self-esteem of the victim.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of the Essay on Domestic Violence

To conclude, domestic violence has many forms which include physical aggression like kicking and biting and it can also be sexual or emotional. It is essential to recognize the signs of domestic violence and report the abuser if it is happening around you or to you.

FAQ of Essay on Domestic Violence

Question 1: Why is domestic violence an issue?

Answer 1: Domestic violence has a major impact on the general health and wellbeing of individuals. It is because it causes physical injury, anxiety, depression. Moreover, it also impairs social skills and increases the likelihood that they will participate in practices harmful to their health, like self-harm or substance abuse.

Question 2: How does domestic violence affect a woman?

Answer 2: Domestic violence affects women in terms of ill health. It causes serious consequences on their mental and physical health which includes reproductive and sexual health. It also includes injuries, gynaecological problems, depression, suicide and more.

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Stanford University School of Medicine blog

A domestic violence survivor’s story

Editor's note: This story contains details of domestic violence.

Stanford med school saved my life. Not in the metaphorical way, but in a very literal way. If I didn't start medical school when I did, there is a high chance I wouldn't be alive today.

I struggled writing this piece because only a small handful of people know my story. By the time you're done reading these 800 or so words, you'll know only part of it, but what I hope you take away from it is this: Domestic violence victims can come in all shapes and sizes.

They aren't always timid, quiet, and weak, as they are often stereotyped to be in movies and on TV. They might be outspoken, confident, lighthearted and outgoing. To my fellow medical students and colleagues in the health care field: It is the latter type of person, the type who's able to hide their abuse behind confidence and success, who needs our help the most.

This is something that I've kept largely hidden, but I'm writing this today with the hope that my story will stick with you, such that more domestic violence victims can be saved by advocates who take the time to genuinely listen and ask questions.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I am a domestic violence survivor.

For about 1.5 years, I was both emotionally and physically abused by my then partner while I was living abroad and working in the public health field. Looking back, I realize now how brainwashed I was at the time, thinking that he loved me, that things could change, that the bruises on my body and literal twisted joints - and more hurtful than those even, the things he said to me - were my fault.

I'm currently in the most supportive, loving, incredible relationship, and I know now how wrong I was to think those things about my abuser.

What I hope to accomplish in this piece is to help others understand how they, as health care professionals, caring friends, and concerned colleagues, can empower domestic violence victims and save lives. Two stories stand out when I think about how others fell short of helping me escape.

The first missed opportunity happened in a makeup store. He had hit me in fits of rage before, but this was the first time he had hit my face hard enough to cause bruising.

I walked into a cosmetics store looking for makeup to cover the black and blue splotches on my lip. The cashier looked concerned, pursed his lips, but said nothing. He helped me find a concealer that matched my skin tone, then explained "color correction" products to me. I remember how I held back tears and was so ready to tell everything to this stranger, had he only asked where my bruises came from.

The second missed opportunity happened at an optometrist's office. I later learned in medical school that when someone endures blunt trauma near their eyes, tiny blood vessels in the eyes can burst, causing a bloodshot look that can't be "cured" by eye drops. This was how my eyes looked when I walked into the office, hoping for an eye exam. (I wouldn't have normally gone in but the night before, after hitting me, my then-partner snapped my glasses in half to further impair me.)

The optometrist asked me why my eyes were so red; I lied and said I had slept with my contact lenses in overnight. After he tried relieving the redness with eye drops to no avail, he furrowed his brow, seemed as if he was going to inquire further, then shook his head and completed my eye exam so that I could order new glasses.

He was the only person aside from my abuser who had seen me in four days, and how I wished he had asked more questions.

There were many instances during which a single question or concerned comment from a friend, doctor, or random makeup store cashier could have snapped me out of this scary, disillusioned reality that had become my new normal, but that never happened. Had it not been for starting medical school here at Stanford in 2016, I'm not sure if I would have ever convinced myself that I was strong enough - or worth enough, good enough, valuable enough - to escape.

If you think that your patient, your friend, or your colleague is a domestic abuse victim or survivor, pity and looks of sympathy are the last things she needs. Believe her, listen to her, support her, and you will save her.

If you are a domestic abuse victim or survivor, please know this: You are strong, and you are not alone.

Please share this with your family, friends, and colleagues. Medical school saved my life, but not everyone is afforded the same opportunity.

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Domestic Violence: Reason, Forms and Measures Essay

Introduction, problem statement, literature review, forms and causes of domestic violence.

Domestic or family violence involves abusive behavior patterns that individuals go through in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence takes place in families where parents may abuse their children or in marriages where one spouse abuses the other.

The term domestic violence is defined by American Medical Association Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines on Domestic Violence (AMADTGDV) as the state, in which powerful individuals in an intimate relationship dominate, misuse their power and victimize the less powerful.

Some of the factors that maintain power differences include differences in financial positions, age differences and state of health. Powerful people use their position to intimidate and control the less fortunate people. According to Buzawa and Buzawa (2003), some people go the extent of using physical violence.

Although all people can experience domestic violence, the most affected are women. Husbands and boyfriends in a relationship are the main perpetrators of violence while girl friends and women end up being the victims. Violence against women is a major problem all over the world in the present days.

This is because the number of women abused and misused by their husbands increases from day to day. Men act as victims of domestic violence in other cases. For instance, in homosexual relationships, powerful men victimize their fellow men.

Domestic violence is a major problem that many people overlook and term as a family issue. Its impacts can however be much more than people may think. Domestic violence has major impacts to families and societies. The main aim of this paper is to determine the reason behind the rapid increase of domestic violence, forms of domestic violence and measures that should be taken to reduce its effects (Aron, Aron & Coups, 2011).

Domestic violence is an important topic that should be clearly understood by people. The topic is very important because many problems arising in modern societies are because of domestic violence. Women, children and the whole society feel the effects of domestic violence.

This makes it a society’s matter of concern. Domestic violence against children is common in many societies. For instance, in the United States of America, it is estimated that more than three million children experience domestic violence sometime during their life. Studies have shown that domestic violence affects the physical, mental and psychological development of children.

Children exposed to traumatic experience become depressed in life. It is important for parents to measure the kind of punishments that they administer to their children when they do something wrong. This is because some of the punishments may be more of mistreatments than punishments for instance making children go without food (Buzawa &Buzawa, 2003).

Other children are abused sexually by their parents. Rape cases between parents and children are common. In many societies, incest taboo is observed where closely related people should not engage in sexual affairs in addition to this, transmission of sexually transmitted diseases becomes common. Incest reduces the respect between parents and their children.

When parents disagree between each other, children are greatly affected. Shipway (2004) points out that when parents divorce, children lack full parental care because they are left in the care of one parent. He further asserts that they may also lack full financial support that contributes to termination of important activities like education.

Injuries resulting from domestic violence affect the health of people. Wife battering is very common in many marriages where husbands beat and hit their wives. Use of physical power leads to head injuries, broken bones and internal bleeding. Some injuries are severe to the extend that they may need medical attendance.

There are cases in which some husbands beat up their wives to the extend they become disabled even after recovery or they die in the process. Pregnant mothers experiencing domestic violence are at greater risks of having miscarriages or giving birth before the fetus is mature enough. Arthritis, ulcers and pelvic pain are some of the health conditions associated with exposure to domestic violence (Shipway, 2004).

Victims living with perpetrators suffer psychologically because of stress, anxiety and fear. The victims are depressed because of the challenges facing them. Exposure to psychological stress increases the risks of the victim committing suicide during the relationship or even after terminating it.

Anxiety and panic is especially common to women whose husbands abuse them physically. They are confused a condition, which makes most of them loose, focuses. Financial problems arise out of domestic violence. There are some cases in which the husband decides not to cater for the needs of the family.

In this case, children and their mothers suffer from financial problems. If the wife does not have income of her own, then the problem is more severe. Being the head of families, some men take it as their duty to budget for all income in the family including the salary of their wives.

Some make sure that women remain with little of their own money. In cases of divorce, women find it hard to take good care of their families financially. Effects of domestic violence are therefore severe and this is why studying the topic is important. Knowledge of effects of domestic violence in families will help in reducing it (Shipway, 2004).

Violence against women and girls is a worldwide problem affecting physical, social, psychological and economic lives of women. The practice makes women not to exercise their rights and freedoms by making them inferior to men.

All countries experience the problems of violence against women but the degree varies from one society to another. Some of the groups that are vulnerable to violence include the minority groups, indigenous people, refugees and migrant women, disabled women, elderly women and children.

Cultural factors requiring women to be submissive to men encourage the practice. It is very hard to come up with reliable information but studies indicate that 20 to 50% of the total population of women in all countries experience violence from a family member or their companions (Summers, 2002).

According to Summers (2002), studies of domestic violence all over the world show that out of three women, one of them has been beaten up by their husbands, forced into sex or any other form of mistreatment sometime in her life. More than 324 000 expectant mothers are mistreated by their husbands during their pregnancy.

It is the main cause of injuries among women aged between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States of America and other countries. This is mainly because of increase in wife battering. For students in high schools, it is estimated that for every five girls one of them experience sexual and physical abuse from their partners.

They are forced into having sex or doing it without protection and sometimes bitten when they conflict with each other. Studies have also shown that out of four raped women, their companions committed the crime. Domestic violence is a major cause of homelessness.

A study of 46 cities conducted by Conference of Mayors in the United States of America confirmed wife battering as a cause of homelessness. In addition, a study done by the Ford Foundation found that half of homeless women and children were running way from abuse. Instead of maintaining a stressful marriage, many women decide to run away from homes to search for peace from elsewhere (Summers, 2002).

Rape cases are very high in the United States of America. The number of rape cases goes as high as 683000 per year. This means that at least one woman is raped in every minute. Even though rape cases are high, some of them go unreported. Usually, people well known to the victim do perpetration of rape.

Disabled women are at a higher risk of experiencing abuse than non-disabled ones. Crime cases against disabled people are likely to go unreported than with normal human beings. This may be because of difficulties in communication, physical and social discrimination of the disabled and ignorance of the system of justice.

In addition, the victim may fail to report because it will be a shame to them, the offender may be their primary caregivers and therefore fear that they will be neglected or abused by family members. The disabled are vulnerable to victimization because they cannot run away easily or fight against their enemy. 83% of disabled women and 32% of men are at a high-risk sexual harassment. Increase in rape cases puts people at high risk of unwanted pregnancies and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (Summers, 2002).

Summers (2002) argue that physical abuse involves body contact aimed at causing pain, intimidation or harm to the body. It involves punching, slapping, choking, pushing and hitting. Physical abuse also involves preventing lack of enough sleep and medical care.

When an individual inflicts injury on children or pets with the aim of harming the victim, this is physical abuse. Forcing people into sexual matters out of their will is sexual abuse. Cases of rape are common even among married couples.

Psychological abuse occurs when an individual does something with the aim of embarrassing the other. Discrimination causes psychological stress. Insults and threatening partners that they will die if they leave the relationship is emotional abuse.

Domestic violence is caused by a number of factors that vary from one person to another. Consumption of drugs and alcohol are main causes of domestic violence. Studies have shown that drunkard men are likely to beat their wives than non-drunkard ones.

External stress like from work places may lead to domestic violence. Some men transfer work issues to their wives. Failures to meet financial requirements, disruption of families are other causes of violence in families (Cefrey, 2008).

Getting accurate information is very difficult because not all cases of domestic violence. Some women decide to keep the problem to themselves or others fear that if they report, their husbands will divorce them (Cefrey, 2008).

In addition, the respondents may give invalid information to researchers or hide some information. The researcher can be bias so that he manipulates information given by respondent. He can also fail to note down some information provided to him during research. It is therefore difficult to get reliable data.

Violence against women has decreased in the modern world compared to the olden days. This is because wife battering which was allowed by some cultures is now a crime punishable like other crimes. The governments in all countries take strict measures against husbands found abusing their wives either financially, physically or emotionally.

Education for girl child has reduced instances of violence against women. Education has narrowed down the gap that existed between the boy child and the girl child. They work in the same places and earn equal salaries making them equal.

Girls have also known their rights and cannot allow men to interfere with them otherwise; they can take strict measures against them. Through education, men have been enlightened on the major roles that women play in the society. Large numbers of men now appreciate their wives. It is clear that violence has reduced greatly and people look forward to a generation that will be free from domestic violence (Soileau, 2008).

• Domestic violence influences the society negatively by causing:
• Difficulties in life
• High rates of divorce
• Deaths through injuries

Women and girls lead difficult lives because of exposure to domestic violence. Girls are forced to drop out of schools because of pregnancies arising from rape cases. Others conduct sexually transmitted diseases. Women lead stressful lives because their husbands are not willing to cooperate with them.

The belief that they should be submissive to men is a disadvantage to women because they cannot engage in decision-making. Men think that women cannot make sound decisions and therefore take control over everything in the household.

Women do not have say also on sexual matters. Deaths and injuries caused by intimate persons are common among women. Many pregnant mothers miscarry their babies because of exposure to stressful conditions. Other men beat their wives to the extend that they need medical attention.

Finally, divorce and homelessness are caused by domestic violence. Many families have broken up if one partner is abusing the other. Women leave their homes to search for peace in other areas like towns. Domestic violence has negative impacts to the well being of families as well as development of the society (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).

Domestic violence is abusive behavior that an individual goes through in a intimate relationship. The main victims of domestic violence are women even though homosexual relationships put men at a risk of becoming a victim.

Violence against women should be avoided because its effects are severe. Domestic violence increases mortality rate of many countries by causing deaths of wives, children and unborn babies. Other victims commit suicide because of psychological and emotional stress.

Violence against women is linked to occurrence of certain diseases like ulcers that cause death if untreated. Since domestic violence is a global matter of concern, necessary measures should be taken to ensure that it is completely eradicated in all societies.

This can be achieved by taking strict measures against spouses found mistreating their partners and children. Living in a domestic violence free area will improve the standards of living of wives (Shipway, 2004).

Aron, A., Aron, E. & Coups, E. (2011). Statistics for the behavioral and social sciences: A brief course . New Jersey, NJ: Pearson Prentice-Hall.

Buzawa, C. & Buzawa, E. (2003). Domestic violence: The criminal justice response . New York, NY: Sage.

Cefrey, H. (2008). Domestic violence . Washington, DC: The Rosen Publishing Group.

Renzetti, C. & Bergen, R. (2005). Violence against women . New Jersey, NJ: Rowman & Littlefield.

Shipway, L. (2004). Domestic violence: A handbook for health professionals . New York, NY: Routledge.

Soileau, M. (2008 ). Domestic violence: The forgotten victims . New York, NY: Xulon Press.

Summers, R. (2002). Domestic violence: A global view . London: Greenwood Publishing Group.

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IvyPanda. (2019, March 28). Domestic Violence: Reason, Forms and Measures. https://ivypanda.com/essays/domestic-violence-7/

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How To Write A Domestic Violence Speech (With Sample Speech)

Hrideep barot.

• Speech Writing

Today, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women. An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or other forms of harm by an intimate partner. Imagine that: as you sit here reading this article, 24 people are being hurt by the person that’s supposed to love them.

Domestic violence is not an issue specific to one single country or place. It happens all around the world and can happen to anyone. It’s a worldwide phenomenon, and that means it’s a topic that most people are familiar with.

And yet, even though so many people are familiar with domestic violence, but a few do anything about it–even when they’re the victims themselves. If you’re delivering a speech on domestic violence, this is something that you need to keep in mind.

Writing a speech on a topic as vast as domestic violence can seem like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be: writing a speech on domestic violence is just like writing any other speech.

To write an impactful speech on domestic violence, you need to keep in mind a few things like knowing your audience, using simple language, humanizing yourself, and showing–not telling–your speech.

But first: what is domestic violence & why should you write a speech about it?

Domestic Violence: What Is It & Why To Speak About It

In simple terms, domestic violence is violence or other abuse in a domestic setting such as marriage or cohabitation. Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior that an individual in a relationship uses to exert power over the other person.

The most important reason why we need to talk about domestic violence is that the more we talk about domestic violence, the more likely it gets that we will be able to spread awareness about it, be better able to identify abusive behaviors & take active steps to fight it.

This becomes especially important when we realize that many victims of domestic violence don’t realize that they’re victims at all.

Tips For Writing A Speech On Domestic Violence

1. familiarizing with the audience.

Knowing your audience is an integral part of any speech. It becomes even more important when you’re delivering a speech on a topic as sensitive as domestic violence.

So, before you start writing your speech, ask yourself: who am I going to deliver it to? Are the members in the audience victims of domestic violence themselves? Are they survivors of abuse? Or are they simply there to gain more knowledge about it.

The answer to the question is going to be highly important when you sit down to outline your speech.

2. Use Simple Language

If your aim is to spread awareness or reach out to more people with your speech, then your best bet is to use simple language while you’re delivering it.

We get it: complicated-sounding words make you sound smarter. But that’s not the purpose of your speech, is it? Nobody likes to hear complicated jargon. And if they don’t like to hear something, then they probably won’t.

3. Incorporate Stories

Storytelling is a must for any speech. It can take a flat or boring topic to the next level, and cement a speaker in the audience’s mind.

Incorporating stories in a speech about domestic violence is even more important. That’s because stories tend to have a personal impact on the audience’s mind. They also make it more likely that the audience will connect with you .

A story about a sixteen-year-old victim of dowry death, for example, will have a far greater impact than a statistic about how many teenagers die of domestic violence every year.

We’ve made an extensive video on storytelling that you can check out here. The techniques given here can be applied for all types of speeches and help make the presentation more persuasive:

4. Humanize Yourself

For the audience, the speaker and the message are synonymous with each other. If they do not connect with the speaker or feel like the speaker is distant, then they will never be able to connect with the message either.

So, it’s important to humanize yourself in their eyes. There are many ways in which you can do this. Storytelling is one. Humor is another great way to make yourself more approachable. And write your speech like you’re talking to a friend or family member–not to a bunch of robots.

5. Show, Don’t Tell

This is a tip that writers often hear: show the reader what you want them to see, don’t tell it to them. This goes for speechwriting too. You don’t want to simply bombard the audience with facts and statistics. Instead, you want to make them connect with your speech and give them a tangible idea to take back.

The best way to show and not tell is by incorporating stories and examples in your speech. Don’t tell them why domestic violence is horrifying: make them feel why it is.

6. Add A Unique Angle

For a topic such as domestic violence, it’s likely that many speakers have spoken before you. This means that your audience has probably heard about the topic from multiple different channels–like the internet, social media websites, Youtube–before your speech.

If you truly wish to make an impact on your audience’s mind and make your speech memorable for them, then you need to find a unique angle to your speech. While it’s good to take inspiration from other speeches, you don’t want to copy it. Instead, have your own spin on the topic.

How To Start A Speech On Domestic Violence?

There are many ways of starting a speech. A few of them have been listed below:

1. Powerful Phrase

A quintessential way to start a speech would be with the use of a powerful statement or phrase. This catches your audience’s attention right off the bat, and makes it more likely they’ll stick with you for longer.

By 2050, the world as we know it will come to an end.

2. What-If Scenario

Another great way to start a speech on domestic violence is to make the audience imagine something. This will not only make for a killer opening but will also prime your audience by making them engage in your speech right from the beginning.

What if every relationship in the world was an abusive relationship? What if abuse, and not love, was the basis of every relationship?

Storytelling is a quintessential way to start off a speech, and for good reason. Stories are an excellent way to engage your audience in your speech, and to formulate a personal connection with them right off the bat.

I was twenty-one years old when my boyfriend called me a ‘bitch’ and punched me in the face for the first time…

4. Question

A question is another great way to start off a speech. A question gets your audience thinking and makes them more actively engaged in your speech. You can ask the audience a rhetorical question–or even a literal one if you want.

Example: How many of you have had a partner swear at or hit you?

5. S hocking Statistic or Fact

Statistics and facts are another great way to begin your speech. This is because statistics or facts can add shock-value to your speech & immediately draw your audience’s attention where it should be: on what you’re going to say next.

Example: 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence (e.g. beating, burning, strangling) by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

For more information on how to open your speech, check out our article on 10 Of The Best Things To Say In Opening Remarks

Sample Speech On Domestic Violence

Speeh Title: The War Inside Our Homes

“We are at war. In this country and across all the other countries across the world, a war is being waged. Unlike other wars, this one is not a loud war being fought between countries. This is a silent war. A war with a battlefield right inside the comfort of our homes. It is a war against domestic abuse. Like all other wars, the war against domestic abuse is man-made. Domestic abuse isn’t something new or previously unseen. In fact, it’s something that all of us are familiar with. Even if not everybody–thankfully–has a first-hand experience, we all know what domestic violence is. We’ve seen or heard about it before, be it in the news or on the television or even amongst people we know. One in three women and one in four men in the U.S. have reported having experienced rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. And these are only the cases that have been reported: the stories that are buried, the victims that are too afraid–or in too much danger–to speak out, are most often forgotten. “It started after an argument about who’s turn it was to buy milk.” James Harrison, a twenty-five-year-old writer from New York, thought he’d met the love of his life after his first date with his girlfriend-turned-wife-turned-abuser, Amy. Not even a month later, the couple became an official Facebook-couple. Six months later, Amy was kicked out of her job–and then her apartment. James decided to help her out and invited her to live at his apartment–which he shared with his friend–for as long as she wanted. He had no idea he was inviting her to abuse him for over six months–both physically as well as mentally. When asked why he didn’t speak up sooner, he said it was because he was ashamed. “I couldn’t even tell my roommate,” he said. “I was so ashamed of myself.” James isn’t alone. Most often, when we think of domestic abuse, the first image that pops up in our mind is that of a woman being hit by a man. Women are quintessentially perceived as the victims of domestic abuse, and the man the aggressor. While it’s absolutely true that a vast chunk of the victims of domestic abuse is women, men can be victims of domestic abuse too. Determining the rate of violence against men can be difficult, as societal stigma means that men are often reluctant to report abuse or seek help. According to the National Violence Against Women Survey, over 830,000 men experience domestic violence every year. This means that every 37.8 seconds, somewhere in America a man is abused. Domestic abuse is not about size or strength or culture or gender. It doesn’t matter whether you are a man or a woman: abuse is abuse. And domestic violence has been on the rise–without a fall anywhere in sight. United Nations Secretary-General noted the horrifying global surge of domestic abuse and called for a domestic violence “ceasefire”. In many countries across the world, domestic violence reports and emergency calls have increased over 25 percent over the last year–and keep in mind these are only the ’emergencies and worst-case scenarios. For Amitya, it started as verbal insults. Insults that she assumed were harmless because after, all if he wasn’t physically hitting her, it wasn’t abuse, right? Just words. She was wrong. Although she wanted to leave, she had no means of doing so. She was without a job, and completely financially dependent on her husband. Her family had made it clear that they would not support her: if she left her husband, she’d be on the streets. And then what about her daughter? Who would feed her? Who would protect her from the horrors of homelessness? Then, words turned to fists. A month ago, she was rushed to the emergency room and almost lost her life because she couldn’t get a bed for herself. That’s when she knew she had to leave. Because if she didn’t, she–and maybe even her daughter–would die. She is not alone. We are at war. A war against domestic abuse. Whether we lose it or emerge triumphantly, it remains to be seen.”

To sum up, writing a speech on domestic abuse might seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be so. Delivering a speech on domestic violence is just like delivering any other speech. If you keep in mind a few things like knowing your audience, using simple language, humanizing yourself, and showing–not telling–your speech, you can deliver an impactful speech on domestic violence with ease.

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Home — Essay Samples — Law, Crime & Punishment — Domestic Violence — Breaking Free from Abusive Relationship: Domestic Violence

Breaking Free from Abusive Relationship: Domestic Violence

• Categories: Domestic Violence Relationship Victim

About this sample

Words: 1738 |

Published: Jun 5, 2019

Words: 1738 | Pages: 4 | 9 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, understanding domestic violence: a complex web of abusive relationships, escaping domestic violence: a complex process, preventing further violence: predictive tools, forms of abuse in abusive relationships.

• Physical Abuse: This form of abuse involves physical harm inflicted upon the victim. It includes acts such as hitting, kicking, slapping, choking, or any other form of bodily violence. Often, the physical scars are visible, serving as a grim reminder of the trauma endured.
• Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse within abusive relationships involves non-consensual sexual activities imposed upon the victim. This may range from unwanted sexual advances and coercion to sexual assault. Victims often grapple with profound feelings of violation and shame.
• Psychological and Emotional Abuse: Psychological and emotional abuse is insidious, leaving no visible marks but causing severe psychological harm. It encompasses tactics like manipulation, verbal threats, humiliation, isolation, and control. The scars of emotional abuse run deep, eroding the victim's self-esteem and sense of self-worth.
• Financial Abuse: Abusers often exercise control over their victims' financial resources, leaving them financially dependent and powerless. This form of abuse may involve withholding money, preventing employment, or sabotaging the victim's financial stability.
• Digital Abuse: In the digital age, abusers have found new avenues to exert control. Digital abuse includes actions like cyberbullying, stalking on social media, or using technology to monitor and intimidate the victim.

The Complex Dynamics of Abusive Relationships

• Cycle of Abuse: Abusive relationships often follow a cyclical pattern. The cycle typically begins with a period of tension building, characterized by escalating conflict and tension. This tension culminates in an acute abusive incident, such as physical violence. Following the abusive episode, an abuser may display remorse and offer apologies, initiating a phase of reconciliation. However, this reconciliation phase is often short-lived and eventually gives way to renewed tension, perpetuating the cycle.
• Isolation: Abusers frequently isolate their victims, cutting them off from friends and family. Isolation serves to control the victim's social interactions and limit their support network, making it harder for them to seek help or escape the relationship.
• Gaslighting: Gaslighting is a manipulative tactic used by abusers to make victims doubt their reality. Abusers may deny their actions, trivialize the abuse, or shift blame onto the victim, causing them to question their perception of events.
• Dependency: Abusers often foster financial and emotional dependency, making it challenging for victims to imagine a life outside the relationship. This dependency can be a significant barrier to leaving the abuser.
• Emotional Bonding: Paradoxically, abusive relationships may involve moments of intimacy and affection. These intermittent displays of love can create a strong emotional bond that keeps victims attached to their abusers, hoping for change.
• Patterns of Escalation: Recognizing patterns of escalating abuse is essential. Victims and their support networks should be vigilant about increases in the frequency or severity of violence, as this can signal a heightened risk.
• Isolation and Control: Assess the extent to which the abuser isolates and controls the victim. Isolation tactics and increased control can indicate a greater risk, as they may signify the abuser's desperation to maintain dominance.
• Access to Weapons: Determine the abuser's access to weapons. The presence of firearms or other deadly weapons can significantly elevate the risk of lethal violence.
• History of Violence: Consider the abuser's history of violence. If they have a documented history of violent behavior, including previous arrests or restraining orders, this should be taken seriously as a predictive factor.
• Escalation of Threats: Monitor any escalation in threats made by the abuser. Expressions of intent to harm the victim or themselves should be treated as urgent warning signs.
• Support System: Assess the strength of the victim's support system. A robust support network can be a protective factor, potentially reducing the risk of further violence.
• Legal Intervention: Evaluate whether legal interventions, such as restraining orders, have been sought or granted. Understanding the legal measures in place can provide insights into the victim's safety.
• Campbell, J. C. (2003). Danger assessment: Validation of a lethality risk assessment instrument for intimate partner femicide. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 18(11), 1153-1176.
• Adams, D. M. (2016). Why do they kill? Men who murder their intimate partners. Vanderbilt University Press.
• Babcock, J. C., Green, C. E., & Robie, C. (2004). Does batterers' treatment work? A meta-analytic review of domestic violence treatment. Clinical Psychology Review, 23(8), 1023-1053.
• Stark, E. (2007). Coercive control: How men entrap women in personal life. Oxford University Press.
• Golding, J. M. (1999). Intimate partner violence as a risk factor for mental disorders: A meta-analysis. Journal of Family Violence, 14(2), 99-132.
• Johnson, M. P. (2008). A typology of domestic violence: Intimate terrorism, violent resistance, and situational couple violence. Northeastern University Press.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline. (n.d.). Danger assessment. https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/danger-assessment/

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The conversation on domestic violence has changed in the 30 years since the O.J. Simpson trial

(Getty Images)

Nearly 30 years ago, the O.J. Simpson trial cast a bright spotlight on the issue of domestic violence as court proceedings garnered unprecedented levels of coverage. 

“It was good, on one hand, because people were talking about it,” said Stephanie Love-Patterson, a consultant for  Connections for Abused Women and their Children . “There was more funding — more funding that was given to domestic violence organizations, which was really good and really needed.”

Topics that once had been considered a private matter was thrust into the public sphere, a shift that paved the way for broader policy changes.

Love-Patterson joined  law professor Emily Sack and policy expert  Krista Colón to discuss how the domestic violence landscape has transformed over the past decades and the challenges that remain at the Center for Health Journalism’s  2024 Domestic Violence Symposium . The conversation, moderated by Los Angeles Times reporter  Sonja Sharp , also explored how reporters can connect domestic violence with other timely and newsy topics, from abortion access to technology. 

From acceptance to action

In the 1980s and early 90s, police often did not intervene in domestic violence incidents, said Sack, a professor at Roger Williams University.

“At most, they would tell the abuser to take a walk around the block,” she said. “They would often kind of collude with the abuser and sort of joke around and ask the victim: What have you done to provoke him or why are you still here? ... Because if it were really that bad, you would have left.”

As a criminal defense lawyer in the early 1990s, Sack represented a severely abused woman who killed her husband. Despite her efforts to seek law enforcement help, the police “really did nothing,” she said. Other than a few grassroots-funded shelters, there were no resources available. 

“The society at the time really didn’t pay much attention to this either,” Sack said. 

That landscape started to shift by the early 1990s, when the Violence Against Women Act was introduced by then-Senator Joe Biden. After an uphill battle, the bill’s eventual passage marked a watershed moment: the first comprehensive federal legislation designed to prevent violence against women, with funding for investigations and prosecution. 

“It definitely was a major shift in our conception of domestic violence,” Sack said.  

Amid progress, missed opportunities persist 

Before the O.J. Simpson trial, there was a sense that domestic violence was a private matter. Changing that assumption was important, though the discussions too often blamed the victim, Love-Patterson said. 

A common question arose: “Well, why didn’t she leave?” 

In the decades that followed, more funding and efforts poured into domestic violence organizations and programs. Even so, similar victim-blaming questions persist today, Love-Patterson said. She’s seen firsthand how women delay accessing services as a result. 

“There was this fear that they were going to be blamed and also that they weren’t going to believed,” she said. 

Love-Patterson would like to see the conversation on domestic violence center on how we can prevent abuse before it gets started. She’d also like to see expanded options for people who need help, beyond calling the police. Amid tensions between communities of color and police, some individuals might prefer timely information on shelter and counseling services, she said. 

Crime victims’ funding at risk 

Domestic violence services and supports are currently facing a funding crisis, explained Krista Colón, senior director of public policy strategies for the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.

The Victims of Crimes Act, which was passed in 1984, established a fund for victims of violence crimes, including domestic violence. The fund is generated through fines collected from federal prosecutions, which means the amount available can fluctuate by year. Today, declining numbers of prosecutions have left the fund balance “precariously low,” she said.  As a result, organizations that receive this funding will experience program cuts, impacting everything from emergency shelters to crisis hotlines and domestic violence housing. 

“What’s at stake is everything,” Colón said. “This is the funding that underpins every piece of our response to survivors.” 

The far-reaching impacts of these cuts should provide coverage ideas for reporters across the country. For example, the reductions could shutter clinics that provide free or low-cost legal services for people impacted by domestic violence, leading some rural regions to become “legal services deserts.”

Domestic violence intersects with timely topics

When it comes to reporting on domestic violence, LA Times reporter Sonja Sharp noted that editors tend to be most interested in high-profile cases that are clearly labeled as domestic violence. But she urged journalists to go beyond that narrow framing and explore how domestic violence relates to other current topics such as mass shootings, homelessness, policing, and reproductive rights. 

Reporters might examine how more restrictive abortion laws impact people seeking those services following abuse or rape. For example, what does it mean to have to wait longer or travel farther if you’re experiencing domestic violence? Journalists could also look at mass shootings and ask whether the perpetrator has a history of domestic violence. 

There are ample technology-related angles to explore, too, such as the control that comes from tracking someone’s location or reviewing their browsing history. Stalking, too, has taken on new forms as people can alter video doorbells or home thermostats, creating a sense that they’re present and watching their victims.

Finance reporters might explore how an abuser uses financial tactics to control their victim. For instance, after they are coerced to take out credit cards or loans, survivors may be left with debt collection and ruined credit. 

Children also may be used as a way of controlling a mother, keeping her in an abusive relationship or convincing her to return, speakers said. Those dynamics are even more complex when you add housing into the equation.

“If there’s no housing to go to, you’re facing an impossible choice of: Do I stay in a home that is unsafe for me but keeps my children fed and a roof over their heads?” Colón said. 

People who work in the domestic violence community are eager to expand on these and other topics for reporters, Love-Patterson said. 

“We’re more than happy to talk about those threads and to help create a very clear picture and correlation.”

Related Articles

• Three journalists share how they overcame tall challenges to tell stories of domestic violence
• Abortion bans pose huge challenges for pregnant survivors of domestic violence — and for reporters who want to tell their stories
• Data links Alaska’s sky-high maternal mortality rate to domestic violence

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Immigration Options for Victims of Crime

Many immigrants are fearful of admitting that they have been a victim of a crime in part because they believe they will be removed (deported) from the United States if they report the crime. U.S. law provides several protections for legal and undocumented immigrants who have been victims of a crime. There are specific protections for victims of domestic violence, victims of certain crimes, and victims of human trafficking .

A brochure about immigration options for victims of crime is available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), French, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Urdu.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Many individuals remain in abusive relationships because they fear reporting acts of domestic violence to police or fear seeking other forms of assistance. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a special pathway to lawful immigration status for victims of domestic abuse who would otherwise have to rely on their abusers to file a petition for status for them. VAWA allows victims of abuse who are close relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to file for status on their own (self-petition), without the abuser’s knowledge, consent, or participation. This pathway is available to spouses and children of abusive U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), and to parents of abusive U.S. citizens who are 21 years of age or older. These individuals may be eligible for lawful permanent resident status (Green Card), employment authorization, and public benefits. Applicants start the process by filing Form I-360. VAWA provisions apply equally to anyone regardless of gender. Please visit uscis.gov/humanitarian/abused-spouses-children-and-parents for more information.

Noncitizen victims must establish that they:

• Have a qualifying relationship with the U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder abuser;
• Reside or resided with the abuser;
• Have good moral character; and
• Have been a victim of battery or extreme cruelty.

U Nonimmigrant Status

U nonimmigrant status (also known as a U visa) offers temporary immigration protection for victims of certain qualifying criminal activity in the United States who have been helpful, are being helpful, or are likely to be helpful to certifying agencies in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of the qualifying criminal activity, and meet other requirements. U nonimmigrant status is valid for 4 years and can be extended in limited circumstances; recipients are also eligible for employment authorization. U nonimmigrants may be able to adjust their status and become lawful permanent residents (obtain a Green Card) if they qualify. Certain family members may also be eligible for U nonimmigrant status.

Victims of the following qualifying criminal ativities* may be eligible for U nonimmigrant status:

• Abusive Sexual Contact
• Being Held Hostage
• Domestic Violence
• False Imprisonment
• Felonious Assault
• Female Genital Mutilation
• Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting
• Involuntary Servitude
• Manslaughter
• Obstruction of Justice
• Prostitution
• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Exploitation
• Slave Trade
• Trafficking
• Unlawful Criminal Restraint
• Witness Tampering
• Other Related Crimes†

* Also includes attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the above and other related crimes. † Includes any similar activity where the elements of the crime are substantially similar.

To petition for U nonimmigrant status, the victim must file Form I-918. The victim must also submit, with their petition, a certification (Form I-918, Supplement B) signed by a certifying agency official confirming that the victim was helpful, is being helpful, or will likely be helpful in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of the case, and they meet other eligibility requirements. Certifying officials should be aware that signing a certification does not grant immigration protections — only USCIS has the authority to grant or deny a U visa petition.

Visit uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-of-criminal-activity-u-nonimmigrant-status for more information.

Noncitizen victims must:

• Be a victim of qualifying criminal activity that occurred in the United States or violated U.S. law;
• Have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of the qualifying criminal activity;
• Possess credible and reliable information about the qualifying criminal activity;
• Be, have been, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement, prosecution, judges, or other certifying officials in the detection, investigation, and prosecution of that qualifying criminal activity; and
• Be admissible to the United States or qualify for a waiver.

T Nonimmigrant Status

T nonimmigrant status (also known as a T visa) provides temporary immigration protection to victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons (also known as human trafficking) who assist law enforcement agencies in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of this crime. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. It can happen in any community and victims can be of any age, race, gender, or nationality.

To apply for T nonimmigrant status, applicants must file Form I-914. Applicants must be physically present in the United States on account of the trafficking. T nonimmigrant status is valid for 4 years and can be extended in limited circumstances; recipients are also eligible for employment authorization.

T nonimmigrants may be able to adjust their status and become lawful permanent residents (obtain a Green Card) if they qualify. Certain family members may also be eligible for T nonimmigrant status.

Visit uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-of-human-trafficking-t-nonimmigrant-status for more information.

Labor trafficking (forced labor) is the exploitation of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.

Sex trafficking is the exploitation of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act by the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Anyone under the age of 18 who is induced into commercial sex is a victim of sex trafficking under U.S. law, regardless of whether there is force, fraud, or coercion.

Continued Presence is a temporary immigration designation provided to individuals identified by law enforcement as victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons who may be potential witnesses. The Continued Presence Resource Guide for law enforcement agencies and civil attorneys is available at:  ice.gov/ContinuedPresenceResourceGuide .

• Be a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons;
• Be physically present in the United States on account of the trafficking;
• Comply with any reasonable requests for assistance from a law enforcement agency or other certifying official in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of the crime (or qualify for an exemption due to age or an exception due to trauma suffered);
• Suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed from the United States; and

Visit the “Humanitarian” section of the USCIS website at uscis.gov/humanitarian .

To report suspected human trafficking to Federal law enforcement, contact the HSI tip line at  866-347-2423 (866-DHS-2-ICE) .

To contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline, call  888-373-7888 .

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Watch CBS News

A young Chicago mother shot to death. How the system failed her.

By Marissa Perlman , Michele Youngerman

Updated on: May 20, 2024 / 10:24 PM CDT / CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Maria Roque was just 34 years old when she was shot and killed on the steps outside her West Side Chicago home, in front of her 8-year-old daughter. 

Her daughter and her 14-year-old son both witnessed Roque take her last breath.

In the weeks before she was killed, Roque repeatedly took all steps domestic violence victims are told to take. She got a protection order against her former boyfriend,  Kenneth Brown . She also repeatedly went to the Chicago Police Department for help. She filed one police report after another and never gave up.

But the system failed her. 

Those who loved Roque hope her legacy will be one of change to keep domestic violence victims alive.

One of Roque's close friends, Adriana Valdez, tried to help.

"It wasn't once, it wasn't twice, it was multiple times Roque went screaming for help with actual evidence," Valdez said about Roque filing numerous police reports.

Roque had photos, threatening text messages, and video. She filed her first police report on Halloween 2023 - saying she was thrown to the ground and pinned down with a foot on her chest. 

Then, on Nov. 8, Roque filed another one because her car tire was slashed. On Nov. 11 and 12, Roque reported repeated harassing calls and texts. Then, on Nov. 13, she reported a rock thrown through her front window.

What did the police do? They closed one case and suspended all the rest - meaning the cases were kept open but were not being investigated.

Maria Roque's twin brother, Andres Roque, saw her struggle to get any help from the police.

"Police don't do much. They just say it is what it is," said Andres Roque. "What do we have police for, then?"

Andres Roque had his own run-in with Brown. They fought after he said he was defending his sister from Brown. Andres says his glasses were broken, and his phone was taken. A police report was filed, but no action was taken.

"I always told her don't let anybody hurt you. She started to open up more and tell me things," said Andres Roque. "She's like, 'I need to get out from here. I deserve better,' and I told her, you do."

Then, on Roque's birthday, Nov. 24, her car was set on fire. She had the video that showed a person by her vehicle, the fire starting, and then the person calmly walking away.

For Maria Roque, this was more than just a car—it was a memory she made with her brother years before. The twins bought twin cars.

Documents show police had the video, but they also ended up suspending this case.

"She knew that this man was definitely capable of much more than damage to material things," said Valdez.

Roque filed three more police reports on Nov. 28, Nov. 30, and Dec. 8. These were for harassing calls and texts.

Two cases were suspended, and one just stayed open. In all the complaints, there was no mention of police questioning Brown—not once. There was no contact, and there were no arrests. That's important when looking at what failed. 

Roque had a protection order. Valdez, another domestic violence survivor, made sure to take Roque to get one.

"I know how scary it can be. Let's do it so you don't feel alone," said Valdez.

She helped Roque navigate the system.  The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County's office offers guidance on getting protection orders  and has a help center. 

Domestic Violence Survivor Center (8.5 x 11 in) by Adam Harrington on Scribd

In Roque's case, the protective order should have given her a chance to have her abuser arrested after every violation. But there were problems. First, it wasn't served, then it wasn't enforced.

The Cook County Sheriff's Department had to serve Brown. That's what it's called. To successfully serve, the Sheriff's Department had to give Brown court papers in person. Only then could he be arrested for any protection order violations.  

The Sheriff's Office said it tried to serve him twice with no luck.

The process is complicated. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office provided information on how to navigate the system and phone numbers for places to get help.

DV Folder and Assertion-Notice of Rights by Adam Harrington on Scribd

We showed Benna Crawford, managing director at Legal Aid Chicago, all of Roque's police reports. The nonprofit represents hundreds of domestic violence survivors every year and has provided resources.  

"This is a crime that is taken less seriously," said Benna Crawford. "Maria's case, and so many cases like it, demonstrate all of the different points where there was opportunity to do that intervention—and that opportunity was missed."

On Nov. 28, Brown was served the protection order and related court papers. Roque went back to the police that same day with a new harassing text and repeated calls. 

Police should have arrested him for violating the protection order. But they didn't.

Crawford said this sent a message to Roque: "That she was going to have to do everything on her own."

Police did the bare minimum required by law. They kept telling Roque that she could try to get an arrest warrant herself from the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.

"I'm not aware of any other type of case or crime that one could be the victim of where the burden could be shifted to the victim to go out and do the investigation, and put together the evidence, and go to the state's attorney and convince the state's attorney's office that they should press criminal charges," said Crawford. "That is typically a police function."

According to the state's attorney's office, only domestic violence victims can get their own warrants. It gives victims another avenue to get their abusers arrested. Roque was told six times she could do this herself.

"Just so heavy a burden to bear, and one that probably shouldn't have been hers," said Crawford.

"The last thing she told me in a text message, he told her, 'Oh, I have a gun for you,'" said Andres Roque.

Maria Roque's family wants what happened to her known—her final minutes after fighting so long; what happened when the system failed her. 

On Dec. 13, Roque left early in the morning to take her daughter to daycare before going to work. She buckled her daughter in their vehicle and then walked back toward her home.       

Home surveillance video shows that from across the street, a man quickly ran up behind her. She screamed at him about her daughter in the car. The little girl could see everything.

But that didn't stop the man. Neighbors' cameras caught the gunfire and a man running away. Maria's son rushed outside and attempted to perform CPR on his mother. Maria was taken to an area hospital, where she died.

Two weeks later, Brown turned himself in to the police. He's the father of the little girl who was in the car during the shooting. 

Brown has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

"She said she saw her dad kill her mom and how my nephew did CPR," said Andres Roque. "She's having nightmares."

Something Roque's children should know is that she never gave up. On Dec. 12, one day before the shooting, instead of going to the police, Roque went straight to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. She was able to get an arrest warrant for Brown that same day.

Roque was finally so close to stopping Brown. But this help came too late. She was shot and killed just hours later.

"There needs to be a meaningful response early on to interrupt that before we get to the point where we get to a homicide," said Crawford.

"That was the fear we had every single day," said Valdez. "That something happened to Maria, that it was this man."

Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline: 877-863-6338

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

CBS2 visited Maria's home with Andres Roque a few months after she was killed. Everything is still as she left it. Still propped up on her bed, Maria's vision board and how she saw her future.

"She wanted this year to be a new chapter, and it was too soon she was gone," said Andres Roque. "Now I feel empty. She was part of my life that was supposed to be forever."

The lives of Maria Roque's children also changed forever. Her daughter moved in with a family member, and her son is out of state with his dad.

Maria Roque is one of about 28,000 people who got protection orders in the last year in Cook County alone. It's important to know that only Chicago residents can take police report numbers directly to the state's attorney to get a warrant. Prosecutors can only access records from that department.

Here is information for Chicago residents from the Cook County State's Attorney:

"Chicago Residents: If the offender was not arrested and you want the case reviewed for criminal charges:

Chicago residents can take their police report to the Domestic Violence Courthouse located at 555 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607 to have the case reviewed for criminal charges. The State's Attorney's office reviews cases during business days Monday-Friday 8:30-1:30 pm."

Chicago Police Department officials would not explain the failures in this case. They sent this statement:

"The Chicago Police Department extends our condolences to Maria Roque's family as they grieve her tragic loss. Domestic violence is a serious crime, and our members work with professionalism to support the victims and all those affected by the trauma of domestic violence. We are also working with our City of Chicago and Cook County partners to strengthen our coordination and the resources available to those experiencing domestic violence."

If you are in a domestic violence situation or know someone who is, The Network , an advocacy group for domestic violence victims, put together a toolkit on how to create a safety plan.

Domestic Violence and Firearm Safety Planning Toolkit 1 by Adam Harrington on Scribd

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Information for UK nationals affected by domestic abuse in France

This guide provides advice on what the British Embassy can do to help UK nationals affected by domestic abuse in France, the services available in France, how to report abuse to the police and how to get protection.

Recognising domestic abuse

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexuality or background. Women are more likely than men to experience multiple incidents of abuse, different types of domestic abuse (intimate partner violence, sexual assault and stalking) and in particular sexual violence.

The UK government’s definition of domestic abuse is:

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or above who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional, controlling and coercive behaviour.

The French government’s definition of domestic abuse is:

Any act of physical or psychological violence, including sexual violence, threats, coercion, controlling, domination and arbitrary limitation of freedom.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by a partner, an ex-partner or family member, it is important to remember that it is not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help.

First steps

You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to seek help; there are resources available to support you (see below). It is important to tell someone what you are going through, so that you are not alone.

If you’re worried someone might be checking your internet history and see you have visited this page, please see this information from Women’s Aid .

It is your choice about what you do next, but this information may help you identify the options available and enable you to make an informed decision on what is right for you.

The most important thing is to make sure that you are safe. If you are in immediate danger and feel your life is at risk, call the police on 17 or send an SMS to 114 with your exact address.

For free confidential advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the following government women’s helpline is available in France: 3919. This is the national domestic abuse and sexual violence support line with interpretation available in English.

You can also:

• contact your tour operator if you are traveling with one
• contact the  British Embassy in Paris  on 01 44 51 31 00 or your nearest consulate. We can provide you with information on local police and medical procedures. Anything you tell us will be in confidence. If you want us to, we can contact your family and friends for you.
• if you have been affected by rape or sexual assault, refer to our guide for survivors of rape and sexual assault in France

The British Embassy can:

• help you to contact your health insurance company and your family
• help you to make arrangements to travel back to the UK
• provide you with information on local support in the UK
• provide you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities ,  lawyers  and  translators in France

If you need medical treatment

If you have been injured, you can seek medical treatment at the nearest hospital or clinic. Check our list of medical facilities in France , you can ask to speak to a female doctor at the hospital.

You may wish to take someone with you for support.

If you want to report an incident to the police

If you live in a large city or town, you can make an official report of an incident to your local police.

If you do not live in a large city or town, you can make an official report of an incident to your local Gendarmerie. 

French judicial procedures fall under the responsibility of the Public Prosecutor (Procureur de la République). You should be aware that a Public Prosecutor can decide to pursue a case, even if a victim withdraws his or her allegation and can put restrictions in place that the abuser must respect or face prosecution. 

In all circumstances, you should seek proper legal advice. You can find a list of English-speaking lawyers in France here .

For a comprehensive guide on how to make a complaint, you can go to the Women for Women in France website .

If you do not want to report an incident to the police

A complaint is an important step in seeking justice for what you have experienced. This step may also be required for future applications related to your safety, residence rights, divorce and child custody arrangements. You might want to get evidence together in case you change your mind later .

Protection measures for victims of domestic abuse

Protection order (ordonnance de protection).

A Protection Order safeguards you and prevents your abuser from contacting or coming near you. A Protection Order can also protect your family and can help you obtain custody of your children. If granted, you can obtain a protection order within six days of applying. You can ask the judge to issue a protection order even if you have not filed a complaint with your local police station or Gendarmerie or do not live with your abuser. More information can be found here .

How to request a Protection Order?

A Protection Order is a temporary measure and should not be confused with a court judgement. It should be requested from the Juge des Affaires Familales through your local French court: Protection Order Application Form .

A Protection Order has a short validity period of four months but can be extended.  A lawyer can help you apply for a Protection Order but if you cannot afford a lawyer then you can ask for legal aid or seek assistance from one of the following associations .

Leaving the family home

If you have children, you may wish to seek legal advice before leaving the family home.

Reporting to UK police England and Wales (The Domestic Abuse Act)

In almost all instances, if you want the incident to be investigated, you must report the abuse before you leave France. If, however, you do not want to report it in-country, you may wish to report it to the UK police. You should be aware that while the UK police can record an incident and assist you in reporting the crime to the overseas authority (via Interpol), they cannot insist that the crime is investigated, nor can they conduct investigations abroad. The decision to pursue an investigation rests with the local authorities in France, who may choose to take no action.

Other support organisations in France

Most of the specialist associations dealing with domestic abuse in France have a legal section and will provide free or fee bearing legal advice depending on your income. You may also have the option of applying for legal aid .

Most big cities in France have a ‘Maison de Justice’ where you can obtain initial free legal advice too.

This information has been prepared by UK government officials who are not legally or medically trained. It should therefore never be used as a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. It is intended to help British nationals abroad make their own informed decisions. Neither the UK government nor any official of the Consulate accept liability for any loss or damage which you might suffer as a result of relying on the information supplied.

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Violent struggle ending in woman being stabbed with butchers knife heard in triple-0 calls

A Tasmanian court has heard audio from triple-0 calls, documenting the moment an ex-butcher broke into his home and attacked his wife with a knife, before neighbours intervened after hearing the victim's screams.

Warning: This article contains details of an attack that readers may find distressing

The accused, who was 51 at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to one count of committing an unlawful act intended to cause grievous bodily harm, as well as one count of assault — which relates to a prior incident — where the man punched the woman in the head.

He appeared in the Supreme Court in Hobart on Tuesday, his head bowed while the crown read the facts of the case.

Crown prosecutor Mick Allen told the court that on April 8, 2020, just over a week after the woman was punched, the accused arrived at the couple's east coast home drunk and agitated.

The court heard he walked over to his wife, who was sitting with their dog, picked up the dog and threw it outside the house.

After the man then caused damage to the house and yard, Mr Allen said the woman told him she would call the police.

The man threatened to kill her, telling her, "you know how this ends".

The court heard the woman ran inside and shut the door and called triple-0 for the first time.

Woman heard screaming 'let me go'

During the recording, played to the court, the woman could be heard telling the operator "my husband's drunk and he's just gone clean off".

She told them he was outside the house, trying to get back in.

"We'll get someone on the way for you," the operator could be heard saying.

Mr Allen told the court the man then attempted to break through the front door with a "block buster".

When that failed, he attempted to do the same to the laundry door.

A second triple-0 call was played to the court.

During the recording, the woman can be heard crying and screaming as she tells the operator where she is located.

A thumping noise can be heard in the background.

"He's trying to break the door down," she tells the operator.

Soon after, she is heard screaming, "let me go".

Mr Allen told the court that upon entering the home, the man dragged the woman by the hair to the kitchen and pushed her against the bench, taking a butcher's knife and driving it into her abdomen, causing a cut 4—5 centimetres deep.

Neighbours then arrived after hearing the woman's screams, and restrained the man until police arrived.

Drinking and aggression became more frequent

The court heard the two incidents at the centre of the charges were not isolated, and that there had been repeated but infrequent instances of drinking and aggression towards the woman.

Mr Allen said those incidents had become more frequent in the lead-up to his offending, while the man was unemployed.

The court later heard his unemployment was due to the pandemic.

"By the time [the incident] occurred she was already the victim of family violence," Mr Allen said.

Mr Allen argued the offending was a "determined effort to instil fear in the complainant" and that the man had "shown very little in the way of remorse".

Judge Helen Wood remarked that the case highlighted the vulnerability of victims of domestic violence in regional areas.

She said that had it not been for the intervention of neighbours, the result could have been much worse.

"What must have been in her mind is 'how is this going to end?'," Justice Wood said.

The man's defence lawyer, April Vandermeer, said his drinking had escalated to an unacceptable level while he was unemployed, and that he was intoxicated when the incidents occurred.

"He instructs he feels better for leaving alcohol behind him," Ms Vandermeer said.

"He reflects that alcohol really has been the catalyst for both of the offences before the court today."

She said he also suffered severe anxiety, which he was being treated for.

The man was remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance in June.

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Original research article, risk factors of african swine fever in domestic pigs of the samara region, russian federation.

• 1 Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Branch in Samara, Samara, Russia
• 2 Federal Center for Animal Health (FGBI ARRIAH), Vladimir, Russia
• 3 Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Branch in Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
• 4 Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Pokrov, Russia

African swine fever (ASF) is an incurable viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. A large-scale spread of ASF began in Eurasia in 2007 and has affected territories from Belgium to the Far East, occurring as both local- and regional-level epidemics. In 2020, a massive ASF epidemic emerged in the southeastern region of European Russia in the Samara Oblast and included 41 outbreaks of ASF in domestic pigs and 40 cases in wild boar. The Samara Oblast is characterized by a relatively low density of wild boar (0.04–0.05 head/km 2 ) and domestic pigs (1.1–1.3 head/km 2 ), with a high prevalence of small-scale productions (household farms). This study aims to understand the driving forces of the disease and perform a risk assessment for this region using complex epidemiological analyses. The socioeconomic and environmental factors of the ASF outbreak were explored using Generalized Linear Logistic Regression, where ASF infection status of the Samara Oblast districts was treated as a response variable. Presence of the virus in a district was found to be most significantly ( p < 0.05) associated with the importation of live pigs from ASF-affected regions of Russia (OR = 371.52; 95% CI: 1.58–87290.57), less significantly ( p < 0.1) associated with the density of smallholder farms (OR = 2.94; 0.82–10.59), volume of pork products' importation from ASF-affected regions of Russia (OR = 1.01; 1.00–1.02), summary pig population (OR = 1.01; 0.99–1.02), and insignificantly ( p > 0.1) associated with presence of a common border with an ASF-affected region (OR = 89.2; 0.07–11208.64). No associations were found with the densities of pig and wild boar populations. The colocation analysis revealed no significant concentration of outbreaks in domestic pigs near cases in wild boar or vice versa. These results suggest that outbreaks notified in low biosecurity household farms were mainly associated with the transportation and trade of pigs and pork products from ASF-affected regions of Russia. The findings underline the importance of taking into account animal transportation data while conducting future studies to develop a risk map for the region and the rest of European Russia.

Introduction

African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most dangerous transboundary diseases of domestic and wild suids and is characterized by high lethality and serious socio-economic consequences due to the lack of a vaccine ( 1 ). The largest epidemic of ASF in the history of Eurasia caused by a highly virulent virus of the II p72 genotype began 15 years ago in South Caucasus and since then has spread without the involvement of natural hosts or biological vectors. The pandemic has spread to Middle Eastern countries, North Caucasus, East and West Europe, the Russian Far East, China, and southeastern Asian and Oceanian countries.

The spread of ASF in Eurasia has continued since 2007, resulting in local and large-scale epidemics in domestic pig and wild boar populations. ASF has gradually and continuously spread throughout the southern regions of the Russian Federation and has sporadically jumped to regions distant from ASF-affected zones. In 2011, the number of ASF notifications increased significantly in the central regions of the European part of Russia. In 2017, sporadic cases of ASF were reported in the Asian part of Russia, and in 2019, ASF became endemic in the Russian Far East ( Figure 1A ).

Figure 1 . The epidemiological overview of African swine fever (ASF) in the Russian Federation in 2007–2020 (A) . The ASF outbreaks in the Samara Oblast in 2020 and revealed spatial-temporal cluster of outbreaks (B) .

Throughout the Russian Federation, the majority of ASF outbreaks were registered in domestic pigs. As of the end of 2020, 1,074 outbreaks in domestic pigs and 737 cases in wild boar were reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). A similar pattern was observed in Eastern Europe and Asian countries, especially in countries in which small pig productions are more common than commercial pig farms.

The ASF virus (ASFV) is spread and maintained outside Africa in the absence of the classic sylvatic cycle without (or with limited) participation of pig-associated Ornithodoros tick species involving wild boar and domestic pigs as reservoirs of virus ( 2 ). For this reason, the epidemiology of ASF outside Africa is complex and varies depending on the availability and type of factors of transmission and the epidemiological reservoirs. Circulation of the virus in Eurasia is maintained via the domestic cycle (when the virus circulates in domestic pigs and pig-derived products) and the wild boar-habitat cycle (when the virus circulates in wildlife without the involvement of ticks). These cycles are not isolated and can overlap, allowing the virus to survive for a long time and spread over long distances ( 3 ). The circulation of the virus in the domestic pig sector involves human activity and biosecurity, as it occurs within pig farms. The tendency for ASF to become endemic is common in countries with small-scale pig production units with inadequate biosecurity ( 4 ).

The functioning of the cycles of the virus, their interactions, and the establishment of endemicity are dependent on several factors such as the biological properties of both the virus and host and abiotic factors (including environmental and natural conditions and social and economic circumstances). According to previous investigations of ASF epidemics in the Russian Federation, susceptible animals typically become infected after contact with infected animals or contaminated fomites, feed, vehicles, or clothing ( 5 ). A matched case-control study conducted in Romania revealed that in addition to proximity to outbreaks in domestic farms, the abundance of wild boar and a short distance between the farm and infected wild boar were significant risk factors for the spread of ASF in commercial and small-scale pig farms ( 6 ).

Studying the features of an epidemic and ASF epidemiology in a specific region may improve the understanding of its driving forces, risk factors, and transmission routes, especially when the virus is present in both domestic and wild boar populations. Often, epidemiological investigations do not provide information regarding the exact source and risk factors of introduction of virus and whether the domestic pigs or the wild boar plays the primary role in sustaining and spreading of the ASFV. A better understanding of these factors will help provide an effective solution for the prevention and eradication of ASF.

The Samara Oblast is a region where the virus has rapidly spread within a year affecting large areas, and caused at least 41 outbreaks in domestic pigs and 40 cases in wild boar, which accounted for nearly one-third of all ASF outbreaks in the Russian Federation during 2020 ( Figure 1B ). Therefore, this region can be used as a model to investigate the role of various epidemic drivers shaping the observed disease spread. In this study, for the first time we use the national surveillance data on animal movements among other potential risk factors, to explain the observed pattern of ASF outbreaks' distribution in domestic pigs and to provide a basis for the further development of an ASF risk model at both national and regional level.

Materials and Methods

The Samara Oblast, a region located in southeast European Russia bordering Kazakhstan in the south, is one of 59 ASF affected regions of the Russian Federation.

The average human population density in the region is ~60 people/km 2 . The human population is concentrated around the administrative center and significantly decreased in the peripheral districts. The Samara Oblast has an advantageous economic-geographical location, as two international transport corridors (North-South and West-East) intersect in this region. The central part of the region and large cities have the highest density of roads. The main agricultural areas are situated in the periphery of the region.

Second-level administrative units termed districts ( n = 37) were used as spatial units for the assessment of the epidemiological parameters and potential risk factors in this study. Two large cities were excluded as they were statistical outliers for human population density and have no pig husbandry areas. Four districts that have no pig population according to official statistics were also excluded. Therefore, the spatial analysis included 31 districts of the Samara Oblast.

River networks are poorly developed in the southern areas of the Samara Oblast. The main waterbody is the Volga River, which delimits the western part of the region. Forests cover 14% (760,000 ha) of the Samara Oblast, including 25–40% of the central part of the region, 3% of the southern part of the region, and 14% of the northern part of the region. There are 217 wildlife nature reserves and national parks in the region where wild boar hunting is prohibited. Sown areas, reserves, and wildlife parks have lakes and rivers that provide a good habitat for wild boar. At the beginning of 2020, the estimated total number of wild boar in the Samara Oblast was 2,345, and the northern and central parts of the region had the highest densities of wild boar (0.78–1.31 ind. per 1,000 hectares). The areas of the Samara Oblast border the Saratov and Ulyanovsk Oblasts, which were already affected by ASF in 2019.

Domestic Pig Sector Characteristics

The agricultural sector of the Samara Oblast is focused mainly on crop production. Most of the meat produced in the region is poultry (60%), while pork accounts for 24% of the meat produced in the region ( 7 ). The density of the pig population is relatively low in this region, with most pigs kept in small-scale farms. At the end of 2019, the total number of ASF-susceptible animals was 187,185 pigs, including 84,075 heads in small-scale farms (backyards, for self-consumption), 9,954 in non-specialized commercial farms (from 3 to 3,695 pigs per holding), and 56,342 in large-scale specialized commercial pig farms. In August 2020, the total number of pigs was ~192,000.

A significant proportion of the domestic pigs in this region were contained in holdings with a low level of biosecurity, where restrictive and safety measures were implemented only in emergency situations. At the end of 2020, only 32 pig husbandries had official biosecurity statuses. Overall, 68.75% of households were unprotected, 6.25% had low-level biosecurity, 12.5% had average levels of biosecurity, and 12.5% had high levels of biosecurity.

This study used ASF outbreaks data notified by the Russian Federation to OIE ( 8 ). According to these data, 41 outbreaks occurred in domestic pigs and 40 cases registered in wild boar in the Samara Oblast in February—December 2020. The exact geographical coordinates, disease start date, and numbers of susceptible and infected animals were reported for each outbreak.

Explanatory Factors

Human and pig population data were acquired from the Federal Service of Governmental statistics ( 9 ). Data regarding wild boar population were obtained from the Department of Hunting and Fishing ( 10 ). Data regarding settlements and smallholder farm distribution were acquired from the official registry of supervised objects and compartments ( 11 ). Data regarding the legal movements of pigs and pork products between the Samara Oblast and the regions of Russia that were affected by ASF in 2019 and 2020 were acquired from “Mercury” database—the state information system of Rosselkhoznadzor ( 12 ). This system is designed to trace cargo that is monitored by state veterinary services. Data regarding road networks were acquired from the official website of the Samara Oblast Government ( 13 ). Data regarding forest areas were extracted from the raster dataset generated from Earth remote sensing system Proba-V from 2000 to 2018 with an original spatial resolution of 100 × 100 m ( 14 ).

Table 1 includes the geospatial variables used for the analyses. Supplementary Figures 1 – 14 (see Supplementary Material ) present the distribution maps of these variables in the Samara Oblast. To avoid multicollinearity, all variables in this study were previously tested using the Spearman rank correlation test. The further modeling used only variables with correlation levels |r s | ≤ 0.7.

Table 1 . Geospatial variables.

Descriptive Spatial Analysis

To explore the potential relationship between the ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs and wild boar, we used colocation analysis, a geographic information system (GIS) technique ( 15 – 17 ). This technique measures local patterns of spatial association between two categories of point features using colocation quotient statistics. In this study, the local colocation quotient (LCQ) expressed the local proportion of wild boar ASF cases' locations within a defined neighborhood of domestic pig outbreaks' locations. The analyzed locations were then randomly permuted within the entire study area to estimate whether the observed distribution differs from a random distribution and to calculate the p -value of the pattern (9,999 permutations were used in our study to achieve the minimum p -value of 0.0002). If the local proportion was higher than the global proportion, the LCQ was > 1. As the colocation analysis is not symmetric, the relationships between domestic pig and wild boar outbreaks and wild boar and domestic pig outbreaks were both explored. Neighborhoods for the LCQ calculations were defined as a circle with a radius equal to the mean neighboring distance for the set of ASF outbreaks, calculated using the Average Nearest Neighbor GIS tool. The colocation was analyzed using a time window accounting of 14 days (i) and 45 days (ii) before and after the analyzed outbreaks to add epidemiological meaning to the relationship between ASF outbreaks. Those time periods correspond to an average and maximum duration of infectious period in domestic swine and wild boar as reported elsewhere ( 18 , 19 ). It was assumed that ASF outbreaks may be epidemiologically related (for example, an outbreak in domestic pigs might be associated with an infected wild boar from a close neighborhood or a wild boar outbreak might be associated with contaminated waste or the improper disposal of domestic pigs' carcasses). Except for the local colocation quotient, a global colocation was also evaluated (GCQ), which expresses a measure of spatial association between both categories of locations across the entire study area.

Regression Analysis

To identify the ≪susceptibility≫ of districts to ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs, a Generalized Linear Logistic Regression (GLLR) analysis was used ( 20 , 21 ), where the presence or absence of ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs was considered as a response variable. Several socioeconomic and environmental explanatory variables were used in this analysis, as listed in Table 1 . To remove redundant variables, a preliminary analysis for Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) was conducted for the model using a threshold VIF of 5, so that all variables with VIF > 5 were excluded from further modeling.

The model was fitted using stepwise exclusion of the insignificant variables to achieve lowest Akaike information criterion (AIC) value with stepAIC procedure in R programming environment. The significance of variables was evaluated using the Student's t -test. The goodness of the logistic regression model fit was evaluated using the proportion of the explained variation in the response variable, and joint Wald statistics, which evaluate the efficacy of independent variables based on a null hypothesis assuming their inefficacy. A Hosmer–Lemeshow test was applied to evaluate an overall goodness of the model's fit by indicating of whether the differences between the expected and observed proportions are significant. The spatial distribution of both response variable and model residuals was evaluated using Moran's I spatial autocorrelation test, which demonstrates compliance of the observed spatial distribution of the analyzed variable to a hypothetical random distribution (null hypothesis). Values of Moran's I coefficient close to zero corresponding to low z-scores with p > 0.05 indicate normality of the studied distribution. A presence of spatial autocorrelation in both response variable and residuals would indicate an unexplained clustering of studied phenomenon non adjusted by explanatory variables.

Space-Time Cluster Analysis

A space-time cluster analysis was conducted using Kulldorff scan statistics ( 22 ), which allows for the identification of clusters in the studied area, where disease events (outbreaks) were grouped more densely than could be expected according to the null hypothesis assuming their random distribution. The analysis uses a cylindric moving scan window, where the vertical dimension represents time. A space-time permutations model used in our analysis only evaluates the presence of space-time clustering of the studied features regardless of any background denominator scores (such as population density etc.). The maximum scanning window sizes were chosen as 50% of the size of the study area and 50% of the study period.

Cleansing, validation, and preliminary evaluation of the data were conducted with Microsoft Office Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, U.S.). Preliminary VIF analysis and model fitting were conducted in R programming environment ( 23 ) with MASS ( 24 ), car ( 25 ), and plyr ( 26 ) packages. Data were converted into shapefiles for analysis and visualization using GIS-technologies. The spatial and regression analyses were performed using the geographical informational systems ArcGIS Desktop version 10.8.1 and ArcGIS Pro version 2.7 (Esri, Redlands, California, U.S.). SaTScan software ( 27 ) was used for the cluster analysis.

Descriptive Epidemiological Analysis

The first cases of ASF in the Samara Oblast were reported in the middle of January 2020 in the area bordering the already affected Ulyanovsk Oblast. Despite all disease control measures, the risk of further spreading of the ASF virus in neighboring regions was high. In the Samara Oblast, 41 outbreaks of ASF in domestic pigs and 40 cases in wild boar were reported in 2020 ( Figure 1B ). Ninety-five percent of the ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs occurred on smallholder farms with the number of susceptible animals ranging from 1 to 140 (median: 16 pigs). The average morbidity rate in these farms was 0.72 ± 0.34, with a mortality rate of 0.57 ± 0.38. The total mortality rate was 0.56 ± 0.38. Outbreaks on two large industrial pig farms with 38,960 and 3,391 susceptible animals resulted in 404 and 538 infected animals, respectively. In wild boar, the incidence ranged from 1 to 30 infected animals, with a median of two.

ASF outbreaks were more frequent during the summer months (July and August) ( Figure 2 ). ASF cases in wild boar were reported from January to March and from June to December, with a peak in July and August. ASF infections in domestic pigs were reported from June to October, with a peak in August.

Figure 2 . Temporal distribution of African swine fever cases in domestic pigs and wild boar in the Samara Oblast in 2020.

Spatial and Space-Time Analysis

Results of colocation analysis are presented in Table 2 . Overall, no evidence of significant global colocation between ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs and wild boar were revealed. At both time windows analyzed, outbreaks in domestic pigs were found to be globally insignificantly collocated with cases in wild boar, while the reverse relationships were found to be insignificantly isolated. No cases in wild boar were found to be significantly concentrated near outbreaks in domestic pigs, neither isolated ( Figure 3 , left). Similarly, no significant clustering of outbreaks in domestic pigs around cases in wild boar were identified. One and two cases in wild boar (4 and 8%, respectively) were significantly collocated with outbreaks in domestic pigs at 14 and 45 days periods respectively, while one case in wild boar was significantly isolated at 45 days period ( Figure 3 , right).

Table 2 . Colocation analysis results * .

Figure 3 . Results of the colocation analysis of African swine fever (ASF) cases in wild boar (WB) near outbreaks in domestic pigs (DP) (left). Colocation of outbreaks in DP near cases in WB (right). Top maps indicate the results for the analysis time span of 14 days, while bottom maps indicated the results for 45-days' time span.

The preliminary data analysis revealed significant correlations between the population density and road density ( r s = 0.88), and the human population density and proportion of rural population ( r s = −0.74). Therefore, population density was excluded from the regression analysis. Further calculation of VIF for the model left the following predictors with VIF ≤ 5 ( Table 1 ):

a. wild boar density,

b. summary pig population,

c. pig population density,

d. smallholder farms density,

e. summary road length,

f. volume of pork products' importation from ASF-affected regions of Russia,

g. importation of live pigs from ASF-affected regions of Russia,

h. presence of a common border with an ASF-affected region.

The final GLLR model includes: importation of live pigs from ASF-affected regions of Russia as the most significant variable ( p < 0.05), volume of pork products' importation from ASF-affected regions of Russia, density of smallholder farms and total pig population of the district as less significant factors ( p < 0.1), while presence of common border with ASF-affected region was found to be insignificantly associated with ASF infection status of the district ( p > 0.1). This model had the lowest AIC, statistically significant Wald test ( p < 0.0001), and acceptable share of explained variation of 0.67. A Hosmer-Lemeshow test returned χ 2 = 6.11 with p = 0.63, thus suggesting an overall model significance. The distribution of the predicted probability of having ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs is shown in Figure 4 (left). Table 3 presents the regression metrics for the model. The test for spatial autocorrelation of the response variable returned a Moran's I index of −0.02 that corresponds to z-score of 0.06, p =0.94. For the model residuals, Moran's I index was estimated as −0.13, z-score = −0.73, p = 0.46. Hence, no spatial autocorrelation was found in response variable, neither in residuals ( Figure 4 , right). This suggest no spatial dependencies existed in the data distribution that would not be unexplained by the model.

Figure 4 . Predicted probability of having an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in domestic pigs (DP) in the Samara oblast (left), and the distribution of deviance residuals (right).

Table 3 . Logistic regression metrics.

The only statistically significant ( p < 0.001) cluster of ASF outbreaks was identified in the southern part of the region (including the Neftegorsky, Krasnoarmeysky, Bolsheglushitsky, and Volzhsky districts) ( Figure 1B ). Four outbreaks of ASF were reported from September 18 to October 8 in this area with a radius of 40 km. The first outbreak involved domestic pigs while the rest of cases were in wild boar.

This study presents an epidemiological analysis of ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs and wild boar in the Samara Oblast using spatial and colocation analyses. A regression model was used to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic factors on the occurrence of ASF in domestic pigs. Despite the fact that the supposed dependent variable (number of ASF outbreaks notified in domestic pigs) represents count data, its distribution was zero-inflated with comparatively low variation (var = 4), and the number of outbreaks may have been underreported due to attempts by householders to disguise ASF cases in their farms ( 28 – 31 ). Therefore, a logistic model that interprets the dependent variable as the presence or absence of outbreaks was used.

No evidence of significant spatio-temporal associations between outbreaks in domestic pigs and those in wild boar were identified in this study. These results do not allow us to accept a hypothesis of direct epidemiological correlation between nearby outbreaks in wild boar and domestic pigs, and suggest that in this epidemic a close contact between susceptible wild and domestic pigs could hardly play a predominant role in ASF transmission. A similar conclusion is supported by the fact that there was no tendency revealed for ASF outbreaks to cluster in a major part of the region, though the results of colocation and spatio-temporal cluster analyses may be influenced by the underestimation of the number of cases in wild boar due to underreporting. However, an overlap between the dynamics of ASF outbreaks in wild and domestic suids was observed ( Figure 2 ). This overlap demonstrates the indirect influence of the populations on one another. ASF cases in wild boar can be related to the end of hunting seasons and breeding periods. The prevalence of outbreaks in domestic populations is likely related to human activities (agricultural activities, trade, and economic relations) and human visits to wild boar habitats and feeding grounds (such as mushroom gathering or berry picking). Though, the results of spatio-temporal analysis should be interpreted carefully because they are subject of reporting accuracy, while underreporting of cases in wild boar may be assumed. Thus, it is believed that as maximum as 10 percent of wild boar carcasses are normally found ( 32 ).

The main factors related to the occurrence of ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs identified in this study include the transportation of pigs and pork products from previously infected regions, summary pig population, density of smallholder farms, and sharing borders with ASF-affected regions. These results are consistent with previous studies of risk factors for livestock infections in smallholder farms and studies regarding factors contributing to intraregional infection transmission. The introduction of ASFV via the shipment of pigs was found to be the most significant risk factor for ASF transmission in other studies ( 33 , 34 ). Sharing a border with a previously-infected region increases the risk of infection during the local movement of people and domestic pigs and the migration of wild boar ( 35 ), though it was found to be statistically insignificant in our study. The summary pig population and density of smallholder farms were also identified as significant factors associated with the ASF presence in a district providing an indication of a local pig farming system density that promotes between-holdings contacts and facilitates the ASF transmission ( 36 , 37 ).

The results of this study indicate that human-mediated activities, and the intensity of smallholder pig operations may be the main driving force of the ASF epidemic in the Samara Oblast independent of the density of wild boar. More studies are required to identify additional risk factors and to clarify a mutual influence of wild boar and domestic pigs populations in order to develop a risk map as a basis of a prognostic model of ASF spread in regions of the Russian Federation and other countries with high proportion of rural inhabitants that are currently free from ASF. A colocation analysis presents an interesting GIS technique that enables studying the space-time relationships between ASF cases in domestic and wild pigs, and provides further opportunities for deeper understanding of observed epidemiological patterns of the disease local spread.

This study is limited by the incomplete assessment of factors associated with a lack of statistical data. For example, the contribution of the illegal sale and movement of pigs and pork products to the spread of ASF cannot be assessed. Data regarding movements between districts within the Samara Oblast are also missing.

In conclusion, this study identifies the spatio-temporal patterns and epidemiological associations of ASF outbreaks in the Samara Region of the Russian Federation in 2020. No obvious associations between outbreaks in domestic pigs and wild boar were identified. ASF-infected districts were associated with the transportation of live pigs from ASF-affected regions of Russia, suggesting socioeconomic links as the main factor of disease spread within the region. The results clearly underline the importance of considering animal transportation data as an explanatory factor in further modeling efforts.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/ Supplementary Material , further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Author Contributions

AGl, DL, and AGo: conceptualization. FK, OZ, AB, and AGo: methodology. AGl, FK, DL, and OZ: formal analysis. TS, AB, and AGo: validation. AGl, FK, DL, and AK: data curation. FK, AGl, DL, and TS: writing-original draft preparation. FK, TS, OZ, AB, and AGo: writing-review and editing. AGl and DL: visualization. AB and AGo: project administration. All authors have read and agree to the published version of the manuscript.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology for government assignments.

Supplementary Material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.723375/full#supplementary-material

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Keywords: African swine fever, Russian Federation, Samara region, logistic regression, low-biosecurity farms, colocation analysis, animal movement

Citation: Glazunova AA, Korennoy FI, Sevskikh TA, Lunina DA, Zakharova OI, Blokhin AA, Karaulov AK and Gogin AE (2021) Risk Factors of African Swine Fever in Domestic Pigs of the Samara Region, Russian Federation. Front. Vet. Sci. 8:723375. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.723375

Received: 10 June 2021; Accepted: 02 August 2021; Published: 24 August 2021.

Reviewed by:

Copyright © 2021 Glazunova, Korennoy, Sevskikh, Lunina, Zakharova, Blokhin, Karaulov and Gogin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Anastasia A. Glazunova, timon883@outlook.com

This article is part of the Research Topic

African Swine Fever in Smallholder and Traditional Pig Farming Systems: Research, Challenges and Solutions