persuasive speech topics on domestic violence

153 Domestic Violence Topics & Essay Examples

A domestic violence essay can deal with society, gender, family, and youth. To help you decide which aspect to research, our team provided this list of 153 topics .

📑 Aspects to Cover in a Domestic Violence Essay

🏆 best domestic violence titles & essay examples, ⭐ interesting domestic violence topics for an essay, 🎓 good research topics about domestic violence, ❓ research questions on domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a significant problem and one of the acute topics of today’s society. It affects people of all genders and sexualities.

Domestic violence involves many types of abuse, including sexual and emotional one. Essays on domestic violence can enhance students’ awareness of the issue and its causes. Our tips will be useful for those wanting to write outstanding domestic violence essays.

Start with choosing a topic for your paper. Here are some examples of domestic violence essay titles:

• Causes of domestic violence and the ways to eliminate them
• The consequences of domestic violence
• The importance of public domestic violence speech
• Ways to reduce domestic violence
• The prevalence of domestic violence in the United States (or other countries)
• The link between domestic violence and mental health problems among children

Now that you have selected one of the titles for your essay, you can start working on the paper. We have prepared some tips on the aspects you should cover in your work:

• Start with researching the issue you have selected. Analyze its causes, consequences, and effects. Remember that you should include some of the findings in the paper using in-text citations.
• Develop a domestic violence essay outline. The structure of your paper will depend on the problem you have selected. In general, there should be an introductory and a concluding paragraph, as well as three (or more) body paragraphs. Hint: Keep in mind the purpose of your essay while developing its structure.
• Present your domestic violence essay thesis clearly. The last sentence of your introductory paragraph should be the thesis statement. Here are some examples of a thesis statement:

Domestic violence has a crucial impact on children’s mental health. / Domestic violence affects women more than men.

• Present a definition of domestic violence. What actions does the term involve? Include several possible perspectives on domestic violence.
• Discuss the victims of domestic violence and the impact it has on them too. Provide statistical data, if possible.
• Help your audience to understand the issue better by discussing the consequences of domestic violence, even if it is not the primary purpose of your paper. The essay should show why it is necessary to eliminate this problem.
• You can include some relevant quotes on domestic violence to make your arguments more persuasive. Remember to use citations from relevant sources only. Such sources include peer-reviewed articles and scholarly publications. If you are not sure whether you can use a piece of literature, consult your professor to avoid possible mistakes.
• Support your claims with evidence. Ask your professor in advance about the sources you can use in your paper. Avoid utilizing Wikipedia, as this website is not reliable.
• Stick to a formal language. Although you may want to criticize domestic violence, do not use offensive terms. Your paper should look professional.
• Pay attention to the type of paper you should write. If it is an argumentative essay, discuss opposing views on domestic violence and prove that they are unreliable.
• Remember that you should include a domestic violence essay conclusion in your paper too. This section of the paper should present your main ideas and findings. Remember not to present any new information or citations in the concluding paragraph.

There are some free samples we have prepared for you, too. Check them out!

• Domestic Violence and Conflict Theory in Society The Conflict Theory explains remarkable events in history and the changing patterns of race and gender relations and also emphasizes the struggles to explain the impact of technological development on society and the changes to […]
• Domestic Violence against Women Domestic violence against women refers to “any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, and mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts as […]
• Domestic Violence Ethical Dilemmas in Criminal Justice Various ethical issues such as the code of silence, the mental status of the offender, and limited evidence play a vital role in challenging the discretion of police officers in arresting the DV perpetrators.
• Domestic Violence and Repeat Victimisation Theory Domestic violence is a crime which often happens because of a bad relationship between a man and woman and usually continues to be repeated until one of the parties leaves the relationship; hence victims of […]
• Ambivalence on Part of the Police in Response to Domestic Violence The police have been accused of ambivalence by their dismissive attitudes and through sexism and empathy towards perpetrators of violence against women.
• Break the Silence: Domestic Violence Case The campaign in question aimed to instruct victims of domestic violence on how to cope with the problem and where to address to get assistance.
• Behind Closed Doors: Domestic Violence The term “domestic violence” is used to denote the physical or emotional abuse that occurs in the homes. Therefore, it has contributed to the spread of domestic violence in the country.
• Domestic Violence: Qualitative & Quantitative Research This research seeks to determine the impacts of domestic violence orders in reducing the escalating cases of family brutality in most households. N1: There is a significant relationship between domestic violence orders and the occurrence […]
• Victimology and Domestic Violence In this situation there are many victims; Anne is a victim of domestic violence and the children are also victims of the same as well as the tragic death of their father.
• Theories of Domestic Violence It is important to point out that women have received the short end of the stick in regards to domestic violence. A third reason why people commit domestic violence according to the Family Violence Theory […]
• Domestic Violence in Australia: Policy Issue In this paper, DV in Australia will be regarded as a problem that requires policy decision-making, and the related terminology and theory will be used to gain insights into the reasons for the persistence of […]
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence In addition, NCADV hopes to make the public know that the symbol of the purple ribbon represents the mission of the organization, which is to bring peace to all American households.
• Community and Domestic Violence: Elder Abuse In addition, the fact the elderly people cannot defend themselves because of the physical frailty that they encounter, they will experience most of the elderly abuse.
• Violence against Women: Domestic, National, and Global Rape as a weapon for the enemy Majority of cultures in war zones still accept and regard rape to be a weapon of war that an enemy should be punished with.
• Domestic Violence: Reason, Forms and Measures 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.
• Effects of Domestic Violence on Children’s Social and Emotional Development In the case of wife-husband violence, always, one parent will be the offender and the other one the victim; in an ideal situation, a child needs the love of a both parents. When brought up […]
• Affordable, Effective Legal Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence Legal assistance significantly increases the chances for domestic abuse victims to obtain restraining orders, divorce, and custody of their children. Helping victims of domestic violence with inexpensive legal aid is a critical step in assisting […]
• Domestic Violence: Far-Right Conspiracy Theory in Australia’s Culture Wars The phenomenon of violence is directly related to the violation of human rights and requires legal punishment for the perpetrators and support for the victims.
• Domestic Violence and Black Women’s Experiences Overall, the story’s exploration of the reality of life for an African American married woman in a patriarchal society, and the challenges faced by black women, is relevant to the broader reality of domestic violence […]
• Domestic Violence: Criminal Justice In addition, the usage of illegal substances such as bhang, cocaine, and other drugs contributes to the increasing DV in society.
• Witnessed Domestic Violence and Juvenile Detention Research The primary purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between witnessed domestic violence and juvenile detention. Research has pointed to a relationship between witnessed violence and juvenile delinquency, and this study holds that […]
• Domestic Violence Against Women in Melbourne Thus, it is possible to introduce the hypothesis that unemployment and related financial struggles determined by pandemic restrictions lead to increased rates of domestic violence against women in Melbourne.
• Intersectionality in Domestic Violence Another way an organization that serves racial minorities may address the unique needs of domestic violence victims is to offer additional educational and consultancy activities for women of color.
• Healthcare Testing of a Domestic Violence Victim Accordingly, the negative aspects of this exam include difficulties in identifying and predicting the further outcome of events and the course of side effects.
• Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, or Elder Abuse In every health facility, a nurse who notices the signs of abuse and domestic violence must report them to the relevant authorities.
• Educational Services for Children in Domestic Violence Shelters In order to meet the objectives of the research, Chanmugam et al.needed to reach out to the representatives of emergency domestic violence shelters located in the state of Texas well-aware of the shelters’ and schools’ […]
• The Domestic Violence Arrest Laws According to the National Institute of Justice, mandatory arrest laws are the most prevalent in US states, indicating a widespread agreement on their effectiveness.
• Environmental Scan for Hart City Domestic Violence Resource Center In particular, it identifies the target population, outlines the key resources, and provides an overview of data sources for assessing key factors and trends that may affect the Resource Center in the future.
• Domestic Violence Investigation Procedure If they claim guilty, the case is proceeded to the hearing to estimate the sentencing based on the defendant’s criminal record and the scope of assault. The issue of domestic abuse in households is terrifyingly […]
• Educational Group Session on Domestic Violence This will be the first counseling activity where the counselor assists the women to appreciate the concepts of domestic violence and the ways of identifying the various kinds of violence.
• What Causes Domestic Violence? Domestic abuse, which is also known as domestic violence, is a dominance of one family member over another or the other. As a result, the probability of them becoming abusers later in life is considerably […]
• Domestic Violence and COVID-19: Literature Review The “stay safe, stay at home” mantra used by the governments and public health organizations was the opposite of safety for the victims of domestic violence.
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Domestic Violence in the US Anurudran et al.argue that the new measures taken to fight COVID-19 infections heightened the risk of domestic abuse. The pandemic paradox: The consequences of COVID 19 on domestic violence.
• Rachel Louise Snyder’s Research on Domestic Violence Language and framing play a significant role in manipulating people’s understanding of domestic violence and the nature of the problem. However, it is challenging to gather precise data on the affected people and keep track […]
• Domestic Violence Restraining Orders: Renewals and Legal Recourse Since upon the expiry of a restraining order, a victim can file a renewal petition the current task is to determine whether the original DVRO of our client has expired, the burden of obtaining a […]
• Annotated Bibliography on Domestic Violence Against Women They evaluate 134 studies from various countries that provide enough evidence of the prevalence of domestic violence against women and the adverse effects the vice has had for a decade.
• Alcoholism, Domestic Violence and Drug Abuse Kaur and Ajinkya researched to investigate the “psychological impact of adult alcoholism on spouses and children”. The work of Kaur and Ajinkya, reveals a link between chronic alcoholism and emotional problems on the spouse and […]
• Domestic Violence Counselling Program Evaluation The evaluation will be based upon the mission of the program and the objectives it states for the participants. The counselors arrange treatment for both sides of the conflict: the victims and offenders, and special […]
• Sociological Imagination: Domestic Violence and Suicide Risk Hence, considering these facts, it is necessary to put the notion of suicide risk in perspective when related to the issue of domestic violence.
• The Roles of Domestic Violence Advocates Domestic conflict advocates assist victims in getting the help needed to cope and move forward. Moreover, these advocates help the survivors in communicating to employers, family members, and lawyers.
• Domestic Violence: The Impact of Law Enforcement Home Visits As the study concludes, despite the increase in general awareness concerning domestic violence cases, it is still a significant threat to the victims and their children.
• Domestic Violence: How Is It Adressed? At this stage, when the family members of the battered women do this to them, it becomes the responsibility of the people to do something about this.
• Domestic Violence Factors Among Police Officers The objective of this research is to establish the level of domestic violence among police officers and relative the behavior to stress, divorce, police subculture, and child mistreatment.
• “The Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment” by Sherman and Berk The experiment conducted by the authors throws light on the three stages of the research circle. This is one of the arguments that can be advanced.
• Domestic Violence and Drug-Related Offenders in Australia The article is very informative since outlines a couple of the reasons behind the rampant increase in cases of negligence and lack of concern, especially from the government.
• An Investigation on Domestic Violence This particular experiment aimed to evaluate the nature of relationship and the magnitude of domestic violence meted on either of the partners.
• Educational Program on Domestic Violence The reason why I have chosen this as the topic for my educational program is that victims of domestic violence often feel that they do not have any rights and hence are compelled to live […]
• Supporting Female Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse: NGO Establishment The presence of such a model continues to transform lives and make it easier for more women to support and provide basic education to their children.
• Family and Domestic Violence: Enhancing Protective Factors Current partner Previous partner Percentage of children When children are exposed to violence, they encounter numerous difficulties in their various levels of development.
• Domestic Violence in Women’s Experiences Worldwide Despite the fact the author of the article discusses a controversial problem of domestic violence against women based on the data from recent researches and focusing on such causes for violence as the problematic economic […]
• Parenting in Battered Women: The Effects of Domestic Violence In this study, ‘Parenting in Battered Women: The Effects of Domestic Violence on Women and their Children,’ Alytia A. It is commendable that at this stage in stating the problem the journalists seek to conclude […]
• Domestic Violence Types and Causes This is acknowledged by the law in most countries of the world as one of the most brutal symbols of inequality.
• Alcohol and Domestic Violence in Day-To-Day Social Life My paper will have a comprehensive literature review that will seek to analyze the above topic in order to assist the reader understand the alcohol contributions in the domestic and social violence in our society.
• Power and Control: Domestic Violence in America The abusive spouse wants to feel powerful and in control of the family so he, usually the abusive spouse is the man, beats his wife and children to assert his superiority.
• Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Purpose of the study: The safety promoting behavior of the abused women is to be increased using a telephone intervention. They were allocated to either of the groups by virtue of the week of enrolment […]
• Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence: Comprehensive Discussion Substance abuse refers to the misuse of a drug or any other chemical resulting in its dependence, leading to harmful mental and physical effects to the individual and the wellbeing of the society.
• Environmental Trends and Conditions: Domestic Violence in the Workplace Despite the fact that on average the literacy rate and the rate of civilization in the world have been increasing in the past few decades, the statistics for domestic violence have been increasing on an […]
• Domestic Violence in the Organizations Despite the fact that on average the literacy rate and the rate of civilization in the world has been increasing in the past few decades, the statistics for domestic violence have been increasing on an […]
• Domestic Violence and Honor Killing Analysis Justice and gender equality are important aspects of the totality of mankind that measure social and economic development in the world. The cultural justification is to maintain the dignity and seniority framework of the family.
• Facts About Domestic Violence All aspects of the society – which starts from the smallest unit, that is the family, to the church and even to the government sectors are all keen on finding solutions on how to eliminate, […]
• Domestic Violence in Marriage and Family While there are enormous reports of intimate partner homicides, murders, rapes, and assaults, it is important to note that victims of all this violence find it very difficult to explain the matter and incidents to […]
• One-Group Posttest-Only Design in the Context of Domestic Violence Problem This application must unveil the risks and their solutions by researching the variables and the threats to the validity of the research.
• Domestic Violence as a Social Issue It is one of the main factors which stimulate the study’s conduction, and among the rest, one can also mention the number of unexplored violence questions yet to be answered.
• Reflections on Domestic Violence in the Case of Dr. Mile Crawford Nevertheless, the only way out of this situation is to escape and seek help from the legal system. From a personal standpoint, to help her would be the right thing to do.
• Gender Studies: Combating Domestic Violence The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed description of domestic violence, as well as the development of an action plan that can help in this situation.
• Domestic Violence Funding and Impact on Society The number of domestic violence cases in the US, both reported and unreported, is significant. The recent decision of Trump’s administration to reduce the expenses for domestic violence victims from $480,000,000 to $40,000,000 in the […]
• Campaign against Domestic Violence: Program Plan In addition, men who used to witness aggressive behavior at home or in the family as children, or learned about it from stories, are two times more disposed to practice violence against their partners than […]
• Domestic Violence and Bullying in Schools It also states the major variables related to bullying in schools. They will confirm that social-economic status, gender, and race can contribute to bullying in schools.
• Domestic Violence Within the US Military In most of the recorded domestic violence cases, females are mostly the victims of the dispute while the males are the aggressors of the violence.
• Reporting Decisions in Child Maltreatment: A Mixed Methodology Approach The present research aims to address both the general population and social workers to examine the overall attitudes to the reporting of child maltreatment.
• Domestic Violence in Australia: Budget Allocation and Victim Support On the other hand, the allocation of financial resources with the focus on awareness campaigns has also led to a lack of financial support for centres that provide the frontline services to victims of domestic […]
• Domestic Violence and Social Interventions In conclusion, social learning theory supports the idea that children have a high likelihood of learning and simulating domestic violence through experiences at home.
• Domestic Violence and Child’s Brain Development The video “First Impressions: Exposure to Violence and a Child’s Developing Brain” answers some questions of the dependence of exposure to domestic violence and the development of brain structures of children. At the beginning of […]
• Local Domestic Violence Victim Resources in Kent The focus of this paper is to document the local domestic violence victim resources found within a community in Kent County, Delaware, and also to discuss the importance of these resources to the community.
• The Impact of Domestic Violence Laws: Social Norms and Legal Consequences I also suppose that some of these people may start lifting their voices against the law, paying particular attention to the idea that it is theoretically allowable that the law can punish people for other […]
• Domestic Violence Abuse: Laws in Maryland The Peace and Protective Orders-Burden of Proof regulation in Maryland and the Violence against Women Act are some of the laws that have been created to deal with domestic violence.
• Nondiscriminatory Education Against Domestic Violence The recent event that prompted the proposed advocacy is the criticism of a banner that depicts a man as the victim of abuse.
• Domestic Violence in International Criminal Justice The United Nations organization is deeply concerned with the high level of violence experienced by women in the family, the number of women killed, and the latency of sexual violence.
• Project Reset and the Domestic Violence Court The majority of the decisions in courts are aimed to mitigate the effects of the strict criminal justice system of the United States.
• Same-Sex Domestic Violence Problem Domestic violence in gay or lesbian relationships is a serious matter since the rates of domestic violence in such relationships are almost equivalent to domestic violence in heterosexual relationships. There are a number of misconceptions […]
• Domestic, Dating and Sexual Violence Dating violence is the sexual or physical violence in a relationship which includes verbal and emotional violence. The rate of sexual violence in other nations like Japan and Ethiopia, range from 15 to 71 percent.
• Anger Management Counseling and Treatment of Domestic Violence by the Capital Area Michigan Works These aspects include: the problem that the program intends to solve, the results produced by the program, the activities of the program, and the resources that are used to achieve the overall goal.
• Understanding Women’s Responses to Domestic Violence The author’s research orientation is a mix of interpretive, positivism and critical science – interpretive in informing social workers or practitioners on how to enhance their effectiveness as they deal with cases related to violence […]
• Poverty and Domestic Violence It is based on this that in the next section, I have utilized my educational experience in order to create a method to address the issue of domestic violence from the perspective of a social […]
• Evaluation of the Partnership Against Domestic Violence According to the official mission statement of the organization, PADV is aimed at improving the overall wellbeing of families all over the world and helping those that suffer from domestic violence The organization’s primary goal […]
• Cross-Cultural Aspects of Domestic Violence This is one of the limitations that should be taken account. This is one of the problems that should not be overlooked.
• Domestic Violence in the Lives of Women She gives particular focus on the social and traditional aspects of the community that heavily contribute to the eruption and sustenance of violence against women in households. In the part 1 of the book, Renzetti […]
• Financial Planning and Management for Domestic Violence Victims Acquisition of resources used in criminal justice require financial resources hence the need to manage the same so as to provide the best machines and equipments.
• Effects of Domestic Violence on Children Development In cases where children are exposed to such violence, then they become emotionally troubled: In the above, case them the dependent variable is children emotions while the independent variable is domestic violence: Emotions = f […]
• Evaluation of Anger Management Counseling and Treatment of Domestic Violence by the Capital Area Michigan Works These aspects include: the problem that the program intends to solve, the results produced by the program, the activities of the program, and the resources that are used to achieve the overall goal.
• Knowledge and Attitudes of Nurses Regarding Domestic Violence and Their Effect on the Identification of Battered Women In conducting this research, the authors sought the consent of the prospective participants where the purpose of the study was explained to participants and confidentiality of information to be collected was reassured.
• Domestic Violence Dangers Mount With Economic, Seasonal Pressures These variables are believed to be able to prompt the family to explore the experiences and meanings of stress and stress management.
• Impact of the Economic Status on Domestic Violence This article investigates the possible factors that may help in explaining the status of women who are homeless and their capacity to experience domestic violence.
• Dominance and “Power Plays” in Relationships to Assist Clients to Leave Domestic Violence According to psychologists, the problem of domestic violence is based on the fact that one partner needs to be in control of the other.
• Social Marketing Campaign on Domestic Violence In this marketing campaign strategy the focus would be centered on violence against women, as a form of domestic violence that is currently experience in many countries across the globe.
• Art Therapy With Women Who Have Suffered Domestic Violence One of the most significant benefits of art therapy is the fact the patients get to understand and interpret their own situations which puts them in a better position to creatively participate in own healing […]
• Collaborative Crisis Intervention at a Domestic Violence Shelter The first visit is meant to collect the information that the professional in domestic violence deem crucial concerning the precipitating incidence and history of violence.
• Domestic Violence Exposure in Colombian Adolescents In this topic, the authors intend to discover the extent of association of drug abuse to domestic violence exposure, violent and prosocial behavior among adolescents.
• Domestic Violence and Social Initiatives in Solving the Problem The absence of the correct social programs at schools and the lack of desire of government and police to pay more attention to the prevention of the problem while it is not too late are […]
• Domestic Violence in the African American Community Previous research has suggested this due to the many causes and effects that are experienced by the members and especially the male members of the African American community.
• Domestic Violence: Predicting and Solutions There are several factors which predict the state of domestic violence in the future and this will help in preventing domestic violence.
• Domestic Violence: Signs of Abuse and Abusive Relationships The unprecedented rejuvenation of such a vile act, prompted the formation of factions within society, that are sensitive to the plight of women, and fight for the cognizance of their rights in society.
• Domestic Violence against South Asian Women Again, this strategy is premised on the idea that domestic violence can be explained by the financial dependence of women in these communities.
• The Effects of Domestic Violence According to statistics and research provided in the handout, women are at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence.
• Effect of Domestic Violence on Children This is done with the aim of ensuring that the child is disciplined and is meant as a legitimate punishment. Most of our children have been neglected and this has contributed to the increase in […]
• Domestic Violence and Elderly Abuse- A Policy Statement Though this figure has been changing with the change in the method of survey that was conducted and the nature of samples that were taken during the research process, it is widely accepted fact that […]
• Domestic Violence as a Social and Public Health Problem The article, authored by Lisa Simpson Strange, discusses the extent of domestic violence especially in women and the dangers it exposes the victims to, insisting that severe actions should be taken against those who commit […]
• Guilty until Proven Otherwise: Domestic Violence Cases The presumption of the guilt of a man in domestic violence cases is further proven by the decision of the court in which the man is required to post a bond despite the fact that […]
• Community and Domestic Violence; Gang Violence Solitude, peer pressure, need to belong, esteem, and the excitement of the odds of arrest entice adolescents to join these youth gangs.
• Fighting Domestic Violence in Pocatello, Idaho Having realized the need to involve the family unit in dealing with this vice, Walmart has organized a sensitization program that will involve the education of whole family to increase awareness on the issue. The […]
• What Is the Purpose of Studying Domestic Violence?
• What Does Theory Explain Domestic Violence?
• What Is the Difference Between IPV and Domestic Violence?
• What Age Group Does Domestic Violence Affect Most?
• When Domestic Violence Becomes the Norm?
• How Are Domestic Violence Problems Solved in American and Other Cultures?
• What Are the 3 Phases in the Domestic Violence Cycle?
• How Can Domestic Violence Be Explained?
• How Many Deaths Are Caused by Domestic Violence?
• When Was Domestic Violence First Defined?
• How Is a Domestic Violence Prevention?
• How Race, Class, and Gender Influences Domestic Violence?
• Why Do Victims of Abuse Sometimes Stay Silent?
• How Does Domestic Violence Affect the Brain?
• Is Mental Illness Often Associated With Domestic Violence?
• How Does Domestic Violence Affect a Person Emotionally?
• How Does Domestic Violence Affect Children’s Cognitive Development?
• Why Should Employers Pay Attention to Domestic Violence?
• What Are the Causes of Domestic Violence?
• What Country Has the Highest Rate of Domestic Violence?
• How Does Domestic Violence Affect the Lives of Its Victims?
• What Are the Possible Causes and Signs of Domestic Violence?
• How Does Socioeconomic Status Affect Domestic Violence?
• How Does the Australian Criminal Justice System Respond to Domestic Violence?
• How Does Culture Affect Domestic Violence in the UK?
• What Is the Psychology of an Abuser?
• What Is Police Doing About Domestic Violence?
• How Does the Government Define Domestic Violence?
• What Profession Has the Highest Rate of Domestic Violence?
• What Percent of Domestic Violence Is Alcohol-Related?
• Family Relationships Research Ideas
• Alcohol Abuse Paper Topics
• Drug Abuse Research Topics
• Child Welfare Essay Ideas
• Childhood Essay Topics
• Sexual Abuse Essay Titles
• Divorce Research Ideas
• Gender Stereotypes Essay Titles
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 26). 153 Domestic Violence Topics & Essay Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/domestic-violence-essay-examples/

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IvyPanda . 2024. "153 Domestic Violence Topics & Essay Examples." February 26, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/domestic-violence-essay-examples/.

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100 Domestic Violence Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects individuals and families across the globe. Whether it is physical, emotional, psychological, or financial abuse, the impact of domestic violence can be devastating and long-lasting. As a result, it is essential for society to address this issue head-on and work towards creating a safer and more equitable world for all.

If you are tasked with writing an essay on domestic violence, you may find yourself struggling to come up with a compelling topic. To help you get started, here are 100 domestic violence essay topic ideas and examples:

The impact of domestic violence on children's mental health

The role of law enforcement in addressing domestic violence

Cultural factors that contribute to domestic violence

The link between substance abuse and domestic violence

The prevalence of domestic violence in LGBTQ+ relationships

The long-term effects of domestic violence on survivors

How domestic violence affects workplace productivity

The role of social media in perpetuating domestic violence

The intersection of race and domestic violence

How to support a friend or family member experiencing domestic violence

The importance of trauma-informed care for domestic violence survivors

The impact of domestic violence on economic stability

The role of education in preventing domestic violence

How religious beliefs can influence attitudes towards domestic violence

The portrayal of domestic violence in popular media

The effectiveness of restraining orders in preventing domestic violence

The connection between childhood trauma and future domestic violence perpetration

The role of bystanders in preventing domestic violence

The challenges faced by male victims of domestic violence

The impact of domestic violence on healthcare systems

The role of shelters and support services in assisting domestic violence survivors

The prevalence of domestic violence in rural communities

The impact of domestic violence on immigrant populations

How domestic violence affects pregnancy and childbirth

The role of technology in perpetuating domestic violence

The impact of domestic violence on the LGBTQ+ community

The role of schools in preventing domestic violence

The connection between domestic violence and animal abuse

The impact of domestic violence on the mental health of survivors

The effectiveness of therapy in treating survivors of domestic violence

The role of social support in helping survivors of domestic violence

The connection between poverty and domestic violence

The impact of domestic violence on the workplace

The role of substance abuse in domestic violence perpetration

The importance of bystander intervention in preventing domestic violence

The impact of domestic violence on children's academic performance

The connection between domestic violence and homelessness

The role of the legal system in addressing domestic violence

The impact of domestic violence on intimate partner relationships

The connection between childhood trauma and future domestic violence victimization

The effectiveness of counseling in treating survivors of domestic violence

The role of faith-based organizations in preventing domestic violence

The connection between domestic violence and mental health disorders

The role of the media in shaping attitudes towards domestic violence

The impact of domestic violence on the criminal justice system

The connection between domestic violence and human trafficking

The role of technology in helping survivors of domestic violence

The effectiveness of prevention programs in reducing domestic violence

The impact of domestic violence on children's emotional development

The connection between domestic violence and child abuse

The role of healthcare providers in identifying and treating survivors of domestic violence

The impact of domestic violence on the economic well-being of survivors

The connection between domestic violence and self-harm

The role of advocacy organizations in supporting survivors of domestic violence

The effectiveness of mandatory reporting laws in preventing domestic violence

The connection between domestic violence and substance abuse

The role of family dynamics in perpetuating domestic violence

The impact of domestic violence on the mental health of perpetrators

The connection between domestic violence and child custody disputes

The role of peer support in helping survivors of domestic violence

The effectiveness of community-based interventions in preventing domestic violence

The impact of domestic violence on the healthcare system

The connection between domestic violence and reproductive health

The role of employers in supporting employees experiencing domestic violence

The connection between domestic violence and sexual assault

The role of technology in documenting and reporting domestic violence

The effectiveness of restorative justice approaches in addressing domestic violence

The connection between domestic violence and stalking

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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 — Physical Abuse — Persuasive Speech On Domestic Violence

Persuasive Speech on Domestic Violence

• Categories: Domestic Violence Physical Abuse

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Published: Aug 1, 2024

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Definition of domestic violence, prevalence of domestic violence, consequences of domestic violence, solutions and action.

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Great Argumentative Essay Topics On Domestic Violence with Prompts

One of the most difficult parts of writing an argumentative essay is coming up with a topic and a thesis statement . Here’s a comprehensive list of Argumentative Essay Topics On Domestic Violence with Prompts.

Argumentative Essay Topics On Domestic Violence with Prompts

• The consequences of domestic violence. Essay Prompt: Some people consider domestic violence a common thing in a household. What can it lead to? Give examples and suggest solutions.
• Should domestic violence be taken seriously? Essay Prompt: Is domestic violence a common thing or a serious problem, which needs an immediate solution? Should women endure it?
• Officer-Involved Domestic Violence, Essay Prompt: The number of officer-related domestic violence has been on the rise, which causes concern about the safety of the family members of police officers. The main reason domestic violence has been on the rise is the stressful work environment that police officers go through.
• Theoretical Explanations for Domestic Violence Social Research Paper Essay Prompt: Domestic violence is one of the major societal problems experienced around the world. According to Guerin and Ortolan (2017), domestic violence encompasses aspects such as bullying, intimidation, and in extreme cases, murder perpetrated by an individual within a domestic setting.

As you continue,  thestudycorp.com  has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is  place an order  with us

You can also check out 150+ Top-Notch Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

• How Does Domestic Violence Influence Children’s Education? Essay Prompt: Domestic violence and education: examining the impact of domestic violence on young children, children, and young people and the potential role of schools. Frontiers in psychology. This article explores the adverse effects of domestic violence on children and the role of schools.
• Types of domestic violence. Essay Prompt: Point out the ways women can be violated. What are the most dangerous ones? What are their consequences?
• Domestic violence: a personal matter or an open problem? Essay Prompt: In this essay, discuss whether domestic violence should be kept in secret or brought out to publicity. Give your reasons.
• Domestic violence: who is to blame? Essay Prompt: If a husband beats up his wife, is he a brute or does she really deserve it? Give your reasons.
• Why women bear it. Essay Prompt: Try to find an answer to the question: why do women endure violence? Is it the absence of self-respect or the power of love? Give your reasons.
• Domestic violence as the echo of the past. Essay Prompt: In the past, violence against women was acceptable and nowadays some men keep to such a stereotype. Is it reasonable to keep this “noble” tradition or should it become a thing of the past?

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Domestic violence argument topics

• How to protect yourself from domestic violence? Essay Prompt: In this essay, you should make a research and point out ways to protect yourself from domestic tyranny. You may consult legislative documents.
• I’m a victim: what to do? Essay Prompt: If one becomes a victim of domestic tyranny, what measures should be taken? How to punish the offender? Give examples.
• Social services protecting victims of domestic violence. Essay Prompt: What are the social services protecting victims of violence? What are their functions? Do they really help?
• How to recognize a despot. Essay Prompt: If husband has lifted his hand against wife once, he is sure to do it again and again. How can a tyrant be recognized and avoided? Offer your variants.
• Punishment for offender. Essay Prompt: Consult special literature and comment how justice can punish a person blamed in domestic violence.
• To forgive or not to forgive? Essay Prompt: Analyze the cases of domestic violence and decide whether tyranny can be forgiven. Decide whether it is reasonable, to give the offender one more chance. Explain why.
• Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and Rape Violence Effects on Individual or Community Essay Prompt: Discuss your knowledge of the effects these three crimes have on individuals and society as a whole.
• Negative Effects of Domestic Violence on Children Essay Prompt: This essay affirms that domestic violence poses a number of negative effects on children, including social development, brain development, and social behavior. (Domestic violence argument topics)
• Why Domestic Violence Victims Don’t Leave Essay Prompt: There were surprising things in the video; for instance, the domestic violence follows predefined steps when the victim is new in the relationship.
• Domestic Violence And Sociological Perspective Or Sociological Imagination Essay Prompt: Schools as Training Grounds for Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment (Domestic violence argument topics)
• Find out more on  Argumentative Essay Topics About Social Media [Updated]

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It is time for action to end violence against women: a speech by Lakshmi Puri at the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly

Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Speech by Acting Head of UN Women Lakshmi Puri on Ending Violence against Women and Children at the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly on 18 June 2013, in Brussels

Good morning.

Honourable Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Ms. Joyce Laboso (congratulations on this new important role) and Mr. Louis Michel, Honourable Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank you for inviting me to address you at this ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on a matter that concerns all of us, all 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific nations and 27 European Union Member States represented in this forum, and ALL nations of the world.

It is one of the most pervasive violations of human rights in the world, one of the least prosecuted crimes, and one of the greatest threats to lasting peace and development.

I am talking about violence against women and children. I am honoured to be here, at your request, to address this urgent matter as you join together to advance human rights, democracy and the common values of humanity.

We all know that we have to do much more to respond to the cries for justice of women and children who have suffered violence. We have to do much more to end these horrible abuses and the impunity that allows these human rights violations to continue.

When we started UN Women two-and-a-half years ago, we made ending violence against women and girls one of our top priorities.

I think we can all agree that the time for complacency is long gone, has passed and belongs to another era. The silence on violence against women and children has been broken and now. Now is the time for stronger action.

It is time for action when up to 70 per cent of women in some countries face physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.

When one in three girls in developing countries is likely to be married as a child bride; when some 140 million girls and women have suffered female genital mutilation; when millions of women and girls are trafficked in modern-day slavery; and when women’s bodies are a battleground and rape is used as a tactic of war – it is time for action.

This violence against women and children has tremendous costs to communities, nations and societies—for public well-being, health and safety, and for school achievement, productivity, law enforcement, and public programmes and budgets.

If left unaddressed, these human rights violations pose serious consequences for current and future generations and for efforts to ensure peace and security, to reduce poverty and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and the next generation of development goals we are discussing .

The effects of violence can remain with women and children for a lifetime, and can pass from one generation to another. Studies show that children who have witnessed, or been subjected to, violence are more likely to become victims or abusers themselves.

Violence against women and girls is an extreme manifestation of gender inequality and systemic gender-based discrimination. The right of women and children to live free of violence depends on the protection of their human rights and a strong chain of justice.

Countries that enact and enforce laws on violence against women have less gender-based violence. Today 160 countries have laws to address violence against women. However, in too many cases enforcement is lacking.

For an effective response to this violence, different sectors in society must work together.

A rape survivor must have rapid access to a health clinic that can administer emergency medical care, including treatment to prevent HIV and unintended pregnancies and counseling.

A woman who is beaten by her husband must have someplace to go with her children to enjoy safety, sanity and shelter.

A victim of violence must have confidence that when she files a police report, she will receive justice and the perpetrator will be punished.

And an adolescent boy in school who learns about health and sexuality must be taught that coercion, violence and discrimination against girls are unacceptable.

As the Acting Head of UN Women, I have the opportunity to meet with representatives from around the world, with government officials, civil society groups and members of the business community.

I can tell you that momentum is gathering, awareness is rising and I truly believe that long-standing indifference to violence against women and children is declining.

A recent study published in the American Sociological Review finds that transformation in attitudes are happening around the world.

The study looked at women’s attitudes about intimate partner violence in 26 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. It found that during the first decade of the 2000s, in almost every one of these countries, women became more likely to reject intimate partner violence.

The surveys found growing female rejection of domestic violence in 23 of the 26 countries. It found that “women with greater access to global cultural scripts through urban living, education, or access to media were more likely to reject intimate partner violence.”

The study’s author concludes that domestic violence is increasingly viewed as unacceptable due to changes in global attitudes. Yet even with this rising rejection, in nearly half of the countries, 12 of the 26 – more than half of women surveyed – still believe that domestic violence is justified. So even though attitudes are changing, we still have a long way to go to achieve the changes in attitudes that are necessary to end violence against women and children.

I witnessed this myself at the 57th Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations Headquarters in New York this past March. The agreement reached at the Commission on preventing and ending violence against women and girls was hard-won and tensions ran high throughout the final week of the session.

There were many times when it was unclear whether the Commission would end in deadlock, as it did 10 years before on the same theme, or if Member States were going to decide on a groundbreaking agreement.

In the end, thanks to the tireless work of civil society advocates and negotiations into the wee hours of Government delegates and UN Women colleagues, agreement was reached on a historic document that embraces the call of women around the world to break the cycle of violence and to protect the rights of women and girls.

The landmark agreement provides an action plan for Governments. It breaks this down into the four P’s: Protection of human rights, Prosecution of offenders, Prevention of violence, and Provision of Services to survivors.

Protecting human rights

When it comes to protecting rights, Governments are called on to review national legislation, practices and customs and abolish those that discriminate against women. Laws, policies and programmes that explicitly prohibit and punish violence must be put into place, in line with international agreements, and you as Members of Parliament can play a key role.

Based on findings from UN Women’s 2011-2012 Progress of the World’s Women report «In Pursuit of Justice », out of all the ACP countries, 37 have legislation against domestic violence, 34 have legislation against sexual harassment, and just nine have legislation against marital rape.

Providing services When it comes to providing services, the agreement calls for strong action to improve the quality and accessibility of services so that women have prompt access to services regardless of their location, race, age or income.

These include: health-care services including post-rape care, emergency contraception and abortion where legal; immediate and effective police responses, psychological support and counselling; legal advice and protection orders; shelter, telephone hotlines, and social assistance.

Responses must be timely and efficient to end a culture of hopelessness and impunity and foster a culture of justice and support. In almost all of the ACP countries comprehensive multisectoral services need to be put in place and made accessible to all.

Prosecuting offenders

When it comes to the prosecution of offenders, we know that ending impunity means that laws must be enforced.

Women must have access to the police to file a criminal report and receive legal advice and protection orders. The response to violence must be immediate, coordinated and effective so that crimes are punished and justice is secured. This is true for times of peace and conflict. There can be no lasting peace when women suffer sexual violence.

Courts and the justice system must be accessible and responsive to criminal and civil matters relating to violence against women. Women must be informed of their legal rights and supported to navigate the legal system.

And for this, we need more women police officers, prosecutors and judges, because we know that women serving on the frontlines of justice strengthen justice for women and children.

Preventing violence against women

When it comes to preventing violence, we must address the root causes of gender inequality and discrimination.

Evidence shows that where the “gender gap” is greater—in the status of women’s health, participation in the economy, education levels, and representation in politics— women are more likely to be subjected to violence. Especially important is economic empowerment as a prevention strategy

This means that we need to take a long-term, systemic and comprehensive approach that recognizes and protects women’s and children’s full and equal human rights.

We must promote a culture of equality between men and women through institutional and legal reform, education, awareness-raising and the full engagement of men and boys.

Honourable MPs,

Ending violence against women is one of UN Women’s key priorities and a critical part of UN Women’s mission to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Having said that, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about UN Women’s role in ending violence against women and some of our achievements.

A top priority right now is working with countries to implement the recent agreement from the Commission on the Status of Women.

I am very pleased that UN Women and the EU have agreed to work on this together. We hope, with your support, to collaborate with more regional and cross-regional bodies and groupings such as the African Union, the Latin American and Caribbean States and the Pacific Forum to follow up on the agreement from the Commission on the Status of Women to end violence against women and girls.

Today UN Women is working in 85 countries, including in many ACP countries, to prevent violence in the first place, to end impunity for these crimes, to increase access to justice and to expand essential services to survivors.

Through our global, regional and national programmes, we support the development of laws, national action plans and policies, and training programmes. We provide funding to NGOs and civil society, contribute to advocacy and awareness-raising efforts, and support local initiatives.

We work together with UNICEF and UN Habitat on the Safe Cities programme to promote the safety of women and girls in public spaces. We now work in over 20 cities around the world, and this number continues to rise. Let me share with you a few exciting examples.

In Kigali, Rwanda, a Safe City Campaign was launched by the mayor’s office and other partners. The city is advocating for reforms to an existing law on gender-based violence to include measures on sexual harassment and violence in public spaces.

In Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, bylaws on local markets now include articles which address women’s safety. Women vendors are returning to the markets following the first phase of physical and social infrastructure improvements, and a focused awareness campaign is underway on sexual harassment and sexual violence.

UN Women also administers the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. This is a leading global fund exclusively dedicated to addressing violence against women and girls. To date, the UN Trust Fund has delivered more than USD 86 million to 351 initiatives in 128 countries and territories, often directly to women’s organizations. The results have demonstrated many good practices that can, and should be, expanded.

Another global programme administered by UN Women is the Secretary-General’s UNiTE Campaign to End Violence against Women. Through strong advocacy, the campaign is mobilizing communities across the globe.

In Africa, the UNiTE Campaign organized the Kilimanjaro Climb hosted by Tanzania under the auspices of the President. This raised awareness of violence against women to the highest levels resulting in strengthened national commitments throughout Africa.

In the Pacific Region, the campaign succeeded in securing the “Pacific Members of Parliament UNiTE statement” – the first of its kind in the region, tabled at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting in the Cook Islands.

In the Caribbean, 15 high-profile local artists produced a series of creative materials as part of the “Caribbean Artists, united to end violence against women” initiative, developed in the framework of the UNiTE Campaign. These materials were officially presented by the Secretary-General of CARICOM, Irwin LaRocque, last year during the gathering of CARICOM Heads of Government. This has contributed to give high visibility and strategically position the issue of violence against women in the region.

And UN Women’s COMMIT initiative has garnered new commitments by 58 Governments to prevent and end violence against women and girls. I applaud the ACP and EU member countries, and the European Union itself, for making commitments and encourage other countries to join them.

We must work together to seize the moment and move quickly so that the momentum is not lost. UN Women stands ready to assist Member States with other UN partners. We have already identified the key priorities and strategies we will be focusing:

First, Getting the Evidence: Data on Violence against Women Despite some progress in this area, there is still an urgent need to strengthen the evidence base as many countries still lack reliable and meaningful data. Actually, earlier this morning the European Women’s Lobby Centre on Violence against Women presented the findings from the 2013 Barometer focusing on rape in the EU.

In cooperation with our UN partners, we plan to build capacity in regions and countries to increase skills in data collection, analysis, dissemination and use, using the UN Statistical Commission Guidelines for obtaining data for the nine core indicators for violence against women.

Second, Strengthening Multi-sectoral Services for Survivors To this end, UN Women is working to devise globally agreed standards and guidelines on the essential services and responses that are required to meet the immediate and mid-term safety, health, and other needs of women and girls subjected to violence. I am very pleased that we are now working in partnership with UNFPA and other UN agencies to deliver this initiative.

Third, Preventing Violence against Women and Girls To this end, we will advocate for and work towards a shared understanding at the global level about what works, and provide guidance to States and other stakeholders on how to develop an holistic framework to prevent violence against women and girls; including by working systematically and consistently with male leaders and men and boys at all levels and by further strengthening women’s economic and political participation.

Fourth, Strengthening Partnerships We will continue to engage civil society and the private sector in ending violence against women and girls, working with survivors to empower them, making sure their experiences are taken into consideration in the development of responses; and working with those women and girls who suffer multiple and intersecting forms of violence who are particularly vulnerable.

Fifth and finally, we will continue to improve the knowledge base for ending violence against women by developing additional modules and updating our virtual knowledge centre.

Honourable Members of Parliament,

I would now like to take a brief moment to discuss the post-2015 development agenda, especially its role in addressing the issue of violence against women. I also had the occasion to deliver a video statement on this in your Women’s Forum which took place past Saturday and which concentrated on the post-2015 framework. I applaud the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly for regularly organizing such a Women’s Forum and strengthening this network.

UN Women is calling for a stand-alone goal on gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment and separately and concurrently gender equality mainstreamed across all goals. This is needed to address the structural foundations of gender-based inequality. To this effect, we are calling for the new framework to tackle three core areas: safety, access and voice, so women can live free of violence, enjoy equal access of opportunities and resources; and exercise their voice in leadership and participation.

In developing the post-2015 agenda and the 11th European Development Fund, we seek your support to ensure a strong focus on gender equality, women’s rights and empowerment and ending violence.

I thank you. All of us at UN Women look forward to strengthened collaboration with you and your countries through this forum to end violence against women and children.

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Let’s end the silence around abuse

In a world where so many are unable to do so, these courageous talks highlight the importance of speaking out against abuse, whether it's emotional, physical, sexual or online.

Why domestic violence victims don't leave

How we turned the tide on domestic violence (Hint: the Polaroid helped)

How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime

How we talk about sexual assault online

How data from a crisis text line is saving lives

Violence against women -- it's a men's issue

How online abuse of women has spiraled out of control

March is Women’s History Month, and in recognition, we are highlighting five powerful speeches on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by women. As we honor the contributions and resilience of women throughout history (for example, did you know that, in addition to fighting for racial justice, Rosa Parks was an advocate for survivors of sexual assault ?), we recognize the urgent need to amplify contemporary voices in addressing these pressing issues. The following talks reflect a mixture of hope, progress, exhaustion and dejection. They include stories of victim-survivors and advocates. All demand societal change for prevention and empathy in support of survivors.

Why domestic violence victims don’t leave

Leslie Morgan Steiner’s talk delves into the complexities of domestic violence. She explores why victims often struggle to leave abusive relationships. Drawing from her own personal experience, Steiner shares insights into the psychological and social dynamics that keep victims trapped in abusive situations. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the fear, shame, and isolation that victim’s face. Her hope is to challenge common misconceptions about why people stay in abusive relationships. Steiner’s talk highlights the need for empathy, support, and resources to empower survivors to break free from domestic violence.

How we turned the tide on domestic violence (Hint: the Polaroid helped)

In her talk, Esta Soler discusses her journey as an advocate for domestic violence prevention. She recounts the pivotal moments and strategies that led to a significant decrease in domestic violence against adult women. She emphasizes the importance of changing societal attitudes and implementing effective policies to prevent domestic violence and support survivors. Soler’s talk highlights the power of collective action and advocacy in creating positive social change.

Me Too is a movement, not a moment

Tarana Burke explores the origins and significance of the Me Too Movement in her Ted Talk. She discusses how the movement began as a grassroots campaign to support survivors of sexual violence, especially women of color. She addresses the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in our society and emphasizes the importance of shifting the conversation from a focus on individual stories to a systemic change.

Burke also candidly discusses the emotional toll of her work. She reflects on the exhaustion and numbness she experienced as she listened to countless stories of trauma and abuse. Throughout the talk, she underscores the need for empathy and support for survivors, but also acknowledges the toll it takes on those who work and stand in solidarity.

How we talk about sexual assault online

Ione Well’s Ted Talk is a powerful exploration of the impact of social media on conversations surrounding sexual assault and harassment. Wells shares her personal experience of being assaulted and how the online response influenced her healing journey. She advocates for more compassionate and responsible discourse online to support survivors and challenge harmful attitudes regarding sexual violence.

The Impact of Sexual Violence

For another powerful exploration of the costs of sexual assault, listen to Chanel Miller read her victim impact statement addressing her perpetrator Brock Turner. The statement was first posted online when Miller was still known only as Emily Doe. Miller has since claimed her identity and written a profound and award-winning memoir about her experiences called  Know My Name.  In each of these pieces, she paints a picture of the harsh realities of survivorship, even when there is a so-called “perfect case” including eyewitnesses and evidence.

__________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know has experienced or is experiencing sexual or domestic violence, call our crisis line (205) 669-7233. Our trained advocates are available to help 24 hours a day.

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Writing About Domestic Violence 25

Since October is Domestic Awareness Month, I want to help bring awareness to this issue while offering ways to write about how violence affects each of us personally.

It’s not a subject we like to think about. And when it happens publicly, as recent viral videos have shown, those of us who have not experienced that kind of violence personally express morbid fascination and outrage. We know that no one — man or woman — should have to endure that kind of treatment, but it’s so ubiquitous we don’t know what to do about it.

Domestic Violence Month grew out of the Day of Unity begun in 1981 as a day intended to connect battered women’s advocates in their efforts to end violence against women and children. In 1989 Congress passed the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation, and it has been observed every October since then.

Here is the first paragraph of the President’s proclamation of this year’s awareness month:

Domestic violence affects every American.  It harms our communities, weakens the foundation of our Nation, and hurts those we love most.  It is an affront to our basic decency and humanity, and it must end.  During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we acknowledge the progress made in reducing these shameful crimes, embrace the basic human right to be free from violence and abuse, and recognize that more work remains until every individual is able to live free from fear.

I think we can all agree with those words. We have made progress since 1989, but we have a long way to go. Here are some recent statistics from a variety of web sources (sources cited at end of post):

• 10% of teenagers are intentionally harmed by someone they are dating. In 2013, that figure included 1.5 million high school students. –
• One woman is beaten by her husband or partner every 15 seconds in the U.S. –
• One in four women experiences domestic violence in her lifetime. –
• It’s not just women. Yes, they represent 85% of the domestic violence victims, but let’s not forget the other 15%. –
• Police are more likely to respond quickly if they think the offender is unknown to the victim. –
• Based on reports from 10 countries, between 55 percent and 95 percent of women who had been physically abused by their partners had never contacted non-governmental organizations, shelters, or the police for help.

Reading these statistics has made me wonder how far we have really progressed. Here in the U.S., we believe we are more aware and less tolerant of this kind of violence, so if these are our statistics, how much worse is it in countries where domestic violence is still considered acceptable?

Below, I offer a few journaling, memoir, and personal essay writing prompts to help you develop your thoughts on this issue. Not all the prompts will apply to everyone, so just use what works for you.

The Writing Prompts

Journaling prompts:.

• Perform a word association exercise  with domestic violence at the center. After you’ve finished the word association, set a timer and freewrite for 10 minutes. –
• How do you feel about having a month every year devoted to awareness of this issue? –
• What experience do you have with domestic violence (include emotional and verbal abuse in your answer)? Write about its impact on your decision-making processes, then and now.

Prompts for memoir and personal essay:

• Write about a time you experienced domestic violence, either as a victim or perpetrator. If you never experienced this personally, write a scene about the first time you heard about domestic violence happening to someone you know. –
• How far have we come in the long journey to end domestic violence around the world? Perform some historical research on this subject and write a summary of your findings. –
• Get on a soapbox: Write a speech about what needs to happen to eliminate domestic violence and what your “listeners” can do today. –
• If you have ever been or are a victim of domestic violence, write a compassionate letter to yourself (to the past or present you) offering advice and wisdom for the future.
• If you have never been a victim of domestic violence, but know of someone who has, use your imagination and write a letter from that person’s perspective about why he or she stayed and what it took (or will take) to get out of the situation.

I realize that even if you have never experienced or know someone who has been embroiled in domestic violence, this is not an easy subject to write about — and it is extremely difficult if you have experienced it. To all who take this subject on: thank you for your courage.

This much I know — writing has the power to heal.

I invite your comments on this topic and on the power of writing.

_______________________________

Sources: Domestic Violence Statistics Organization Domestic Awareness Violence Project The Whitehouse.gov press office website Clark County Prosecuting Attorney

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25 thoughts on “ Writing About Domestic Violence ”

Good article, Amber. I did a word association and one of the words I came up with was a love-hate relationship. I had a couple friends years ago that fought constantly to the point of physical violence. We, their peers, called it a love-hate relationship. Now when I look back on it, that phrase seems a form of denial, a way for us to look the other way when it was really a much more serious issue. I hope young people today are more aware than we were.

Barbara, thank you for sharing this bit of insight. You’re right that using the term “love-hate relationship” was probably a way of normalizing the fighting, a way to shrug one’s shoulders and look the other way. I think there is more awareness today and less tolerance of physical violence within a relationship — at least I hope so.

I have been interested in this issue for many years, both from a personal and professional view. I have written a short play and a short story monolgue about domestic violence from a couple of different perspectives. The play has been performed and the monolugue is due to be performed at the end of September. Thanks for addressing the issue on your website.

Thanks for your comment, Dave. Let us know how the performance goes.

Domestic violence doesn’t always exhibit itself with bruises and blood. It permeates the soul, the self esteem, the “your stupid”, “your dumb”, :you re ugly”. Then, controlling your actions, what you say in front of others, being groomed in how to behave in public, control what you read(i.e, library books of your interest), not wanting you to expand your knowledge by going back to school. Hiding your keys just when your about to go to class or stating they will not care for you child as you are leaving the house with no time to find a sitter. The slapping when you don’t agreed, you no longer have a voice, no communication w/family members, Walking on egg shells, pretending to hit you buy stopping one inch from your face. Beating you up, no longer slapping your face but punching your face and jaw because you went to visit your mother on Mother’s Day. Take a rifle down and loads it so you cannot take your children out of the house. The Alhambra police called by neighbor but they only gave me10 minutes to get clothes for kids. they don’t even take his gun away, No arrest or a question of an arrest, This was in 1980 Alhambra California. Policemen will side with the man……it was humiliating. I was bruised but made to feel like a nothing. I missed 1 week of work because of the bruising, had to use makeup to hide the bruises for a few weeks. This was a professional , a man who would later run for city council of Alhambra (lost). Intelligent, charismatic and in control. Emotional abuse damages your esteem that lasts a lifetime, even after 40 years I still don’t wear skirt/dresses because of the critical comments of my legs that in the back of my mind I still feel like he was right. After hearing for 13 years how dumb you are you tend to start to believe it which lead me not to try to go back to school or improve my life. Your fight with domestic abuse physically and emotional doesn’t end when you leave, you are fighting everyday to change how you think about yourself, what you were lead to believe about your looks/intelligence, etc. Even a harder task if you do not have a support group.

Powerfully written, Irene and so true. Every word. The physical abuse is bad. Horrible. But the emotional abuse can be the worst part, because its effects are invisible and, as you share, last a lifetime. You are strong. You are beautiful. You are smart. These are the true words you need to hear. Thank you for sharing your story in a way that every person who reads can feel personally.

I wrote a 6 paged article I just started and it will be under 20 pages. Which sites do I submit this to be paid for it Its my own experiences surviving abuse in childhood and through adulthood and have found writing to be a release like singing is for me.

Inshallah, I can’t tell you which sites to submit it to or even if it’s ready for publishing, but I can say that writing is like singing for the soul. I love that idea. Keep writing and keep sharing about your experiences so that others know they are not alone and there is a way out.

I am a victem of domestic violence 2 years of being “free” im still not.. i need help.. ive had no luck in my life what so ever.. council wont help me im stuck everyday that goes by just seems to get harder and harder im now dealing with heart problems.. waiting on a epg at the doctors and even im having to wait on that because there struggling to get “pads”. My lifes a mess i try to be strong but it just seems i get strong then something hits me again :'( why is it they say it will be ok.. when really it wont.. dreams turn into nightmares, the light fades when the suns shining it just always seems like its raining.. but when its actually raining u can cry freely as no one can see a tear as its just like a rain drop. Im not affraid of being alone im scared for life its self. When i think im getting there its like the mountian i just climed has trippled insize, why at the age of 22 am i getting pannic attaks. Its only been recently i went to the doctors ive had my bloods and waiting on a epc, i feel like my heart is on fire in my chest like theres no one there to put out the flames. My family ask for money when i wish to see them i know in this world thats all this world is about. Im thinking of just getting a horse and carage and going bk in time. But this world has evolved and is getting worse by the day. Those who actually need help are alone and suffeing.. but were do they actually go to get help?

Allyson, I am so sorry you’re struggling as you are. In many cities and towns, there are domestic advocacy groups that have regular support group meetings. In addition, they can often connect you with much-needed resources. See if you can find one near you. And for anyone else who reads this comment, if you have additional suggestions for Allyson, please reply. Thank you.

Good morning Allyson I’m sorry you feel alone and no where to turn if you need someone to talk to I am here. My name is Catherine and I am a Victor of domestic violence it has been 8 years since I’ve been set free. There is more to talk about, I can help you and show you the steps that help me and my kids heal. We will get through this together. My email is [email protected]

Catherine, thank you for sharing your email and offering to help.

Hello i am a 33 year old male and i have myself been physically and emotionally abused for 2 year by my noq ex spouse(female) I am looking to write of my experience as a victim behind closed doors but to the outside world i was portrayed as an abuser by many and all people especially law enforcement. I have learned as a male and my own experience Males cannot be victims. Sitting in a cold concrete cell with numerous injuries for many hours because police refuse to believe a woman can inflict such injuries on a man(im 6 foot 2 190lbs) even though there is not a scratch on my now ex spouse because her lies were chosen as the truth. This is just one example of many and i am now ready to take a stand for myself and others i know who suffer at the hands of there wife, girlfriend, or common-law and write a small book. I do lack the know how of writing a small book, any pointers would be much appreciated, Thank you for reading.

Derek, thank you for choosing to tell your truth. It’s difficult enough for women to be believed when they speak up about abuse, and I can only imagine how much harder it is for a man to speak up in the same situation: he is judged as somehow being “unmanly” and, as you say, people cannot imagine that the woman can be the abuser. But abuse happens both ways, and I think it’s important as a culture that we recognize that and listen to anyone who claims they are physically or emotionally abused. In those situations, I know it’s difficult for people (and police) to know who is lying and who is not, as it is often one person’s word against another. We must find a way to deal compassionately with everyone who says they’ve been a victim of violence.

Regarding writing your story, I suggest you start with a search of my site here. I have a series called “From Memories to Memoirs” and many posts on Journaling for Memoir which will help you get started putting your story on paper. Then, there are posts on writing craft that can help you take it further. In addition, of course, there are many books on the craft of writing memoir. The main thing is to just start writing.

Writing does help..this is a very good approach for a writing prompt..thank u for inspiring me by giving me a creative way to express and share my experience with others..hopefully someone can heal reading my words as I can heal by writing them.

Donna, I’m so glad you found inspiration here. Your voice deserves to be heard and, yes, others can heal by reading and hearing about your experiences and how you overcame abuse. Thank you for sharing.

I have a voice but no one is listening. I am a mother but I am scared for my children. I have a voice but I am not heard or respected . I lived with a bully someone to intimidated me and my children but I am paying the price. No one is listening. My children think its normal but it isnt. Who tells their children they are pigs; who sends their children to bed without food because they want you to do more homework and who washes their children’s mouth with soap and frightens them a bully does over and over but it is supposedly jovial. I left my children because I became scared of a man who picked on me nothing was right. My children watched but I had no voice. . I was financially abused but I have no voice. I am tired and all I seem to do is scream but no one is listening. My former husband does not tell me where my children are. My former husband doesn’t tell me anything about my children. They see therapists but I am not consulted and its his opinion only I have no voice no respect as a mother. I just have to accept, that I cannot prove emotional abuse but I can prove financial but no one is listening. My children will more than likely be abusers and be abuse but I cannot stop it no one is listening. Please listen I was told today I am not burnt but charred . I have paid tens of thousands to a system that is failing my children and myself. I now have my sister in law and she too is suffering the cruel treatment that her husband does to her and her children. He is no different to his brother. I have one person who knows what I went thru. My children are still there and I am desperate to help them and others. Please help me.

Tania, thank you for sharing your heart-wrenching story and the frustration of not being heard, of not having a voice — or, conversely, of speaking up but no one listens. This is far too typical a story. And contrary to the myth that women usually get the children or that women are protected by the courts, my experience is that the courts let us down and do not listen. They believe the abusers. I cannot help you from here, but please do reach out to a domestic violence organization if there is one near you. Women helping women — that is how we recover.

I was a victim of domestic violence and I want to get an essay published but I don’t want him to sue me or do anymore damage to me, how do I go about getting my writing published without putting myself in harms way?

Hi Ellen, I’d like to be in touch re your enquiry and hope you have found a way to be heard. Nearly four years since your post but please email me if you read this as I identify with your dilemma. Best wishes

I sat motionless on the bed, tears streaming down my face and clutching my abdomen, feeling the pain aroung my bruised neck and praying to God, that my unborn child would be ok. There in the darkness, I.knew that few would understand or even sympathize that I was a victim of domestic violence.

My daughter was nearly two years old, when the clouds of life came crashing down, as not only was I living in a private hell at home, I was working in a toxic work environment and trying to be a loving mother to my two young children. I had a mental breakdown at Christmas time. I looked at the Christmas tree and Holiday decor and felt dead inside and two weeks later, my husband hit me in the back of the head, the contusion was the size if a golf ball, and I was in such despair, that I took over 10 anti depressant medication.

My life was spared and my world changed nearly two years later, when fate intervened and saved my babies and myself. My husband was arrested and sent to prison for murder.

It was 35 years ago since he was arrested and a year ago I was told that he was going to be released from prison and immediately, I started to have PSTD flashbacks until I came to the realization that he would be over 1000 miles away and in a wheelchair. He was subsequently denied parole and this past July my son was notified that his father was dying of cancer and my son went to see his father in a prison hospital. His father passed away in August.

My heart and soul goes out to every person who has been and/or is in an abusive relationship. My daughter followed in my footsteps and she was a 4th Generation survivor of Domestic Violence.

There were little to no resources available when I was being abused and he did threaten to kill my young children. He never accepted responsibility for his behavior and at the end, I prayed that he was free from pain and died in peace.

Cindy, thank you for sharing your heartbreaking and courageous story. It’s so important that women know that help is available. There are more resources today than there were 35 years ago — and more empathy for women in that horrendous situation — but we still have a long way to go. Stories like yours help to raise awareness. So again, thank you.

Why when you talk about domestic violence do you only talk about battered wives? I feel great empathy for them and believe that their cause is underfunded. However, the cause of domestic violence against men is UNfunded and even unpublicized.

Thank you for your question, Frances. Domestic violence goes in all directions and all should be talked about and funded. That said, the vast majority of domestic violence is male-to-female violence, so it’s natural that this would get the most attention. Because of the stigma involved (the “male macho” standard), men who are beaten by their partners are less likely to come forward. Hopefully, we can begin to break down some of those double standards in our conversations about the issue.

Ho I’m a survivor of domestic violence which occurred over 40 years.Can I write about it and get paid for my story.

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Domestic Violence: Persuasive

Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects many individuals, regardless of gender or substance use. While substance abuse may contribute to violent behavior, it is not the sole cause of domestic violence. Abuse can have severe psychological and emotional effects on individuals, and it is important to recognize that those who have experienced domestic violence may need help as well. It is also important to address the culture of permission that accepts and condones violence against women and to recognize that domestic violence can occur between any individuals in a relationship. Speaking out and helping those who have been abused is the most effective way to limit domestic violence.

Domestic violence is an ongoing type of assault that happens every day. Despite being a complicated issue, there are solutions accessible. The most challenging but effective way to tackle domestic violence is by increasing awareness and offering support to the victims. Although some claim that substance abuse or controlling individuals are to blame, these accusations are exaggerated. The consequences of abuse involve both physical and emotional damage, resulting in notable physiological effects. Domestic violence can take different forms and affect anyone at any time. It involves deliberate aggression using violent methods, such as physical, mental, or emotional mistreatment.

It is important to recognize that both abusers and non-abusers may need help. A significant number of people, regardless of their abusive tendencies, attribute their violent actions to alcohol and drugs. While there is some truth to this claim, it is not entirely accurate. According to Tamara Roleff, 93% of individuals who engage in violence against their partners have an alcohol dependency issue. However, it must be emphasized that using alcohol and drugs should never serve as an excuse or rationalization for such behavior.

Abuse is a decision. As a community, we tend to take the easy way out by attributing blame to something or someone else. Substance abuse is quite prevalent and generic. There are numerous factors that contribute to abuse before alcohol comes into play. The influence of alcohol exacerbates the intensity of a spouse’s jealousy, control, or anger (Roleff, Tamara). This intensification serves as a justification for both the abuser and the victim (Roleff, Tamara).

The previous statement highlights society’s inclination to assign blame, with a common misconception that only men commit abuse. However, this is inaccurate as men can also be victims of abuse or exploitation. Dr. Jerkins, White, and Joseph point out a prevailing historical culture that condones violence against women in our society, perpetuating the belief that only men can be abusers. Nonetheless, domestic violence can occur mutually and persistently. It is crucial to acknowledge that women are capable of engaging in aggressive acts like slapping and throwing objects.

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An Online Resource Library on Gender-Based Violence.

Awareness Initiatives

Learn more about national efforts to raise awareness about gender based violence throughout the year:

How do I effectively engage my community in ending domestic violence? Build a collection of awesomeness.

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by Ivonne Ortiz, Training & Education Specialist for the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

With Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) behind us, the question is: how can we motivate our communities to stay involved? Domestic violence awareness goes beyond a purple ribbon and a powerful speech. It’s more than the poster, the walk, and the candlelight vigil. Domestic violence awareness is the ability to change people’s mindsets about its very nature and impact on all of us, and to inspire passion for social change long after DVAM comes to an end.

While individuals and families are devastated by domestic violence, its impact on entire communities runs even deeper. That is why it is so important to keep the conversation going throughout the year. According to Futures Without Violence , community engagement is one of the keys to preventing domestic violence. This means that the steps we take today to engage our communities and change cultural norms and institutions are necessary to move us closer to preventing gender-based violence tomorrow.

Back in the 90’s, I was the volunteer coordinator for a local domestic violence program. As you can imagine, this task was a hard one, but I believed in the cause and wanted to make a difference. I quickly realized that I was in over my head. Community engagement was not an easy task. With time, I understood that the most successful engagement strategy is the one that brings together the talents, resources and skills of people in the community.

This “collection of awesomeness” is what increases a community’s collective power to engage in social change, and that was our ultimate goal.

After many failed attempts, I was able to make important connections with key members of the community.  As a result, domestic violence awareness became more than a purple ribbon during the month of October. It became more about the community supporting survivors and holding perpetrators accountable.  It became more about changing individual’s attitudes and beliefs about gender-based violence.

I also learned that November is the perfect time to reach out to your community. Why? Well, because you have already taken the first step of a successful engagement strategy: awareness . Through local, statewide and national DVAM events and campaigns, awareness is heightened around the issue. These events most likely brought the dialogue about violence in the home into public consciousness.

Now, since awareness does not by itself lead to action, we have to find ways to encourage the community to actively support your program . This is one of the most tangible, invaluable ways to help end domestic violence.  As you know, domestic violence programs can greatly benefit from the community’s commitment, empathy, and help, especially in the form of donations or volunteer time. 

Promoting your program and its mission to potential volunteers requires that your passion for the movement become contagious. Your energy and excitement for social change has to motivate a person to want to join. Think of ways to explain why your volunteer program is most worthy of their time and energy. An example can be that their efforts will eventually lead to social change, which specifically draws on the DVAM message “ Awareness + Action = Social Change .”

It’s also important to develop an “elevator pitch.” An elevator pitch is a brief and very persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what your program does. The elevator pitch should be no longer than 30 seconds, and should answer:

• What is your message? Why do you care?
• Why should they care? Why should someone volunteer for your program?

Modify the length and content of your pitch for each potential volunteer. Remember the same message won’t work for everyone.

You can find additional ideas for engaging your community in the flyer  13 Ways Any Adult Can Make Ending Domestic Violence His or Her Business . The Special Collection,  Open Doors: Thinking Beyond Shelter (Or Alternative Ways to Help Survivors ) also provides great resources and ideas for engaging the community into becoming a part of the solution.

Can you share creative ways to engage communities?

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Join us on September 24 & 25 at 1pm Eastern for our 5th National Prevention Town Hall, featuring programs from the Mountain region of the US. Register today!

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2024

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is right around the corner! Learn how you can take action around this year's theme: "Heal, Hold & Center."

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2024 national conference on domestic violence, life$avings: financial empowerment for survivors of abuse.

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Can you help me in finding a persuasive topic that has to do with domestic violence?

I need an arguable aspect of it.

Consider these  arguable subtopics of domestic violence:

• Is domestic violence against men overlooked?
• Why do women return to abusers?
• Are the laws against domestic violence effective in reducing it?
• Do children of domestic violence continue the cycle of abuse?
• Should women who eventually kill their batterers be punished?

To find articles, visit   the Library Resources

• Try the  Opposing viewpoints database.
• This database has articles on both sides of a topic.

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• Last Updated Feb 13, 2024
• Answered By Baker Librarians

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Joseph R. Biden

Op-ed by the president: "why my fight against domestic violence is so personal".

Glamour: President Joe Biden: Why My Fight Against Domestic Violence is So Personal [Joe Biden, 9/12/24]

In an exclusive opinion editorial, Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States writes for Glamour.

Tonight, on the South Lawn of the White House, more than 1,000 survivors, advocates, and allies will gather to mark the 30th anniversary of the first comprehensive law addressing violence against women in our nation's history: the Violence Against Women Act.

As we celebrate our progress on this landmark legislation, we'll also hear powerful stories from heroic survivors: a longstanding champion who has fought alongside us for 30 years; an advocate for Indigenous women, LGBTQ+ survivors, and underserved communities; and a young, heroic man who was shot while intervening to stop a sexual assault while in college.

When I first introduced the Violence Against Women Act as a Senator in 1990, too few thought the government had a role to play in ending violence against women. Domestic violence was considered a "family matter." Back then, society largely turned a blind eye, dismissed cries for help, or blamed the victims.

It was wrong.

I have long believed that ending violence against women requires a wholesale cultural change – one that brought this hidden epidemic out from the shadows. So, as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I began to do just that.

My committee conducted, researched and authored groundbreaking, data-driven reports on violence against women, to shine a light on the truth and shake the nation out of its indifference. We brought together a coalition that included shelters, religious organizations, survivors, prosecutors, and advocates. And I invited health professionals, advocates, and courageous survivors to testify to the entire nation. Their harrowing stories have stuck with me more than 30 years later.

One woman recounted being beaten by her husband while pregnant, while another's husband stabbed her 13 times, leaving her permanently paralyzed. Another survivor's landlord hired two men to slash her face with a razor after she rebuffed his advances. And yet another was abducted from a parking lot and raped.

With each shocking testimony, hearts and minds began to change. Thanks to these courageous women, and advocates fighting alongside them, the Violence Against Women Act was signed into law on September 13, 1994. The law had several goals: ensuring safety in homes and communities, support and services for survivors, and justice and accountability.

With VAWA in place, we started to increase justice for survivors and accountability for perpetrators. We created the first-ever national hotline and supported shelters, rape crisis centers, housing and legal assistance for women all across the country. We trained police officers, prosecutors, advocates, judges, and court personnel to make our justice system more fair and responsive to the needs of survivors. And, over time, we expanded access to sexual assault services on college campuses, invested in ending the backlog of rape kits, and increased protections for underserved communities.

Every time we've reauthorized this law, I've worked across the aisle to strengthen it – as a Senator, as Vice President, and as President. Most recently, we secured the highest-ever funding of more than $700 million to implement the law's programs. And today, ahead of the law's 30th anniversary, I'll announce new actions my Administration is taking – from funding more services for survivors, to expanding housing protections, to keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, to tackling the next frontier of gender-based violence and abuse: deep-fake images and videos generated by artificial intelligence. The work never stops. But over the last 30 years, we've made tremendous progress.

According to the Department of Justice, between 1993 and 2022, the reported domestic violence rate dropped by 67%. The rate of reported rapes and sexual assaults declined by almost 56%. Earlier this year, our National Domestic Violence Hotline fielded its 7 millionth call since 1996. And millions of survivors have been provided with victim advocacy services, protection orders, housing, and legal aid.

There's more to do, but we will not rest until it gets done.

And that includes standing with women and girls worldwide who are facing down violence to demand basic human rights, and against rape and sexual violence used as weapons of war and terror.

Today, as we mark three decades since we passed into law the Violence Against Women Act, we celebrate our progress while recommitting to the work ahead.

My dad was a gentle, kind man who always taught me to stand up to the abuse of power—whether, psychological, economic or physical. That lesson was the driving force behind my decision to create the Violence Against Women Act 30 years ago. And as we look to the future, we cannot stop fighting until every woman and girl on this planet is not only free from violence, fear, and abuse—but empowered to reach her full potential.

Toward that aim, Congress must continue to build on the progress we have made under the Violence Against Women Act here in the United States, and pass the International Violence Against Women Act to strengthen justice and accountability for gender-based violence around the world. And we must each do our part at home, at work, in the military, in schools and on campuses, in communities, and online to prevent this from happening in the first place—and summon the courage to intervene when it does.

I believe America is a great nation, because we are a good people. Standing up to abuse of power is hard, but I know we can do this—we must do this—for all the women and girls suffering in silence; for all those we have lost; and for all those we can still save.

Joe Biden is the 46th President of the United States

Joseph R. Biden, Op-Ed by the President: "Why My Fight Against Domestic Violence is So Personal" Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/374151

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