Visual Text Analysis: Domestic Violence By: Natalia Osorio

  Domestic Violence refers to the pattern of behavior of violence or abuse of one’s spouse or intimate partner. Domestic violence effects about one third of all women around the world. Furthermore, domestic violence often occurs unreported, many women affected by domestic violence live in constant fear in their own homes. However, Domestic violence does not only effect women, it can also affect men, children, heterosexual or homosexual couples

  Contrary to popular belief, domestic violence does not necessarily mean physical violence or abuse. There are several types of domestic violence that occur. Domestic Violence is separated into five types by WEAVE Inc., the primary provider of crisis intervention services for survivors of Domestic Violence. The first type of domestic violence described is physical abuse, the second type is emotional abuse, followed by financial abuse, sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse.

All these types of abuse are equally harmful to the victim  All these types of abuse are equally harmful to the victim. Physical abuse refers to physical contact that can or does injure the victim. The next category is emotional abuse. This type of abuse is characterized by continuous criticism, and required control of the victim’s decisions. Following emotional abuse comes financial abuse, financial abuse is less known and reported, but just as common. This type of abuse may include the withholding of resources, theft from the victim, or using the victim’s name to incur debt. Furthermore, we have sexual abuse which is often related to physical abuse and includes the force of unwanted sexual acts. Lastly, there is spiritual abuse in which the abuser prevents the victim from doing an activity or from feeling good about themselves, such as practicing a religion. All of these categories of Domestic Violence often occur in a vicious cycle of violence and can be fatal if not broken as soon as possible

  Domestic Violence can be a scary experience for the victim, their family, and loved ones. The victim might be fearful of their abuser or simply in denial of their abuse. However, Victims of domestic violence should not be afraid to speak up and report their abuser to the authorities. Domestic violence is not only harmful, but can be punished with serious jail or prison time. Victims should not feel helpless, there are various programs and shelters aside from the authorities that are dedicated to helping the victims and survivors of domestic violence. Some of these programs include the YWCA and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

  In the final analysis, domestic violence should be put to an end. Victims of domestic violence often do not realize the long term effects of domestic violence, which can include death. Additionally, Domestic violence does not only affect the victim but can affect the ones around them. The victim can become depressed, angry, paranoid, or withdrawn to the people around the .Moreover, Children who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to become abusers. These long term affects can only be prevented, if the victim or a loved one reports and seeks help.