EFFECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON THE IMMIGRANT HISPANIC WOMEN LIVING IN THE UNITED NATIONS

Domestic Violence in the Immigrant Hispanic Women 1




EFFECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON THE
IMMIGRANT HISPANIC WOMEN LIVING IN
THE UNITED NATIONS

,Domestic Violence in the Immigrant Hispanic Women
2

Domestic Violence in the Immigrant Hispanic

Women CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

According to Ohio Domestic Violence Network (2014), domestic violence that is

sometimes referred to as battering, family violence, or at other times intimate partner violence,

refers to a pattern of behavior used in the establishment of power and control over a person one

is in relationship with/ spouse through fear and intimidation. Most often, the threat or use of

violence affects the development of the victim socially, psychologically, emotionally and health

wise[ CITATION Lyn14 \l 1033 ]. Abusers use threats, intimidation, isolation, and other forms

of abuse to gain power over these victims (Lynn, 2014). It is noted that men, who when in

childhood witnessed battering in their parents’ marriage, were twice as likely to abuse their own

wives as sons of nonviolent parents[ CITATION Dom14 \l 1033 ].

According to Lynn (2014), domestic violence is a problem that is affecting women

psychologically, physically and mentally. Domestic violence is recognized as one of the leading

problems that many women experience in the United States (Domestic Violence, 2009). Lynn

reported that nearly one in five teenage women who are in a relationship in their life said that a

spouse or boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm in any case they presented them with a

breakup. Solutions have been proposed concerning this problem, such as treatments for those

those cause the abuse as proposed by (U.S. Department of Justice, 2006). Campbell et al (2003)

argue that there are programs like batterer’s interventions that are set up to give help for those

committing domestic violence to help improve the safety these women. Campbell et al (2003)

stated that even though there is substantial evidence of this research in the published scholarly

materials concerning domestic violence in the Hispanic immigrant women, the research has

mainly focused on the negative psychological effects on the women[ CITATION Cam03 \l

,Domestic Violence in the Immigrant Hispanic Women
3

1033 ]. The aim of this paper is to present the risks associated with domestic violence among the

immigrant women of Hispanic origin in the American society and how it affects them

emotionally and psychologically.

The main aim of the paper is to address the effects of domestic violence specifically on

Hispanic women viewing reasons why so many women are affected by domestic violence,

especially the immigrant women of Hispanic origin. It will address the target audience who are

mainly affected and what effects they suffer from that can be used in ending this menace

problem. The study area of this paper is exploring the psychological effects of domestic violence

on the Hispanic women living in the U.S.

Background to the Study

Domestic violence (DV) perpetrated against immigrant women is a global problem that

is without cultural, geographic, religious, social, economic, or even national boundaries (Murray,

2008). The effects of this form of physical and emotional abuse influence the entire society on

the value and role of women (Adelman & Gregory, 2009). Domestic violence is irrespective of

the social status because it is evident to the rich and the poor in the society (Lacey & Saunders,

2011).

In the 19th century, domestic violence was studied by the researchers drawn from and/or

associated with different professions (Adelman & Gregory, 2009). These professionals were

able to identify the various impacts that the vice has on the society as a whole. Studies indicates

that domestic violence is a major stressor for the immigrant women of Hispanic

origin[ CITATION Jud09 \l 1033 ]. The nature of abuse they go through and their nationality

status predisposes them to more violation of their rights (Koss, White, & Kazdin, 2011). The

common consequences of domestic violence is that domestic violence makes women and girls

feel unsafe

, Domestic Violence in the Immigrant Hispanic Women
4

in places where and in times when they should be feeling safest (Durfee, 2011). Durfee (2010)

continues to note that they are in their home and together with their beloved family members

during much of the abuse. Domestic violence does not only affect the female victims physically,

but the greatest harm is on their emotional and psychological wellbeing (Lacey & Saunders,

2011).

According to Durfee (2011), this feeling of insecurity is attributed to the fact that the

victims of the domestic violence often get disturbed psychologically as they develop a negative

perception about the men after being abused by the men through beating and intimidation. For

Durfee, the moment one’s emotional state is disturbed due to the impacts of domestic violence,

it cannot be regained. As such, such people tend to lose their self-respect and self-esteem

(Durfee, 2011).

Domestic violence is a major challenge that affect affects not only the perpetrators, but

also the victims severely together with their families in the American society (Durfee, 2011).

Domestic violence affect grammar error here people of all ages, gender the first time you

mention that men are abused – good this needs to be included in your study even if not the

central theme . More often than not, most victims of domestic violence choose to keep quiet and

suffer silently and secretly (Stein, 2011). The cause of this silence varies from place to place

and society to society. For example, the nature of their legality in the US; immigrant women of

Hispanic origin may feel forced to remain silent as their citizenship is questionable (Durfee,

2011). However, the general notion is that many victims of domestic violence are usually so

scared by the ordeal they go through to the extent that they falsely believe reporting or leaving

their homes might result in more danger to their lives with fear of deportation or their children

being taken away from them since they got into U.S. illegally and are undocumented. (Stein,