SHELTER FROM THE STORM Essay -- Essays Papers

SHELTER FROM THE STORM Domestic Violence is a prevalent issue facing men and women in the United States. The only way to put an end to domestic violence is to acknowledge it and report it. With the help of the government, local charities and the concern of Tucson community members, many different resources have been created to help and support victims of domestic violence as well as rape. Every year in the United States hundreds of thousands of domestic violence crimes are committed, many of which go unreported. According to a National Crime Victimization survey, "over two-thirds of violent victimization against women were by someone known to them"(Bachman, pg.1). Approximately 5% were relatives other than husbands, 35% were aquantences, and nearly 28% were intimates such as husbands or boyfriends. Females experienced more than 10 times as many incidences of violence by their companion than males. Women experience 572,032 violent victimizations by their significant other, while the number of incidents for men has been 48,983 on average, each year. In an article to Health Care Providers, it has been reported that medical expenses associated with domestic violence have accelerated to $3-5 billion dollars annually and continues to rise. "Almost 6 times as many women victimized by intimates (18%) as those victimized by strangers (3%) did not report their violent victi mization to police because they feared reprisal from the offender"(Bachman, p.1). In the Greater Tucson area approximately 16,000 charges are filed each year, at least half of which result in in-custody arrests. A statistics report from the Tucson Police Department for the twelve month period of March 1998 to February 1999 shows that only 384 phone cal... ...ordinator for ACADV/DVC Legislative Concerns. Bodfield, Rhonda. Hull helps to keep open Douglas shelter for abused. www.azstarnet.com/plsub-cgi/fastw, Oct. 29, 1998. Burnett, Dave. Tucson Centers for Women and Children. www.azstarnet.com/~tcwc/. Cook, Kristen. Forum focuses on domestic violence. www.azstarnet.com/plsub-cgi/fastw, Oct. 25,1998. "Domestic Violence for Health Care Providers," 3rd Edition, Colorado Domestic Violence Coalition, 1991. Hart, Barbara. "Remarks to the Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect," April 1992. Moore, Roberta. Oasis Center. w3.arizona.edu/~oasis/home.htm. Pacific Coast Publishing Regional Telephone Directory, 1999-2000. Sandal, Inger. Domestic Violence Center, city’s 1st, opens in January. www.azstarnet.com/plsub-cgi/fastw, Dec. 12, 1996. Violence Against Women. www.usdoj.gov/vawo/toc.htm.