Resource Shortage: Domestic Violence Victims Left Unsupported
‘“Why didn’t you just leave?”’ This question poses a complex dilemma for many domestic violence victims, often leading to internalized feelings of guilt and shame (Evans). Society tends to question the victim for not leaving, rather than condemning the perpetrator for abusing. In contrast, in cases where victims attempted to escape, many found an evident lack of resources to address their needs. Specifically, domestic abuse victims require multi-faceted support to prevent homelessness and to mitigate the mental and physical trauma from their pasts.
Presently, shelters for domestic violence victims have reached capacity nationwide. A study conducted a decade ago revealed that there was a 13% increase in unmet shelter requests between 2010 and 2014 (“Domestic Violence Services”). The reason for denial: lack of shelter space. This illustrates why many victims remain trapped in their abusive households, forced to choose between abuse and homelessness. Based on this statistic alone, it can be concluded that there is a stark need for more shelters nationwide.
Beyond the issue of capacity, victims have encountered strict shelter rules, that if unmet, will result in no admittance. Nikki Brown, a domestic abuse survivor, recently spoke on the challenges of shelter acceptance. She highlighted the uncertainty of shelter space and the stringent rules associated with admittance, including the requirement to be declared homeless prior to admission. In her experience, a victim needs to: a) find a way to escape their abuser; b) be declared homeless; and c) contact a shelter and hope for a space. This eye-opening scenario demonstrates how fear of homelessness prevents victims from leaving their abusive households. Notably, 50% of homeless women are domestic violence survivors, underscoring the substantial number of people who either couldn’t get immediate shelter or didn’t have access to the post-shelter resources crucial for their mental and physical well-being (Paskin).
While immediate shelter services are crucial, it’s equally important to establish long-term support for the mental and physical well-being of domestic violence victims. An Intimate Partner Violence study and discussion conducted by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) in 2010 found that women with a history of intimate partner violence experienced higher rates of mental and physical health conditions, as compared to those without such a history (Frieden et al.). This signifies the importance of transitional housing and counseling services for survivors of domestic violence. Transitional housing gives survivors the chance to recover emotionally and physically. Without such programs, victims may again face the choice of becoming homeless or returning to their abusive partners. To prevent this scenario, there must be an ample availability of crucial resources, including access to qualified mental health professionals.
While many advocate for increased resources for domestic violence survivors, some argue whether the issue should be addressed in a gendered manner, prioritizing those most affected: women. In the United States alone, 10% of men and 29% of women have experienced or reported intimate partner violence (“Domestic Violence Statistics”). Additionally, global statistics reveal the higher prevalence of domestic abuse against women in countries more patriarchal than the United States (Ikeke). Some argue that similar statistics necessitate direct support towards women rather than all victims regardless of gender. In fact, there’s a concern that non-gendered support may take away from the support of women (Hambrook).
Considering this argument, there is merit in treating domestic violence in a manner that addresses the difficulties of a man in a traditional role. However, it’s crucial to note two overlooked factors. Firstly, this approach excludes men who are victims themselves. Secondly, it fails to recognize the present-day reality of family structures where both partners work. Regardless of gender, they often juggle similar stressors and responsibilities.
Regarding the first point, focusing on difficulties resulting from men’s traditional roles inadvertently excludes male domestic violence victims, neglecting their need for support, especially concerning children. A 2016 article discussing the failure of the Violence Against Women Act found that although at the time 35% of severe domestic violence victims were men, only 1% of funds were allocated to assist them (Crouse). Due to the evident lack of targeted support, male victims are less likely to seek help compared to their female counterparts. This leaves many men struggling with untreated mental health issues. Consequently, the lack of support contributes to the trend of abused children having a higher likelihood of perpetrating severe intimate partner violence as adults, compared to those without such an experience (Millett et al.). This challenge, again, highlights the crucial need for multi-faceted support for all victims of domestic violence, irrespective of age and gender. The primary aim should be inclusive support.
Domestic violence remains a complex issue, perhaps unsolvable, but its impact can be lessened. Though resources like shelters, counseling, and transitional housing exist, their availability falls short. To bridge this gap, federal intervention is crucial. By providing additional funding to existing programs, the federal government can ensure that domestic violence victims are not left unsupported.
A Reflection
A few months back, I heard a haunting domestic violence story that weighs on me daily. A pregnant woman was nearly drowned by her husband, his hands around her neck, as their three little children watched. The woman tried to leave, yet she was denied entrance at every shelter, the reason being that they were at full capacity. And even if she could leave, she feared that her husband would take away her children.
Knowing the area this woman lives in, every day I think about her story, the other violent stories unfolding all around me. I think about my friend, my classmate from elementary school, who decided to end her life because the trauma of her father’s abuse was too much. She was 12 years old.
These stories paint a tragic reality that urgently requires change. Individually, let’s be more attentive to our loved ones. Do they tense up when we hug them? Show signs of nervousness or anxiety? It’s crucial to recognize potential signs of domestic abuse. As communities, advocating for and creating safe, non-judgmental spaces for survivors is vital. Lastly, institutions should provide training to identify signs of abuse and collaborate with shelters and community services, offering resources — be it financial aid or supplies.
Domestic violence may seem insurmountable, but it’s a challenge that we can partially address. By expanding shelter capacities, offering transitional housing, and prioritizing long-term mental health support, communities can provide survivors with vital resources needed for them to move on from their traumatic pasts.
A Playlist for Perspective
“Female Robbery” by The Neighborhood (2012)
“Female Robbery” is a story about a little girl trapped in an abusive household. She prays for an older woman to rescue her, according to front-man Jesse Rutherford. Perhaps the older woman is the adult version of the little girl. In the video, the scene opens with a woman writing a journal entry about how happy she is that she survived the horrors of her childhood. Later in the video after the girl is kidnapped, the older version of herself buries a different journal which represents burying her trauma and moving on. The song and video are a reflection of her childhood. Many domestic abuse survivors can relate to the idea of wanting to be rescued by someone. There is also pride in surviving and moving on to be loved properly by others.
Throughout “Female Robbery,” Rutherford alludes to the television. “I think I found something in my TV screen,” “That TV show I saw as I fell asleep/ Had me…praying to whatever is heaven…,” and “I bet they all planned it out in the shows.” These thoughts represent how the child processed her trauma, in this case, seeing everything play out like it was a TV show, zoning out to the TV while her parents were fighting. Many children who witness or experience violence find coping skills or ways to mentally escape their situation. These coping mechanisms can persist into adulthood and make it difficult to process emotions normally, which is why it is so important for domestic violence victims to receive therapy.
“Frozen” by Within Temptation (2007)
“Frozen” follows the story of a woman who killed her husband after he repeatedly abused her and their child. “Tell me I’m frozen, but what can I do?” This line shows how many domestic violence victims feel in their situation, frozen and unable to leave. Additionally, in the video itself, the little girl is shown to be ripping out the hair of her doll. This represents the child’s loss of innocence as the abuse ended up stripping away her childhood. Many children that are victims of abuse are forced to grow up at a young age, and this can cause problems in their future, especially in relationships.
“A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation” by Trivium (2005)
“A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation” is a song that “reflects the outright anger that” Trivium’s lead vocalist, Matt Heafy, has for abusers. This song is a message to them. “You starve your children on neglect/ Then feed their bellies with fear.” If the abuser lays another finger on their family, they will get “a gunshot to the head of trepidation.” The song asserts finality, or an end to cyclical abuse. The singer is calling out the abuser by singing from a second-person point of view, which perfectly showcases the anger people should have towards those who perpetuate domestic violence.
“Halls of Illusion” by Insane Clown Posse (1997)
“Insane Clown Posse” is a song about people who screwed up their family’s lives with their own two hands. The song and the music video show the abuser strapped down in an amusement park seat. The abuser rides through the halls of illusion, where he sees what his family could have been like — in contrast to the reality he created. “See this is an illusion/It never came true/All because of you!” The first important message of the song is how victims’ lives are negatively impacted in the long term. The second message is that abusers create an illusion of happiness when in public, making it impossible for strangers to spot signs of abuse.
“The Last to Stay” by Atmosphere (2011)
“The Last to Stay” tells the story of a boy who witnessed the abuse of his mother at the hands of his father. As a grown man, still holding out anger for his father, he ends up abusing his partner. The message is, “Let me be the last to say, please don’t stay. Let me be the last to say, you won’t be okay.” The singer urges victims to leave their abusive relationship for themselves and the sake of their children. Another important concept brought up in the song, also mentioned in the article, is that children who witness abuse are more likely to become the perpetrator as an adult, as opposed to those who don’t witness or experience abuse.
*Artist’s Notes/Dorfman: My vision was to create an interplay of hope and discomfort. The purple theme, symbolic of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, coupled with butterflies, exudes hope amid the harsh reality of the topic. The shift from the colors to the grim facts serves as a wake-up call, and the silent yet accusatory gazes of the women confront the viewers with a feeling of responsibility. Inspired by Halestorm’s “Vultures” and The Neighborhood’s “Female Robbery,” the collage intertwines vulture symbolism, black-and-white tones, and bold lettering, echoing the essence of both music videos and album covers. I hope to leave the viewer reflecting on the topic long after they view the article.
- Crouse, Janice Shaw. “The Violence Against Women Act Fails Because It Neglects Violence Against Men.” Violence Against Women, edited by Noël Merino, Greenhaven Press, 2016. Current Controversies. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010068413/OVIC?u=mcc_chandler&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=6792df8f. Accessed 23 Sept. 2023. Originally published as “Violence Against Women Act Needs Reform,” Washington Times, 24 July 2012.
- “Domestic Violence Services Provided by State and Tribal Grantees: July 2015.” Administration for Children & Families, Family & Youth Services Bureau, www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fysb/fvpsa_state_tribal_20150731.pdf. Accessed 30 Sept. 2023.
- “Domestic Violence Statistics.” The Hotline, National Domestic Violence Hotline, 2023, www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023
- Evans, Leontyne. “A Survivor’s Lens on Counseling and Intimate Partner Violence.” Counseling Today, Aug. 2021, ct.counseling.org/2021/08/a-survivors-lens-on-counseling-and-intimate-partner-violence/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2023.
- Hambrook, Elsie. “Domestic Violence Against Women Is More Common than Domestic Violence Against Men.” Domestic Violence, edited by Louise I. Gerdes, Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010126290/OVIC?u=mcc_chandler&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=e7e838b5. Accessed 23 Sept. 2023. Originally published as “The Real Facts and Politics of Intimate Partner Violence,” Times & Transcript, 13 Jan. 2011.
- Ikeke, Mark. “Family Structure and Domestic Abuse.” Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence and Abuse, edited by Laura L. Finley, vol. 1, ABC-CLIO, 2013, pp. 153–154. Gale eBooks, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3161600063/GVRL?u=mcc_chandler&sid=bookmark-GVRL&xid=e78beb6d. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023.
- Millett, Lina S., et al. “Child Maltreatment Victimization and Subsequent Perpetration of Young Adult Intimate Partner Violence.” Child Maltreatment, vol. 18, no. 2, Apr. 2013, pp. 71–84, https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559513484821. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023
- Paskin, Julia. “How Domestic Violence Became the №1 Cause of Homelessness for Women in LA.” LAist, 28 June 2021, laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/how-domestic-violence-became-the-no-1-cause-of-homelessness-for-women-in-los-angeles. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
