Domestic Violence

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is defined as intentional abuse or assault committed by a past or present spouse, intimate partner, family member, or household member, regardless of age or gender. Domestic violence may take the form of psychological abuse, physical battery, or sexual assault. In recent years, there has been a proliferation of research on domestic violence; however, relatively little attention has been paid to the influence of minority status and culture on the experience of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is most frequently perpetrated by a male partner against a female partner. Female-tomale domestic violence does occur, but estimates suggest that in only 5% of cases is the primary aggressor female, and in cases of mutual violence, women are seven times more likely to be seriously injured than men. Historically, domestic violence was considered a private family matter rather than a criminal matter; however, significant changes in the U.S. criminal justice system within the past 20 years have provided law enforcement officials with the capacity and mandate to intervene.

Types of Violence

Psychological abuse involves the use of threats, coercion, intimidation, stalking, economic control, and isolation. Psychological abuse is distinct from discord that is reported in nonviolent marital relationships.

Physical battery refers to acts of physical aggression, such as kicking, punching, choking, slapping, stabbing, shooting, beating with fists, burning, biting, and throwing corrosive substances. Some cases of physical assault result in death.

Sexual assault involves rape and other forcible sexual acts, such as forced masturbation, fellatio, and oral coitus. Sexual assault also encompasses psychological abuse of a sexual nature, such as sexual humiliation.

Prevalence of Domestic Violence

U.S. population: Approximately 25% to 30% of women in America are victims of domestic violence during adulthood.

African Americans: Prevalence rates of domestic violence among African American women are 35% to 50% [Page 156]higher than rates among European American women. African American women experience domestic violence at about two and a half times the rate of women of other minority races.

Latinas: The prevalence of domestic violence among Latina women is thought to be slightly higher than among European American/Anglo women. Studies of specific Latina ethnicities have estimated the prevalence of domestic violence to be nearly twice as high as the prevalence in the European American/Anglo population; however, rates depend on how women are classified.

Asians and Pacific Islanders: Rates of domestic violence among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are reported to be much lower than the average for European Americans and all other ethnic minority groups. However, it is believed this is a function of underreporting in this population.

Native Americans and Alaska Natives: The prevalence of domestic violence in Native American and Alaska Native populations is believed to be higher than in the European American population, and some experts believe it is the highest among all ethnic minority groups. These groups remain largely understudied, and there is little data to confirm these assertions.

The data suggest that domestic violence may be more prevalent among some ethnic minorities than among the majority population in the United States. However, studies that examined variables such as poverty and social class have identified these factors as better predictors of domestic violence prevalence than ethnicity. Poverty and social class appear to exacerbate the risk for domestic violence, particularly in minority groups.

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