When individuals think about Domestic Violence (DV), we only think about the negative effects and impacts that occur upon the victim. We think about the pain the victim has inflicted, the yearning of losing a loved one’s trust and the influences that this event has caused for the victim and offenders lifestyles. However, let’s take a step back and stop thinking about the impacts, effects and consequences about Domestic Violence and rather think about how this deviant behaviour even comes about. On average data illustrates how Domestic Violence has reached epidemic proportions, where almost 86.4% of incidents are occurring. Domestic violence influences the ways individuals live their lives, act, talk, and even think. It can change from a natural situation into one of tragic results. We will discuss the theories and causations of Domestic Violence (DV) and understand why this deviant behavior occurs, through theoretical research performed by professionals in society, throughout numerous years. In doing so, the understanding of the causation will demonstrate the explanatory power of each theory. We will look beyond an individual’s mind, and surf deeper into the soul of their brain to uncover what factors lead to DV, whether its personal upbringings, past experiences, social context or radical behavior. However, Domestic Violence does not discriminate against race, age and socioeconomic background. No specific type of individual is more prone to being battered by her partner, nor is one type of individual completely safe from abuse.
Family and Domestic Violence is a major issue that is seen occurring in society then and continues to be addressed towards the Australian public today, through its significant increase in cases. This notion is supported by a recent report from the Australia Bureau of statistics (2015) that shows trends of increased DV over years. This is further emphasized by the Interim Report Domestic violence in Australia. The New South Wales of Domestic Violence (2015) define DV as; the violent, abusive or intimidating behavior by a partner, carer or family member to control, dominate or cause fear. It doesn’t have to be physical abuse. It can be emotional, psychological, financial, sexual or other types of abuse. Figures demonstrates how majority of DV cases are women, where approximately one in three adult women experiences at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood, (ABS 2015). As individuals looking in, we may interpret domestic violence as a means of the offender letting out hindrance or frustration towards their partner, however, criminologists want to express how characteristics can be the potential causes of these deviant behaviors.
DV offenders potentially commit a crime when their bond with society has significantly disintegrated or weakened. This then compels these individuals to go into society and perform violent acts against others, however, if they do not, then turn to means of those closest to them, whom most likely are either their partners of family members. Research by Travis Hirschi (2009) highlights how individuals reach certain points in life, where their social connections are lacking normality and in so lead them to practicing or participating in criminal activity. He has linked this notion to a theory he developed such as the social control theory that proposes the process of socialization and social learning which builds self-control and reduces the inclination to indulge in behavior recognized as antisocial. Hirschi proposes that a common value system within a culture is a possible factor that leads to deviant behavior. Belief plays a role in deviance in two ways. The criminal either disregard the beliefs he/she has been taught entirely, or rationalizes their deviant behavior so that they can engage in criminal activity and still believe that it is wrong. The internalization of norms, conscience, and super ego is determined by an individual’s attachment to others. Hirschi says this is the sociological counterpart to the superego. People obey rules for fear the consequences of breaking them. This is the counterpart to the ego. The evidence provided is one part of why deviant behavior occurs for DV offenders.
Society also plays a significant role when it comes to Domestic Violence. The lifestyle of the society or community of the offender, has seen to be a potential reason or starting point as to why individuals commit crimes. The Strain theory puts a greater emphasis on explaining social behaviors, as the pressure of society can impose a negative toll towards DV individuals, which pushes them towards committing certain offences. Sulak et, al. (2014), presents evidence to suggest reasons as to why certain actions are upheld and offer a model of understanding into adolescent and young adult behaviors. Sulak et, al. prompts how the strain theory may offer a model for understanding reporting behavior in adolescents and young adults. In a sample of 891 adolescents and young adults, social norms and attitudes were predictive of reporting intentions and subsequently, reporting behavior. For the purposes of this study, reporting behavior was defined as reporting the domestic violence to any individual not directly involved, which could include law enforcement personnel or other individuals who may provide assistance. Understanding how attitudes and social norms affect reporting behavior could be helpful for agencies serving individuals affected by domestic violence. The strain theory demonstrates how an individual’s belief in common goals and morals of society can lead to a lack of means for achieving those goals which in turn encourages deviant behavior as a means of achieving those goals.
The bridge between behaviorists and cognitive learning encompassed from attention to detail, memory and self-motivation, expresses how an individual may act on intent without the thought of punishment. Albert Bandur’s theoretical proposition of the social learning theory supported by McLeod (2016), clarifies Bandura’s experiment on various children and how the idea interplays with society today regarding how observed behavior impacts both positively and negatively on an individual. Criminal behavior occurs within intimate personal groups and when it is learned, the learning includes techniques of committing the crime, which are sometimes very complicated, sometimes very simple, and the specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes (McLeod, 2016). The social learning theory is understood as having much support and perhaps the dominant theory of crime today, compared to the strain and social control theory. Data indicates that the people one associates with have a large impact on whether or not one engages in crime, and that this impact is partially explained by the effect these people have on one’s beliefs regarding crime, the reinforcements and punishments one receives, and the models one is exposed to. The detailed direction of certain motives is learned from differing legal codes as favorable or unfavorable. A person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to violation of law over definitions unfavorable to violation of the law, which indicates as to why the social learning theory is seen as the most derived theory to understand, when they look at the behavior of domestic violence offenders.
Additionally, Domestic Violence cases are predominantly seen more in certain geographical locations that others, which could be due to the lifestyle or environment that is sustained within that area. The social learning theory further supported by Murray, et al. (2016), brings increased attention to community and neighborhood influences on rates of intimate partner violence and domestic violence. Murray, et.al, exposes how the geographical location for different people impacts significantly on a child’s neurocognitive development, leading to lower rates of intelligence. With this negative data presented, researchers then looked further to try to understand why deviant behavior is occurring. Further research has suggested how studies conducted accounted for genetic influences also contributed to domestic violence and lower intelligence levels, supporting the biological theory. An experiment was taken where different children’s IQs were assessed for individuals in low income areas. Ordinary regression showed that domestic violence was uniquely associated with IQ suppression in a dose response relationship. Children exposed to high levels of domestic violence had IQs that were, on average, 8 points lower than unexposed children. Structural equation models showed that adult domestic violence accounted for 4% of the variation, on average, in child IQ, independent of latent genetic influences. Having statistics show such low numbers in achievements, can lead to further crimes being committed, as it becomes a mean of everyday lifestyle for children who do not attend school, or some source of academic facility (Murray et.al, 2016). By implementing problematic programs that successfully reduce domestic violence allows for a more beneficial effect on children’s cognitive development, as they make look further than what their living environment make look like, as find aspects that surround them, to improve their knowledge, leading them away from factors that can lead to deviant behavior.
Though Family and Domestic Violence offenders have undergone study purposes into understanding why they perform such acts against other individuals, there is also an understanding of support needed for victims of these violent acts. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT) supported by Chippendale et,al. (2011) explores how there are various services in society that advocate for victims of any sort violence. However, AJOT put a greater emphasis on occupational therapy being is best means of help, as it helps the victims who may be experience both physical and mental issues. The Department of Human Services (2017) expresses their ongoing support for domestic violence victims where “we can support you if you’re in, have left, or are preparing to leave a situation where you’re affected by family and domestic violence. We provide payments, social work counselling and third party referrals”. While housing is an important aspect to obtain for victims who run away, supported by a party called Crisis Housing, it is also imperative that the minds of these victims are well maintained and expressed after facing a traumatic event. By speaking to an individual or professional being about the events that have occurred, can suggestively increase a victim’s mental state as they have the support of not going through distressing events alone, but also being aware that there are support services available. While there are, a few services stated available for DV victims, there are many more existing throughout society, who offer the same or even more features to assist these individuals.
In conclusion, we can see how Domestic Violence drastically impacts both the offender and victims involved. While society looks at only the status of DV victims, it is also important for society to take a step back and explore the factors as to why DV occurs. Various researchers have under gone countless studies to understand the minds and personalities of DV offenders, in hopes of coming to a conclusion as to why they offend. With various theories invented, it suggests one step further to either diminishing or preventing DV from occurring.