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Juan Pablo D’odorico – Nicolás Marconi – Maximiliano Matute
Cases of domestic violence are happening more and more often in our country and in the entire world. Most of them don’t get to public knowledge because the victim doesn’t say anything but it doesn’t mean that they are not suffering it. The abuse in the couple is usually from man to woman, but it can be the other way around. Before starting we think it’s important to define what domestic violence is about: Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; they can be living together, separated or dating. Some typical signs to detect cases of domestic abuse are: • The social isolation of the couple, • An unequal relationship in where one has more power than the other • The lack of relational distance: having a great dependence the one from the other.
Different types of domestic abuse There are many kinds of abuse. The five more common are: the physical abuse, the sexual abuse, the emotional abuse, the financial abuse and the identity abuse. We’ll explain the different types of abuse below but ordering it between categories doesn’t mean that are separated things: some abusive tactics may fit into more than one category. A threat of physical harm, for example, could be seen as emotional abuse and as physical abuse. The categories are just a handy way to think about abuse. ii
Physical Abuse
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Physical violence is abuse when it is aimed to
get the power and control of the relationship. There are some typical cases in which the person starts fearing the abuse, changing his/her behavior or maintaining a particular
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routine. Physical
abuse
can
be
defined as the threat of harm or any forceful physical behavior that intentionally or accidentally causes bodily harm or property destruction, including any kind of punch, holding the partner so that she/he doesn’t leave, forcing the use of substances, denying the partner’s needs or stalking. iv
Physical abuse is not only used against the partner, it can also be used against children and pets, as well as the partner’s friends or/and family.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is any forced sexual act or behavior in purpose to reach control over the partner. It is not only forced sexual contact but also contact that humiliates the partner and instigates feelings of shame or vulnerability, making the partner fell inferior. Some common examples of sexual abuse are forced touching, not taking seriously the partner’s sexual needs, forcing sex or raping, using force during sex that is not consensual, not taking in count the safety of the sexual partner, making the partner have sex with other people, exposing the partner to sexually transmitted diseases and treating the partner as an object. v
Emotional/Psychological Abuse Emotional abuse is any use of words, voice, action or lack of action meant to control, hurt or demean another person. Emotional abuse typically includes ridiculing, intimidating or threating. Verbal abuse is also included in this category. This type of abuse is harder to identify than physical abuse because not everyone is affected in the same way by the other’s actions, it’s very personal. Emotional abuse is repeated hurtful exchanges with disregard for the partner’s feelings aimed at gaining power and/or
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getting control over the partner. For example calling the partner “stupid” or “worthless” makes the other feel vulnerable and inferior. Emotional abuse is typically the first step to get to physical abuse and it’s not common to find physical abuse without emotional. This kind of abuse can have serious long-term consequences for the partner’s esteem and confidence and also it may install a feeling of helplessness and/or hopelessness. Some examples of emotional abuse are verbal abuse, name-calling, abusive language, criticism and humiliation, obsessive jealously and loyalty accusations, making the other feel that “everything he/she can do is wrong and not enough”, insulting, revising the cellphone, constantly demanding to the other to tell what he/she has been doing and making the other get distanced from he/she’s beloved ones. A repetitive condition of abuse is seeking to socially isolate the partner. The abuser in most of the cases cuts off their partner from contact with other people, such as family, friends and children. The abused depends of the abuser.
Financial Abuse The financial abuse is controlling all the finances or monetary recourses without the partner consent although the money is earned by both. vi
Common examples of financial abuse include: constant calls to make the other
work; creating conflicts and making violence scenes with the partner’s coworkers, bosses or clients; refusing to work; controlling the money so the abused can’t do anything without the other consent; taking as own the partner’s property; controlling all credit cards, cash money or checkbook; and forcing the partner to sign financial documents in which the abuser gets benefits.
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Identity Abuse Identity abuse is using personal characteristics to look down on, manipulate and control the partner. Some of these tactics are mixed with other forms of abuse, especially emotional abuse. This category is composed of discrimination like racism, sexism, age discrimination, lack of abilities, physical discrimination and homophobia. Some common examples are: making the other feel that he/she won’t have another relationship because he/she is not enough beauty or young; justifying the abuse on the partner’s identity (gay, bisexual, transgender); using negative stereotypes; ridiculing the partner’s physical challenges ; and remarking them all the time and laughing at the other’s appearance, way of dressing or voice
Using the partner’s own homophobia to demean him or make him fearful vii Asserting that the partner will never have another relationship because he is
too ugly or too old. Blaming the abuse on the partner’s identity (gay, bisexuality, transgender) . Using racial epithets and negative stereotypes Accusing the partner of being racist. Ridiculing the partner’s physical challenges or exploiting them. Ridiculing the partner’s gender identity: appearance, dress, voice quality, grooming, etc.
Famous cases of domestic abuse Domestic violence is not something that only happens in situations of poverty or uneducated people. On the contrary, it is becoming even more regular and there are many cases among celebrities not only in Argentina but also worldwide.
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Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller
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In 2009 the exprotagonista of ' Two and a Half Men ' spent Christmas in jail after he threatened to kill his ex-wife and accused him of domestic violence.
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Rihanna and Chris Brown
The singer and her boyfriend, Chris Brown, had a big fight in the street, in Los Angeles , CA. According to reports , he beat her ,took her by the neck, threatening to kill her and tried to choke her . She ended up in hospital with a black eye , a broken and swollen lip and two bruises on both sides of the front.
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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
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The ex-wife of the golf champion Tiger Woods took a golf pat to break his track after she discovered that he was being unfaithful. Some minutes later the track finished crashed.
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Maradona
On October 27 a video that shows Diego Armando Maradona beating his girlfriend, Rocío Oliva, was spread . The player denied having attacked her and explained that he only punched her to stop recording.
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Don Omar
Don Omar paid US$ 600,000 for his release after he was arrested for charges of domestic violence. Don Omar, aged 36, was charged with six counts , including domestic violence , abuse , threats, unlawful possession of a gun and point it to your ex-partner Rebecca Lopez.
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Valeria Liberman
They say that looks can be deceiving. And while Cristian Castro and the Argentinean’s lawyer looked very happy in public during the divorce proceedings she revealed that the Mexican singer had beaten her and kicked her repeatedly even with only two months of marriage and expecting a baby.
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Whitney Houston
The marriage of the singer and Bobby Brown, which lasted 14 long years, was aimed for scandal after scandal: from drug addiction, up to problems with the law and endless fights coming to blow. In 2006, Houston said no more and filed for divorce.
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Wanda Taddei
Wanda Taddei was a woman murdered by her husband, the musician Eduardo Vazquez, who burned her and died eleven days after it. Vazquez was initially sentenced to 18 years in prison for the crime of " qualified homicide by the bond , tempered by his commitment in a state of violent emotion " , but the Court of Appeals changed the verdict sentencing him to life imprisonment in the final decision . Wanda Taddei 's case highlighted the gender violence and the seriousness of femicide in Argentina , as well as the implications for impunity of state of violent emotion . The dissemination of the case also caused the multiplication of attacks by men against their female partners or former partners using elements of combustion. This was called the " Wanda Taddei effect."
The meaning of violet and purple, symbols of domestic violence These colors have a deep effect on the mind and are used by psychiatrists to help to calm and reassure patients suffering from mental and nervous disorders. These colors balance the mind and help transform obsessions and fears. xvi
Indigo is a powerful color for the psyche, it is associated with brain function and is a stimulant of imagination and intuition. It is also has a strong sedative function The violet and purple are colors of transformation at the highest spiritual and mental step, able to fight the fears and bring peace. They have a cleansing effect in emotional disorders. They also connect us with the musical and artistic impulses, mystery and
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sensitivity to beauty and great ideals, inspiring sensitivity, spirituality and compassion. Violet can crate strong influences, however, the ones who are attracted to it, should be careful not to let go and live in a fantasy world.
How to stop the abuse There are some different tips that everyone should know about how to stop with the abuse. It is really important to be informed about this. Tip number 1: The abused need to recognize all kind of signs that can be presented. For example: the abuser’s behavior. Tip number 2: Get our society educated, education it is one of the most important things that we can do from the beginning of our formation. It is a good way to eradicate violence from our community. Tip number 3: Get our society organized. We need to get prepared as many people as we can to secure different neighborhoods, start organizing a network of people who will commit to intervene in Domestic Violence situations, help victims to leave their abusers safely and provide a communal support structure for survivors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnqc-nzrpqI xvii
For the individuals
Tip number 1: Ring the bell. If you are the neighbor of a family that is having Domestic Violence, try to ring their bell when you hear a violent situation happening. Tip number 2: Bring a back-up. In some situations the abuser can haxviiive a gun or maybe it is drunk. So we will need always someone to help us.
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Tip number 3: Be the back-up. If someone you know is facing Domestic Violence at home, let them know that you can be a witness. Also let them know that they are welcome to take refuge in your home if they are in problems Tip number 4: Call the police. If the abuser has a gun and uses it during the abuse, call the police or your local emergency services at the moment. Give them critical information, such as location, names, and contact number. One call can save a life. Tip number 5: Listen to the victim. Let her know that you believe her and do not judge her choices. It is important to enable her to be free to talk. This intervention tip may be particularly useful for nurses, human resource department personnel and anyone working in professions that involve having to listen to clients, customers and co-workers as part of the job. Tip number 6: Be on standby. If you suspect your friend, co-worker, staff, or family member is suffering from Domestic Violence, offer to be on standby for her text or call for emergencies. You must have your phone on and fully charged at all times and keep it on you. Also having a car is a good option to help the abused, make sure that the gas/petrol tank is full so you can get in and drive to get the victim/survivor immediately. Tip number 7: Provide some relief. If you know a Domestic Violence victim/survivor who is being kept at home without relief, do a random act of kindness for her. Every small gesture helps to build the victim’s confidence. Tip number 8: Check in regularly. If you fear for the abused, call or text her/him once a day at a random time to see if she/he is all right. If it’s your neighbor, try to pay attention to look for something strange. Tip number 9: Be a resource. Help to find the assistance she/he needs, whether it is legal information, local domestic violence programs, or finding a safe place. Knowing this information beforehand may be helpful, but assisting her in the research and even making phone calls for it will also help the situation. Tip number 10: Document any incidents that you noticed. Take down note of dates, times, injuries, or any other observations you may do. Your documentation can help when some authority must take a legal action.
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Images i
http://imagebasket.net/671-stop-domestic-violence-images.php?pics=true
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https://www.pinterest.com/sealpress/domestic-violence-awareness/
http://gazettereview.com/2015/06/men-that-commit-domestic-violence-often-havemental-health-problems/ iii
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-scrupski/it-takes-a-village-to-sto_1_b_6590586.html
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http://www.shutterstock.com/es/pic-121621387/stock-photo-stop-sexual-abuse-sign-wordsclouds-shape-isolated-in-white-background.htm vi
https://whgne.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/keeping-your-boat-afloat/
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http://identitytheftnetwork.org/gethelp/im-a-domestic-violence-victim
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http://www.peopleenespanol.com/gallery/famosos-estrellas-celebridades-violenciadomestica-genero-don-omar-ray-race-rihanna-chris-brown#117936_300831 ix
http://www.peopleenespanol.com/gallery/famosos-estrellas-celebridades-violencia-domesticagenero-don-omar-ray-race-rihanna-chris-brown#117936_300831 x
http://www.peopleenespanol.com/gallery/famosos-estrellas-celebridades-violencia-domesticagenero-don-omar-ray-race-rihanna-chris-brown#117936_300831 xi
http://www.peopleenespanol.com/gallery/famosos-estrellas-celebridades-violencia-domesticagenero-don-omar-ray-race-rihanna-chris-brown#117936_300831 xii
http://www.peopleenespanol.com/gallery/famosos-estrellas-celebridades-violenciadomestica-genero-don-omar-ray-race-rihanna-chris-brown#117936_300831 xiii
http://www.peopleenespanol.com/gallery/famosos-estrellas-celebridades-violenciadomestica-genero-don-omar-ray-race-rihanna-chris-brown#117936_300831 xiv
http://www.peopleenespanol.com/gallery/famosos-estrellas-celebridades-violenciadomestica-genero-don-omar-ray-race-rihanna-chris-brown#117936_300831 xv
http://www.peopleenespanol.com/gallery/famosos-estrellas-celebridades-violencia-domesticagenero-don-omar-ray-race-rihanna-chris-brown#117936_300831 xvi
http://speakingofwomensrights.blogspot.com.ar/2010/10/color-purple.html
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnqc-nzrpqI
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http://imagebasket.net/671-stop-domestic-violence-images.php?pics=true
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