by Sharon A. Walsh

Created on: May 26, 2009   Last Updated: May 27, 2009

Domestic Violence is a problem that typically occurs in intimate relationships. Domestic Violence, as many of us know, surrounds the issue of control. Domestic Violence involves the use of physical and or emotional abuse by one to maintain control over another. Many abusers abuse because of an imbalance of power. Women are at risk of being subjected to Domestic Violence in their relationships with men because of an imbalance of physical power.

Part of the problem with Domestic Violence is that many view it and treat it as if it were a problem between a couple. Domestic Violence does not involve a problem that is between a couple. The problem is the one who is directing abuse at the other. Courts, law enforcement, counselors and society alike, mistakenly treat couples as if they are over-reacting to problems that are between them. In order to treat the problem of Domestic Violence more effectively, we need to focus more on the abuser because the abuser is the problem.

Lack of accountability for the abusers

Because Domestic Violence is treated by many as if a couple is just over-reacting to a problem that is between them, abusers may escape accountability. Abusers may escape accountability because of the lack of awareness throughout our legal system, law enforcement, counseling agencies and our communities that the abuser is the problem. Some abusers will try to avoid accountability by threatening their partners, to prevent them from exposing the abuse.

Lack of protection for the victims

The Domestic Violence problem may continue because there is not enough protection for the victim. Should the abuse be reported and the abuser is held accountable, there is a lack of protection for the victim once the abuser is released. This lack of protection may cause the partner not to report the abuse due to fear of retaliation from the abuser.

If the partner has the resources to leave the abusive environment, the abuser may stalk and place the partner at risk. A partner may have to file for a restraining order to keep their abuser at bay. A restraining order/protection order is an order made by the court to force the abuser to stay away from his partner. Sometimes, a restraining/protection order is not enough to keep an abuser at bay.

Many abusers will try to manipulate their partners to return or will prevent them from leaving the abusive environment just to force them to accept their abuse. Abuse is a violation of one's human civil rights and is

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