Overview of Domestic Violence

• Recent spikes in domestic violence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Increased calls to police and crisis centers globally.

• Specific case examples illustrate the severity of the issue.

Surge in Domestic Violence Cases

Global Context

• Reports of domestic abuse killings rising sharply during isolation periods:

  • 16 domestic violence killings in the UK within three weeks (March-April).

  • 30% increase in domestic violence calls in France.

• Health care workers and advocates express concerns over lost contact with victims during quarantines.

Regional Data

• United States:

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline reports increased calls.

  • Need for safety strategies, such as advice for women to find safe spaces during confrontations.

• Other Countries:

  • China: Reports of severe beatings during lockdown.

  • Italy: Hotels requisitioned for victims when shelters closed.

Prevalence of Domestic Violence

Statistical Data

• 137 women are killed daily by domestic partners worldwide.

• 50% of women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime in certain countries.

• Many nations still have laws that allow spousal violence.

Domestic Violence as a Public Health Crisis

• Identified as a global epidemic by the World Health Organization.

• Correlation between domestic violence and societal issues such as mass shootings.

• Homicide statistics for African-American women and pregnant women in the US highlight vulnerability.

Relationship Between Domestic Violence and Mass Shootings

Key Findings

• 54% of mass shootings in the US were associated with domestic violence.

• Notable case studies of mass shootings linked to prior domestic abuse incidents.

• Domestic violence recognized as a contributing factor to larger patterns of violence in society.

Economic and Social Costs

Financial Implications

• The estimated economic burden of domestic violence: $3.6 trillion in the US.

  • Breakdown includes $2 trillion for medical expenses and $73 billion for criminal justice costs.

• Domestic violence often underreported, misunderstood, and dismissed as a trivial issue.

Societal Perceptions

• Language surrounding domestic violence can downplay its seriousness.

• Terms like “intimate partner violence” or “intimate partner terrorism” are gaining traction.

Insights into the Perpetrators

Case Study: Jimmy Espinoza

• Exploration of the mindset of a perpetrator and the cycle of abuse.

• Espinoza’s rehabilitation efforts and the struggle of recognizing harmful behaviors.

Patterns of Abuse

• Language and psychology used by abusers to manipulate and control.

• Historical context of violence can lead to normalization of aggressive behaviors.

Victim Perspectives

Case Example: Michelle Monson Mosure

• Chronicles the last days of Michelle’s life and her struggle with domestic violence.

• Highlighted systemic failures in the legal response to her situation.

Systemic Challenges

• Recantation of statements by victims often misinterpreted as unreliability, leading to fatal outcomes.

• Importance of understanding victim behavior as a response to fear and lack of protection.

Policy and Legislative Efforts

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

• Overview of VAWA since its introduction in 1994 and its bipartisan support over time.

• Recent challenges to its reauthorization and the “boyfriend loophole” affecting gun possession.

Ongoing Advocacy

• Calls for increased awareness and nuanced approaches to domestic violence.

• Advocacy shifts towards understanding systemic issues rather than victim-blaming.

Conclusion

Need for Change

• The urgency for societal change in attitudes towards domestic violence.

• Acknowledgment that solving domestic violence requires recognizing it as a serious societal issue.