Essay Example on Domestic Violence: Impact on Offender & Victim

Introduction

Domestic violence is abuse in a domestic setting, which involves violence against parents, children or the elderly. The effects of domestic violence are not limited in death, injury, homelessness or disability alone but also emotional and psychological trauma which includes affections. Both the offender and the victim are affected by domestic violence in one way or the other. Theoretical models of aggression have pointed out that violent acts against others lead to a lack of empathy and a deficit of the offender's ability to put himself or herself in the victim's perspective. There is a link between aggression and empathy. For instance, Eaten et. al., assert that offenders have challenges incorrectly identifying emotions such as anger and fear, which have been hypothesized to hinder the compassionate responses of offenders (176). The paper will discuss in detail and demonstrate how domestic violence affects the victim and the offenders.

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Misguidance of Offender's Affection

First, the offender's affection can be disordered by being easily overwhelmed, anxiously irritated and crying without explanation. This is because the offender's closest people are either dull or are avoiding him; hence they cannot give him the company that he enjoyed. Obviously, after getting abused or surviving an abusive situation, the victim tends to find respite by isolating herself or himself from the offender who perhaps they were close with. Even though this can be a temporary fix, it is not a long-term solution to be reclusive because, by nature, human beings are social creatures that need to interact. Offenders, therefore, will get an affective disorder because they will be isolated technically by their loved ones who can be their lovers, children, parents or siblings. Social distancing is a traumatizing thing that can even lead to suicidal thoughts.

Additionally, the offender's affection gets disordered by being uncomfortable because of distrust and mistrust. After being in an abusive relationship, just like victims, offenders have a hard time building connection with other people. Offenders and victims after being in an abusive relationship resulting from domestic violence, they tend to attribute the source of violence to trust issues. Since domestic violence can lead to divorce or social distancing, the offender may become uncomfortable because he or she has violated the inbuilt trust with the partner (Lok et. al. 159). It may imply that the victim cannot be affectionate like before because of the consequences of violence.

Also, just like the victims, offenders' affection is affected by the flashbacks of the abuse. Many people who have caused and experienced domestic violence affirm that they always have flashbacks of the abuse. There is nothing in specific that triggers the flashbacks, but one feels vivid and realistic, making the offender increase pain and guilt feelings. These guilt feelings may leave the offender feeling confused and isolated and feel like there is something wrong in his head. Flashbacks and recurring memories affect affection, and they can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. Just like the victims, many offenders end up developing complex post-traumatic stress disorder because of the repetitive nature of the recurring memories.

Ruminating thoughts, words and events affect the offender's affection negatively. Rumination is where one becomes fixated over a particular event or some words and play them in a continuous loop over and over. When an offender ruminates some of the events and words that occurred during the violence, he becomes agitated, depressed and hopeless hence prolonging his healing process. Some of the events, including words used, are harsh and may limit the offender from seeking forgiveness from the victim (Tsavoussi et. al. 178). To some extent, the offender may think that it is impossible to get back the love he had with his family members since he portrayed his real picture.

Domestic violence to children can lead to hostility towards the child hence rejection. The primary obligation of parents is to show love and care to children, that is, to be affectionate to children. Hostility towards children can lead to emotional neglect; hence the offender may not get the love or affection from the child. In vice-versa, the offender who is a parent or elder sibling at the same time may not express love and show affection to the child or play with the child. When the offender comes to his or her senses, he will experience emotional dissatisfaction since he will interpret that he has failed in his responsibility of creating a good social relationship with his children or younger siblings.

How Affections can be reordered

The affections of offenders can be reordered in several ways. The offender can try to a place that is quiet where he can gather his thoughts and collect himself. He should try some techniques such as breathing exercises that can help in calming down. He can also practice some mindfulness. The offender should acknowledge that he is safe and what happened is just in the past where it belongs. This will help in feeling back to normal and at peace with himself and those around him.

Also, in cases of experiencing flashbacks, abuses, and events of domestic violence, several medical treatments can help reduce these incidents. Medication, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can be used in treating these symptoms (Zaher et.al. 620). Additionally, practices such as meditation, doing some yoga, positive affirmation and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can make the offender recover from affection problems.

Most importantly, affections can be reordered when the offender decides to go for a walk. Also, calling a friend or engaging in some activities can interfere with the urge of ruminating words, thoughts and events. Just like victims, offenders should try much possible not to ruminate words, events, and thoughts that occurred during domestic violence so that they may feel less anxious and less worried. Also, one should engage in activities that he loves most and accepts the violence that took place. Acceptance of a mistake is the first step in solving the situation at hand. After all, the offender may not want to offend a family member after experiencing affection disorder or misguidance. As the offender's heart heals, so will be his ability to trust others. The offender should practice being kind and patient with himself while becoming used to learning how to trust again.

Conclusion

In conclusion, domestic violence affects the victims as well as offenders. However, sharing experiences will help in reducing the effects of loss of affection to the loved ones after domestic violence. Offenders should find a support group and share their minds. The shared collective experience will allow him to realize that he is not alone in an abusive encounter. Abuse is degrading, personal, shameful and humiliating therefore sharing will serve a great deal. Lastly, the offender should practice gratitude even though it may be hard for an offender. It may even sound harsh and wrong, considering that the offender is the cause of violence. However, focusing on what one is grateful for in life can be a healing effect.

Works Cited

Erten, Bilge, and Pinar Keskin. "For better or for worse?: Education and the prevalence of domestic violence in turkey." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 10.1 (2018): 64-105.

Lok, Neslihan, Ceyda Basogul, and Selma Oncel. "Effects of domestic violence on children and significance of psychosocial support." Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar 8.2 (2016): 156-161.

Tsavoussis, Areti, et al. "Child-witnessed domestic violence and its adverse effects on brain development: a call for societal self-examination and awareness." Frontiers in public health 2 (2014): 178.

Zaher, Eman, Kelly Keogh, and Savithiri Ratnapalan. "Effect of domestic violence training: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials." Canadian family physician 60.7 (2014): 618-624.