4 Effective Solutions To Domestic Violence

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Domestic violence is more than just a relationship issue; it is a crime. Solutions to domestic violence need to include both short and long-term strategies. 

Short-term strategies should be made up of assistance programs that defend people who have witnessed or are currently being abused. 

They frequently focus on the critical period faced by the victim after they leave home and are provided with food, shelter, and guidance. This is when the woman or man who is the victim of abuse is most vulnerable. 

It is the time that the victim seeks retribution from the abuser or when she may be forced to go back to the house out of desperation. 

Long-term strategies aim to educate the public and empower the victim to reinstate her life without violence. It also includes developing programs that create an atmosphere against domestic violence in the community.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence involves various types of abuse, including physical assaults, verbal attacks, and emotional manipulation. 

If you are in a domestic violence situation, you may wonder about ways to stop domestic violence, but the reality is that relationships with domestic violence rarely improve. 

Given the numerous types of domestic violence, there are also a variety of adverse effects associated with being a victim of domestic violence. These include: 

• Losing a sense of individuality 
• Adverse effects on children, such as the inability to express empathy 
• Lack of confidence
• Isolation from family and friends
• Feelings of incompetence 
• Dependence upon the abuser
• Feeling helpless or paralyzed 
• Doubting your ability to take care of yourself
• Becoming depressed or anxious 

How can we prevent domestic violence

Precaution is better than figuring out the cure once the damage has happened. It is better to take care of things when you have the time than to try to set things right after things have gone wrong. 

Setting the right foundation for a relationship can ensure that there is no scope for domestic violence to exist or escalate. There are limits set that ensure both partners’ mutual respect and protection.

You can learn more about the compelling ways for domestic violence prevention to better handle these critical situations.

4 effective solutions to domestic violence

Any intervention given to the survivors of domestic violence needs to include interrelationships among health, legal, and social sectors to ensure that stability is maintained and that the victim is not constantly referred to a new agency. 

One ground-breaking strategy is to use “family crisis centers” or “victim advocates” to serve as the victim’s connection to several sectors.

Solutions to domestic violence can be provided in the following forms:

1. Availability of crisis intervention strategies

One of the most important solutions to domestic violence is a set of resources that are readily available at the 

• Provision of crisis intervention services
• The use of crisis hotlines
•  Provision of shelters or other emergency residential facilities
•  Provision of medical services
•  Supply of adequate transportation networks
•  Enactment of laws that allow the victims of abuse or the abusers to be taken away from home.

Related Reading: How to Save a Relationship in Crisis: 10 Ways

2. Provision of emotional support

The abuse victims need to be provided with emotional support when looking for solutions to domestic violence. You can use the following means for this:

• Provision of self-help through support groups
• Provision of assertiveness training to the victims of abuse
• Helping the victims to build self-esteem and self-confidence
• Organizing sessions that teach people solutions to domestic violence
• Developing courses on parenting skills

Related Reading: 15 Ways to Improve Emotional Support in Your Relationship

Watch this video to learn how to help someone you love:

3. Provision of advocacy and legal assistance

The advocacy and legal assistance programs are an important aspect of the solutions to domestic violence. These need to include the following:

• Access to and custody of children
• Solving issues with property distribution among the partners
• Provision of financial support
• The use of restraining orders against the abuser
• Provision of public assistance benefits
• Helping victims gain immigration status

4. Provision of supplementary support services:

Solutions to domestic violence also include:

• Provision of housing and safe accommodations
• Provision of childcare
• Making it easy for victims to access the community services

Researchers think that the best solution for domestic violence is to prevent people from becoming abusers in the first place. A lot of strategies concerning this show that this is possible.

Extensive, cultural messages usually make a difference not merely in what youngsters witness and hear from their families and neighbors but also from those who are their role models on television and in sporting arenas.

Additionally, several researchers think that children can potentially be directly trained at their schools and by their parents about the steps to end domestic violence.

The researchers believe that children should be taught how men should treat women and the appropriate ways to suitably express their emotions.

According to Christiana Njoku, a licensed professional counselor and relationship coach:

Men also go through a whole lot and have emotions to express, but most times, they suppress their emotions because society expects them not to cry.

Boys and men should be raised with the knowledge that it is okay for men to cry and show some “weak” emotions and that the emotion of anger should not be the only acceptable emotion for boys.

Again, implementing the following will go a long way in providing lasting solutions to domestic violence:

• Make penalties for domestic violence consistent and firm
• Amplify funding for support services
• Alter and redesign the way family courts preside over cases of domestic violence
• Assist women to be economically and otherwise independent

Violence is never okay

If you are in a domestic violence situation, you must have a safety plan during a crisis or episode of violence. This safety plan for how to prevent domestic violence includes what you will do in an emergency that requires you to leave in a hurry.

As Christiana Njoku further says:

A relationship characterized by violence is not healthy and is never a place to be. Avoid it like a plague!

You should work out the safety plan details, including where you will go and how you will be able to leave quickly. 

This may involve keeping your wallet or keys in an easily accessible location or having someone you can call to come and get you in case of an emergency. 

If you have children, including them in the fight against domestic violence may be necessary, including teaching them how to call 911. You may also have a code word you can use to communicate to your children that they need to call the police. 

Your safety plan for reducing domestic violence may include ways to stop domestic violence or reduce the risk of injury during a crisis. 

A safety plan for how to deal with domestic violence can include how you will stay safe during a crisis, as well as how you will stay safe when you prepare to leave the domestic violence situation permanently. 

Related Reading: How To Stop Domestic Violence