Socioeconomic Status and Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is pandemic and affects women and families all over the world. It involves the systematic use of violence and abuse to gain power over and to control a partner of ex-partner (DVIP). Forms of domestic violence include any physical or sexual contact, aggression or violence that is unwanted and may take the form of threats, harassment, verbal abuse, hitting, kicking, etc. (DVIP). It is estimated that 20 to 50 percent of the world\u27s female population will be victims of domestic violence (Feminist Majority), and in the United States, it is estimated that at some point in their lives, 24 to 34 percent of all women will be physically assaulted by an intimate partner (Weinbaum, et al, 2001 : 313). In addition, one third of female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by their husband or partner (Kyriacou, et al, 1999), and every year two to three million women are victims of assault at the hands of male partners