In the United States, a woman is more likely to be assaulted, injured, raped or killed by a male partner than by any other type of assailant (Fact sheets 1991). Violence will occur in two-third of these women's marriages (Fact sheets 1991). Domestic violence doesn't discriminate. This crime happens to all races, classes, religions, and sexes. Society needs to make domestic violence a priority by finding new, more effective ways to stop the violent cycle. The current strategies are not working.
             When I read about all of the abuse among relationships, I always ask my self what is the reason for this crime. It is believed that both men and women are equally violent but women are more likely to report the crime than men because most of the time, men are ashamed of being battered by a female. Domestic violence is a crime and there is no excuse for this to take place. There are many thoughts on to why this occurs. It is said to be intergenerational. There is evidence that it may pass from parents to kids. Boys who witness their mother's abuse are more likely to batter their female partners as adults than boys who were raised in nonviolent homes (Healey 1995). However not all abusers grew up in a violent environment. Other reasons may be stress related. The perpetrator might be stressed at work and my come home and take it out on his or her family. Other reasons might be drug or alcohol related meaning that the abuse only occurs when under the influence.
             A cycle occurs in domestic violence. When the couple meets and a short time after, they are in the honeymoon phase when everything seems to be going great and there seems to be no major problems occurring. After a while the tension phase begins to appear, the relationship may appear to be a little strained and a lot more verbal fights may occur. Finally the abusive phase occurs. Within this phase many types of abuse can occur including being ignored, insulted, being ...