Chapter 4 Violence and Abuse Societal Challenges Violence

Chapter 4 Violence and Abuse Societal Challenges Violence in Canada

What is violence? A set of Behaviours that produce injuries and the outcomes of these Behaviours……personal • 1988 - ranked 5 th. In the world for victimization rates with force • • • Riots…. sporting events political confrontation personal violence racial/ethnic minorities family…women/children injury!!!!!

Underlying Causes of Violence & Abuse • Social, cultural and individual factors • Poverty, unemployment, hopelessness, education, housing, parents (role models), social support systems, discriminatory behaviors……. • Homicide: Deaths that results from intent to injure or kill • 586 in 1995 - lower than 1975 • US - 4 times as many

Who Kills? ? ? Most likely you know them!!!! • 47% - acquaintance • 36% - spouse Victims: • males 67% • committed 87% • Guns - US 29% military • Canada - 6%

Suicide: anger, rage & hopelessness turned inward! • Self-violence“a cry for help” • • • emotional pain neurobiological / psychological 1992 - 2923 men - 786 women One every 2 hours! Leading cause of death men 30 - 34 35 - 45 decrease in rates 45 and increase in rates First Nations - 5 times Greater!

Youth Violence • • • Is youth crime increasing? “Zero Tolerance in Schools” more crimes reported! Late teens - 53% of total targets - 12 to 17 year olds • many young offenders in Canada due to a lack of alternative approaches

The Violence of Hate • Welcome other cultures while marginalizing First Nations people • Acceptance decreases as differences between cultures & physical appearance widens • Northern European appearance -the stereotype! • prejudice and racism part of Canadian society

Preventing Hate and Bias Crimes • • Intolerance…… why? personal attitudes/behaviors fear of change blaming others economy education understanding/appreciation interactions/stereotypes • racist jokes / ethnic bigotry • leadership - promoting understanding and appreciation for diversity

Violence Against Women 1 in 4 women living with a man is abused each year • Police & RCMP can lay charges…. . ” • reasonable and probable grounds” • takes responsibility from victim • “Montreal Massacre” 1989 - 14 women died • Violence is alive and well in Canada

Domestic Violence & Discrimination: a Global Issue • United Nations - passed a declaration to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women • 1993 - 29% Women experienced violence from men • 2. 8 million partnerships in Canada

Repeated Beatings…. . Why! Doesn’t she just leave him? • • • Children financially dependent fear - retaliation hope for change cultural/religious beliefs forbid divorce • love • co-dependency

The Cycle of Violence Theory the downward spiral……. . Phases: One: Tension Building • minor battering, women nurture, pleasing, guilt, and needs. Two: Acute Battering • pleasing doesn’t work • can’t control or predict abuse • teach a lessen • smoothed over

Cycle of Violence …. Continued! Three: Remorse / Reconciliation • batterer may be kind, loving, apologetic • “…. Never Again……. ” • lasts - a month, a week ? ? • “it wasn’t that bad, he is a good man deep down!” • Happens again!!! • Cycle must be broken! • Out side help best!!

Other Stressors which may contribute to abuse and neglect…. . • Unwanted child • unsupported single parent household • no financial support • unemployment • substance abuse domestic violence, sexual abuse…….

Violence Against Children • Found in all societies • secretive • 1 in 5000 to 1 in 10000 under five die / year • Physical violence - lack of parenting skills • culture & corporal punishment

…………………. . . Sexual Abuse • Trusted individual / authority figure • family member / often male • people who suffered sexual abuse themselves - high risk! • Normal reactions to harm are anger and pain • forbidden to expressed / repressed - forgotten • problems surface later criminal behaviour / mass murder or to self - alcohol abuse

Street Children…. • Both developed and undeveloped countries • better to be harmed by a stranger then a family member • trust for caregiver broken • later in life when safer will remember and can heal

Violence Against Men • • Violence of men on other men 48 000 assaults - 1995 young men most likely involved 34 years only 6% of the time by a women A MALE ISSUE!!! For Society competitiveness, power and control are valued male attributes violence - expression of frustration and stress

Violence Against Seniors • • Physical abuse neglect chronic verbal aggression material abuse 4% of Canadians (65 yrs) experienced abuse mostly female spouse or child feel vulnerable…. .

Sexual Victimization • Sexual assault - power imbalance in society • 83% men assaulted women • violence is implicit for sexual exploitation • 84% of University students knew their attacker • 57% of rapes were on a date • Why some males sexually assault women….

Prevention Assaults • Home • Streets • Car • Health and Violence • Which of the dimensions of health are compromised?