Enabling Youth to Stop the Cycle of Domestic Violence

There is a national predicament bestowed upon America's youth. Every year, nearly 2.3 million people in the United States are physically assaulted and / or raped by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend. The majority of the victims are female, however, males do fall victim to domestic violence too. According to the Bureau of Justice 90 to 95 percent of domestic violence victims are women. Nonetheless, of that percentage the most vulnerable are America's youth, who fall between the ages of 16 and 24. Young people across America not only experience high levels of aggression, but often face matchless barriers in finding help to console their crisis.

Startling statistics show that women are more likely to be injured, raped or killed by a current or former partner than any other person.[1] At least 37% of female patients and 17% of all patients treated in hospital emergency departments for violence related injuries were injured by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend. [2]Domestic violence is prevalent in teenagers, with one-third reporting some kind of abuse in their romantic relationships, including verbal or emotional abuse. [3]

This research paper will analyze and study domestic violence in youth dating relationships and will focus primarily on people ranging from the ages of 16 to 24. The paper will concentrate on domestic violence and abuse on people in California and make reference to the national average. Two theories the paper will utilize is Social Learning Theory and Sex-Role Theory.

Domestic violence is understood to be prevalent across the United States and in California. However, its full effects on individuals, families and society, on health care, social services and law enforcement, are unclear. Domestic violence follows a sequence of abusive patterns in romantic relationships or between family members. This may include abuse by a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse or parent. The abusive behaviors can include physical, sexual, verbal and /or emotional abuse. Often, an abusive partner does this to have power and control over his / her victim.