Introduction
Domestic violence is a rather concerning issue, as it is hard to overcome. Even nowadays, this problem is met with stigma and insensitive stereotypes, such as the belief that the victim may easily leave or that they are somehow to blame for this. However, the fault in this deed always lies in the perpetrator, never the one who suffers from it. The following essay will review some sources regarding the topic.
Connections Between the Video and Course Material
Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, society plays a significant role in victims’ reluctance to get the help they need. In the video “Hindered Help: African American Partner Violence Victims,” the narrator Bernadine Waller discusses this aspect and how it affects black women (TEDx Talks, 2016). She addresses physical abuse, which has been discussed in the article Domestic Abuse.
Moreover, the woman mentions struggling with depression due to the ordeal, which is common among domestic violence victims due to the loss of self-worth (HelpGuide.org, 2022). They often struggle with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder as well (NCADV, n. d.). It confirms the impact of having to live in an abusive environment. The video does not contradict any of the facts mentioned in the other sources; it merely adds cultural context to the matter.
Another moment the narrator mentions is how helpful or even life-saving an appropriate approach to the problem can be. One may think that a person dealing with domestic violence is merely the latter’s business. However, this is not the case in these situations.
A helping hand directed towards the victim can demonstrate that there is a way out of this ordeal. This is emphasized by the narrator’s statement that the victims may sometimes not be able to receive the help they need. This is why assistance in such a case can be more valuable than one may think.
New Insights and Added Depth from the Film
The video provided adds some valuable information to the subject matter as well. As mentioned earlier, Waller discusses how this issue affects African American women. One of the aspects missing in conversations surrounding domestic violence is how people from different cultures struggle and cope with it. As the woman mentions, black women are expected to be strong and help their partners. Unfortunately, the pressure to be strong and lack vulnerability exposes them to the bigoted “angry black woman” stereotype.
Because law enforcement may lack the cultural training to help black DV victims, they address this situation poorly and even in a damaging way. These circumstances make it harder for them to acquire the assistance they need and to ensure that their abuser faces accountability and punishment. On the one hand, black women are pressured into constantly being strong and independent due to cultural expectations. On the other hand, the people around them fail to get the help they need due to the inaccurate and misguided stereotypes.
Generally speaking, the video provided a different perspective on domestic violence, adding to the facts mentioned in the other sources. Cultural sensitivity and context are other valuable factors that add to the discussion and the course material. By learning about these aspects, there is a better chance of approaching this issue more appropriately.
Had the law enforcement officials been aware of the cultural context of the woman’s environment, they could have assisted her better. This would have decreased the chances of them taking counterproductive and detrimental measures, similar to the ones they took. That way, more victims will be able to receive protection and guidance.
Application to Personal or Observed Life Experiences
This information is quite close to the experience of a person I knew as a child. It was a middle-aged woman who was twice my age and lived next door. She always wore long-sleeved shirts, even in the summer, and would wear too much foundation. At the time, I did not understand why the lady was doing it, nor did I even assume that something this grim was going on in her life.
This neighbor was an actual domestic violence victim, who always seemed somewhat depressed and insecure; however, I did not know about this back then. I never even asked the woman why she wore long-sleeved shirts during hot weather, and she always seemed sad. However, this kind of story emphasizes how devastating and common domestic violence is. At some point in our lives, we may know or have known someone struggling with this issue. This is why raising awareness and discussing domestic violence is rather crucial.
Conclusion
In conclusion, domestic violence is a rather concerning and complicated issue. The video “Hindered Help” talks about the matter from the perspective of a black woman. This video accentuates some of the points mentioned in the previous sources. For example, it mentions how devastating this ordeal is for the victim, resulting in depression and deprivation of self-worth.
Another aspect mentioned in this TED Talk is how life-saving interventions can be. However, it adds the cultural aspect of domestic violence, which was not addressed in the other sources. Lack of cultural training makes some victims reluctant to get help, as they fear being misunderstood. Unfortunately, domestic violence is a relatively common issue, and I knew one victim personally. I did not know she struggled with this problem then; however, it shows how frequent such cases are.
References
HelpGuide.org. (2022). Domestic violence and abuse. Web.
NCADV. (n.d.). NCADV. The Nation’s Leading Grassroots Voice on Domestic Violence. Web.
TEDx Talks. (2016). Hindered Help: African American Partner Violence Victims | Bernadine Waller | TEDxAdelphiUniversity. YouTube. Web.