Kofman, Y. B., and D. R. Garfin. “Home is not always a haven: The domestic violence crisis amid the COVID-19 pandemic.” Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, vol. 12, no. S1, 2020, pp. S199-S201. Web.
The article written by Kofman and Garfin describes how the social disruption caused by the novel COVID-19 pandemic not being the only witnessed form of unrest ravaging the globe. The pandemic has exceptionally created an alteration of all sectors in society as governments seek to initiate safety measures. They further assert the emergence of domestic violence across United States (U.S) and in other international borders due to enforced orders to stay-at-home. The two authors describe domestic violence as an epidemic hidden from our current mandated and necessary state being secluded. They perceive the victims as being forced to stay in unsafe homes, which was initially viewed as a secure haven for individuals. This is because of the pursuit for mitigation steps which the States sought from a larger perspective. They relate the increase in violence due to the confinement of victims with their supposed abusers and offenders. They believe the escalating domestic violence cases would be reduced given psychological aid, resources and funds were allocated to front liners, survivors, and victims. This support will be essential to overcome trauma which may be blamed for the increase in domestic violence in the U.S.
Mazza, M., et al. “Danger in danger: Interpersonal violence during COVID-19 quarantine.” Psychiatry Research, vol. 289, 2020, p. 113046. Web.
The authors of this article focus on the lurking danger arising from the move to quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. They describe the threat they represent as interpersonal violence caused by traumatic experiences family members are subjected to and forced to pass through. The violence is being perpetrated among the intimate partners in different forms, such as sexually, physically, stalking, or emotionally. They describe homes as unsecured and unsafe places during this COVID-19 period since most domestic violence is likely to be drawn from these environments. The writers associate the upsurge in domestic violence during this COVID-19 pandemic with the quarantine measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. They recommend the formulation and incorporation of programs seeking to prevent and reduce domestic violence acts. They further assert the need to include correct evaluation dynamics of abuses that trained staff who have bestowed the duty for offering multidiscipline. The recommended professionals essential for assessment are such as psychologists, psychiatrists, legal and social workers. They believe such measures would eliminate the cases of domestic violence in the future.
San Francisco Chronicle. “Letters to the Editor: Work Together to Prevent Domestic Violence.” San Francisco Chronicle, 2021. Web.
The author of the editorial seeks to support the District Attorney for his decision of failing to prosecute a caretaker accused of domestic violence against an 8-month-old infant child. The author’s provision for the support is the requirement for the District Attorney to prosecute concerning the presented evidence. In this case, the prosecutor’s inability to avail proof seems to be at fault. The author further asserts and advocates for the need to cooperate and collaborate to ensure all have tackled domestic violence. This, according to the author, is a way of avoiding shifting blames to individuals. Instead, it would be a collective responsibility of all people. The commitment being pushed by the District Attorney needs to be embraced by everyone to assist in comprehensively addressing the matter of domestic violence. Similarly, the need to avail counseling is essential and vital in helping the victims of domestic violence. The author of the letter believes the participation of all people towards reducing the cases of domestic violence is critical to overcoming the vice.
Argumentative Text
The period of COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed an increased in the number of domestic violence victims in the U.S. This upsurge in domestic violence during the pandemic is not only appalling to me but calls for the need to evaluate and make a resolve about the issue (Kofman and Garfin, 199). They say in the editorial titled ‘Work together to prevent domestic violence, an arising need to include different organs in trying to provide a lasting solution to domestic violence is required (San Francisco Chronicle). I say and believe working together is essential to ensuring the number of registered domestic violence cases have been significantly reduced and mitigated in, say, the U.S. Therefore, there arises the need to ensure groups of individuals work together to ensure domestic violence has been totally eradicated after the provision of a solution to the recurrent issue.
They blamed the District Attorney for failure to prosecute a caretaker charged for the death of a 7-month-old child who succumbed on the caretaker’s hands. A District Attorney is ethically restricted from prosecuting cases that fail to prove in a criminal court of law (San Francisco Chronicle). The prosecutor was unable to present evidence proving the charges were to blame for the release of the caretaker. I say and believe the prosecution of a suspect to domestic violence will be possible provided the prosecutors availed adequate evidence substantiating and linking the suspect to the crime. Failure to provide evidence leaves the District Attorney with no option but to set the suspect free.
They say the masses should stop shifting blame to the District Attorney and assist him in looking for a comprehensive remedy likely to address the needs of the survivors. By doing this, the problem of victimization would be eradicated in the future (San Francisco Chronicle). I say and believe domestic violence would be effectively stopped if all citizens in the U.S are committed to tackling the vice through the provision of counseling and assisting the victims of such crimes (Mazza et al. 2). The probable best assistance is to transport to nearby organizations to access help or similarly provide accommodation for the victims. The desire to offer a helping hand to the victims is essential to exposing the hidden aspects of domestic violence.
They say shifting blames from one section to the other would not be helpful, but rather the need to work together would be essential and effective. I say and believe that victimization will discourage victims from seeking assistance and remaining silent as the vice continues to become more lethal (Mazza et al., 1). The growth of domestic violence to a more deadly form may result in death. Therefore, it would be appropriate to encourage the victims to speak up by registering their complaints and avoid being harmed in the future by their tormentors.
In conclusion, the escalating problem of domestic violence is a paramount issue which requires to be urgently and thoroughly evaluated for it to be mitigated. The eradication and mitigation of this vice involve the participation of everyone since it universally impacts everyone’s livelihood. Similarly, shifting blame would be eradicated since the decision made would have been realized after the inclusion of different groups. I further believe the incorporation of trained personnel to offer psychological and psychiatric services to the victims of domestic violence is essential. The designing and formulation of the organization to take and register complaints of domestic violence victims are necessary to eradicate the instances of victimization.