Meaning of family violence (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Family Violence:

The family violence or domestic abuse is a type that occurs when one of the members of the family incurs, deliberately to abuse physically or emotionally to another.

The domestic violence usually occurs in the home environment, but can also occur in other places, as long as they are involved two people related by consanguinity or affinity.

In situations of family violence, there are two roles, one active, of the abuser, and another passive, of the person who suffers abuse. The abuser is usually a person who imposes his authority, physical force, or power to abuse another member of his family.

The abuse, usually consist of physical assaults, impositions or ill - treatment, and can cause physical injury, such as bruising or bone fractures or psychological, such as depression, anxiety, low self - esteem or social isolation.

As such, it is classified as a public health problem and, consequently, requires policies, programs, and campaigns issued by the competent organizations to prevent and raise awareness among the population about the consequences of intra-family violence and to encourage the reporting of this type of situation. Thus, despite the fact that it is punishable by law and carries a series of legal sanctions, many people, out of fear or misinformation, do not do so.

Types of family violence

Physical violence

The physical violence is one where an individual is imposed to another by use of force, infringiéndole minor injury, not requiring medical care, or other more serious, such as bone fractures, bruising, bleeding, burns, etc. It is a very serious type of violence, since it threatens the physical integrity of the person and in extreme cases can lead to death.

Emotional violence

The emotional violence involves a number of behaviors that may include verbal abuse, abandonment, rejection, intimidation, blackmail, manipulation or isolation. In general, the victim is subjected to strong regimes of humiliation, insults or disqualification, affecting their self-esteem and self-confidence, and generating depressive behaviors.

Sexual violence

The sexual violence occurs when a person is forced to have, against their will, any kind of sexual contact or relationship. It manifests itself through harassment, abuse, rape, or incest. This type of aggression is very serious, since it strongly damages the emotional stability of those who suffer from it.