Domestic Violence: Not So Bad?

Do you support domestic violence, rape, or physical abuse against women?  Probably not. However, today's society is sending mixed signals on this issue. 

Recent debates in the U.S. House of Representatives points to confusion on what constitutes rape. 

Some of these lawmakers went as far as to use the words “forcible rape,” a term constructed as to not include date rape, statutory rape, or rape where a woman had been drugged to further restrict abortion funding.  

In other words, it would not really be rape, to House Republicans, unless a woman was struggling to get away in the moment and the aggressor was a complete stranger. Outside of these narrow political minds, though, most people would understand the term “forcible rape” to be redundant. 

Conservative lawmakers are not the only ones sending mixed signals on rape and domestic violence. American celebrities cannot figure it out either. Rihanna, a pop music star, was physically abused by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown, also a music celebrity. It took her a while to figure out the relationship was unhealthy, despite plenty of media talk condemning the violence.

Then, she agreed to be featured on rapper Eminem’s single “Love the Way You Lie.”

The music video makes domestic violence sexy, showing the sensual couple in several physical altercations that merge intense pleasure with tragic violence.  The video shows that relationships are passionate, and carries this logic to the extreme: without violence in your relationship, you really may not really love one another deep enough.

This is a serious problem.

According to domestic violence statistics, in the U.S. every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten, and approximately 10 million children witness domestic violence each year.

With all the mixed messages surrounding this topic, what will these 10 million children think? It is well known that children who have witnessed domestic violence are more likely to be in an abusive relationship.  Chris Brown, the abusive rapper mentioned before, witnessed his mother’s abuse as a child.

This blog's purpose is to take a clear stance: domestic violence is wrong. I hope to give you insight on today's domestic violence problem and ways that you can help. It is important that we recognize the mixed signals that our society is sending. 

Domestic violence is a serious problem and we must take steps to change it.