Domestic Violence - Academic Research Skills

Background

Domestic violence is an assault of any kind committed by one person upon another whether they are married or living together in an established relationship. This will affect the children who are witnessing the scene. Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable (2008) says that they often suffer emotional and psychological trauma from living in homes where their mother is being abused by their father. UNICEF (2006) highlighted those adolescents who are exposed to domestic violence manifest rebellious behaviour such as truancy, running away and dropping out of school or drug/alcohol abuse. Besides, Carlson (1990), Edleson (1999), Khapp (1994), Pediater (2005) found that boys who witness spouse abuse will have the highly chance to use violence than non witnesses. They will learn to use violence in interpersonal relationships to dominate others. For example, they have high risk of abusing their spouse. In addition, Edleson (1999) says some children lose the ability of empathy for others. They show less skill in understanding how others feel and in examining situation from perspectives of others when compared to children of non-violent households. From the overview of the effect of domestic violence, it can be seen that it is a public matter as directly or indirectly it affects the quality of life of the whole society (UNICEF and the Bodyshop International report). However, the cycle of violence for the next generation will be continue if women choose to be quiet and never report when they are being abused. This is due to the unawareness of low educated women on the effect of domestic violence on children. Therefore, this will cause the number of domestic violence is increasing. In Malaysia, the number of domestic violence cases in the year 2002 which is 2755. Moreover, the number of cases had increased to 3,488 throughout 10 years (Royal Malaysia Police and Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development). This will affect the quality of life of the society if the figure keeps on increasing.

Measures need to be taken to raise the awareness of domestic violence among women. Cooperation is needed from public, government and private welfare organisations to educate them on domestic violence. Hence, the research is to find out the level of knowledge and awareness of women on domestic violence.

The implication of this research is that the low education women will be having traditional belief in privacy of the family. They do not want their family matter being publicised. Therefore, they will choose to be quiet when they are encountered in domestic violence. Moreover, due to low educated, they may not know their rights in taking legal actions to protect themselves. In contrast, those women who are highly educated will not have traditional belief and they will take action when they are being abused in order to protect them.

Research problem

The main purpose of the research is to define the level of awareness of women and knowledge on the effect of domestic violence on children in Malaysia.

Objectives

The objectives of the research are:

1. To acquire a sample profile of female residences in Malaysia.
2. To define the knowledge level of women on issues of domestic violence on children in Malaysia.
3. To evaluate the women’s awareness of their rights in taking legal action to protect themselves from domestic violence.
4. To understand how does demographics of women influence the awareness and attitude towards domestic violence.

Research Questions

1. Which education levels of women have more knowledge about the effect of domestic violence on children?
2. How much are the women’s awareness of their rights in taking legal action to protect themselves from domestic violence?
3. Does education level influence the awareness and attitude towards domestic violence?
4. Does socio-status of women influence the awareness and attitude towards domestic violence?

Literature Review        

Domestic violence is considered as critical and underground problem which exists  in Malaysia. During the period of 2007 to the year 2012, a total number of 18,124 domestic violence cases have been reported and the number is still on the rise WCC Penang (2013). The report had acknowledged that its findings are limited by under-reporting of domestic violence cases because of the victims do not confront the issues to bring it to the attention of authorities UNICEF (2006). There are several of elements conduce to the justification that domestic violence is counted as an under-reported criminal offence in Malaysia. It involves of the unwillingness of battered women to publicise their issues and look for aid because of their humiliation, lack of family support and unawareness the seriousness of domestic violence in family HalimahAwang.Sharon Hariharan (2011).

Education levels of women and knowledge about effect of domestic violence on children

The benefit of education for females is not only limited to economic opportunities but able to reduce violence that women faced in the household. With education, the women will be able to understand the effect of domestic violence on children better as well as give the women valid reason to make changes in their life for the sake of their children. Koening et al (2003) and Bates et al (2004) find that education is an important factor to reduce the risk of violence committed at home against women. As they aware the effect of domestic violence on children, they will reduce the risk of violence against themselves in order to protect their children. It is noted that domestic violence is not enclosed to the less developed world but it is a great concern in all over the world (Tauchen and Witte, 1995). Besides, Prof. Marine Chitashvili (2010) mentioned that intention for controlling woman which cause to domestic violence are highly related to the education level. The lower the education level of a woman, the higher the chances of such behaviour happened. The research showed that woman with incomplete secondary education more easier to under her husband’s control than the woman which complete secondary education, professional, as well as higher education level.

Women’s awareness on their rights in taking legal action to protect themselves from domestic violence

HalimahAwang. Sharon Hariharan (2011) says that woman who does not report the domestic violence because they believe that the legal system could not help them. This shows that the women are unaware that they have their right in taking legal action to defend themselves from physical abuse. Therefore, understanding of women’s rights is very important which taking legal action to protect them from violence. “Some women who are suffering in violent environment unaware of their rights in taking legal action that they can report their case and they will be protected by government,” said al-Taweel who is Vice-Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees. According to (Stainstreet et al, 2005), it is important for women to access the laws and services in order to give them support and protect them when they are encountered in domestic violence. Generally, people fear the law, legal procedures and punishment but only through fear, it will not possible to eliminate violence, immorality and injustice against women. Strong law enforcement is required if domestic violence against women is to be stopped. People should be educated about the laws and cultured to practice the establishment of human rights to ensure meaningful everyday lives for all citizens (Ashrafun, Laila 2013).