Domestic Violence- society's responsibility

Domestic violence is a significant problem in todays society.
It's a worldwide problem that exists in all cultures.
Family violence is one of the noted causes for poverty of women
and children, who must depend on public funds for help.
Many lives are ruined in the whole process.
Women sustain permanent physical or psychological injuries
or die at the hands of their abusers.
Men spend time in jail, and the children exposed to domestic
violence may suffer psychologically and physically, and may
grow up to abuse their partners or be abused by them, thus
starting the cycle of abuse again for the next generation.
Research shows that women in heterosexual relationships are
far more likely than men to be abused, although some men are
victims of domestic violence perpetrated by female partners.
Here again I will venture to say in same sex marriages signs of
hidden abuse are appearing.
The main reason abused women stay with their partner is safety
- a woman's risk of being killed by her partner increases when
she leaves the relationship or discuss the turmoil she is
experiencing.
Many women stay with their batterers because they do not have
the economic resources to take care of themselves and their
children.
Before the 1960's Society did not see domestic violence as a
significant public policy problem. Activists began firstly by
organizing shelters for victims of violence, and then began
lobbying for changes in state and federal laws to help battered
women and punish perpetrators.
Domestic violence has a negative effect on children.
Children in violent homes are most likely to be maltreated.
In the event that they are it can affect their outlook on life and
create inappropriate partnership skills.
Children who are exposed to domestic violence are more likely
to be aggressive themselves; exhibit depression, anxiety
and fear; demonstrate lower cognitive ability, and may also
display physical symptoms of stress.
Reaching these children are important to help break the
cycle of abuse.

Until the violence stops, the hotline will continue to answer
…One Call at a Time.
Help is available to callers 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their
behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and
referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands.
Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than
140 languages through interpreter services.
If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your
relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline
U.S.A- 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
CANADIAN HELPLINES:
National Domestic Violence Hotline-
Canada- 1-800-363-9010
In both English and French.

Below a canadian site with lots of information:
http://www.parentsinfo.sympatico.ca/main/2b.html