Gender and its affect on citizen's perceptions about punishment for domestic violence
Abstract
This study aimed to assess whether gender affected citizens' perceptions about punishment for domestic violence taking place within the United States. The research was conducted in order to answer three questions, including discovering: 1) the major differences between the way that men and women view punishment for domestic violence, 2) the forms of punishment that are supported by the different genders for those convicted of domestic violence and 3) how far can gender explain differences in opinion regarding domestic violence as an overall issue in society? This study was completed using a quantitative research methodology with a focus on gaining statistical data, as well as simple convenience sampling, to assess the gender-based perceptions of the phenomenon of punishment for domestic violence. One hundred male and one hundred female participants took part in a convenience sampling. Each participant was provided with a survey of closed responses, in which they had to respond with a level of agreement or disagreement to each statement regarding domestic violence punishment. The study found that gender-based domestic violence is a rapidly increasing vice in modern society. Victims, who experienced domestic violence, tend to suffer a range of physical and psychological problems, usually in silence. In the paper, it is suggested that the identification of various victims of gender-based domestic violence should be prioritized and accorded due prominence. This can only be achieved through legal reform. The law should be more proactive in advocating for a just and fair punishment for perpetrators of domestic violence. In particular, the law should better ensure the rights of victims, who often fail to report crime and are silent due to fear or shame. The research stresses that the legislation establishing provisions aimed at appropriate treatment of domestic violence perpetrators should be formulated with recognition of the fact that domestic violence is unacceptable in whatever form it may assume and regardless of the targeted victim. The law shall also specify various interventions to provide victims of domestic violence with adequate and proper protection against their perpetrators by expediting domestic violence cases and empowering the court to deliberate on effective measures that would promote safe and appropriate legal processes.
Subject Area
Social research|Law|Criminology|Gender studies
Recommended Citation
Musaad Alshammari,
"Gender and its affect on citizen's perceptions about punishment for domestic violence"
(2014).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI1584206.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI1584206