Free Domestic Violence On Physical Abuse With High Profile Cases Involving Famous People And Low Profile Cases Involving Common People. Term Paper Example

Abstract

Domestic violence although said to be under control, is a degradation of humanity. In most cases, victims try to convince themselves that they are the cause of the violence and if they behaved differently, the violence would not have been there in the first place. However, no individual should be subjected to such treatment. For years, matters of Domestic violence have proved hard to handle when the offender is a famous individual. It is logic enough that we are equal under the law. The society rebukes judges for giving petty penalty to famous domestic violent offenders. On the other hand, the media’s publicity of these cases at times creates depression and withdrawal of victims from cases.
Domestic violence is any psychological, financial, sexual, or physical abuse that individuals use on their current, former partners or at times family members. In most cases, the offense happens between individuals who are intimate, dating, in a relationship or simply people who are living under the same roof. Records of this crime show that people whom the victims of this type of violence trust and respect often do the offense. Domestic violence cases for years have proved too difficult to prosecute for the reason of the nature of the offense having in mind the victim in the case. Logic in handling these cases dictates that the case requires high-level handling in regards to the victim's support and care. For that reason, most high-level cases of domestic violence have been seen to have more discretion from judges compared to those of low profile domestic cases. However, the law as well as the Declaration of Independence states that all people are born equal. Therefore, there should be no discrepancies in handling any case whatsoever. This paper looks at what makes high profile domestic violence cases different from low profile cases. Additionally, it looks at the role of the media in these cases and further explains the society’s perception on penalties given to high-level offenders of domestic violence cases.

The difference between the high profile and the low profile domestic violence cases

Discourses have risen on the handling of issues pertaining to domestic violence that involve higher level or famous people. The argument has always been that domestic cases that involve famous people are handled differently in comparison to the same cases that involve low profile individuals yet the law equates us all. The question that arises then from these discourses is the major gap between the law and the courts when it comes to handling matters pertaining to domestic violence. In answering the question, an individual should understand that, domestic violence requires a well-considered plan to enhance the safety for victims and immediate families, which includes children. One that is well-grounded in the best accessible confirmation and results from the most current activities (TOD violence, 2005). A genuine controversy is with the current treatment of these cases. In the event of developing a tactical plan to minimize domestic violence in the state and its environs, the wide-ranging possibility of divergence in the society should be addressed on the best evidence possible and available. The evidence should be taken to the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence who should handle it carefully and deliver it on time to the courts (Sampson, 2006).
In 1994, The Congress passed a law on violence against women. The law was passed because of the high rate of domestic violence before passing of the bill in that time. This law had some notable significant effects and the number of cases reported reduced. However, the law was not enough to stop these types of violence from happening. In the U.S. alone, the records of cases of domestic violence are at 20% and 3% of all nonfatal reported crimes against women and men respectively (Sampson, 2006).
The provision of domestic violence should work with the criminal justice as well as the public safety council to prepare and reduce the violence thus bridging the gap between the law and the courts. The plan is supposed to have clearly mentioned the handling of such cases should be timely, be transparent (Cowper, 2012). The court in British Columbia looks at the criminal sanctions as a means to make people understand the societal rejections and the condemnation of the domestic violence. To them, the court justice system is what is perceived to be the only institution that has the power to keep women and children safe from such issues as violence (Cowper, 2012). In understanding what happens to the cases involving high profile individuals, one may look at the whole issue both from the self-reported victimization and from the reported offenses side (Cowper, 2012). Additionally, the location of the domestic crime matters when it comes to reporting of cases violence against women. Coy, Liz, and Foord in their report on ‘Map of Gaps 2' state that in new Yorkshire, Humber and West Midlands there are few expert services relating to domestic violence reporting (n.d). Additionally, Southeast of England, East, and Southwest are underserved with the specialized services (Coy, Kelly & Foord, n.d.). As a result, very few crimes of these magnitudes that are taken to the authority and if they are, the judge at times owes the offender a favor that the accused uses to influence the case.

Role of the media in high profile cases of domestic violence

The media tries to create awareness in the inhuman conduct; a lot needs to be done within a given period to reduce and finally put a stop to these crimes. In most cases, domestic violence cases brought to light by the media about high profile individuals creates a lot of heat to not only the offender but the victim as well. Janay Rice case in 2014 saw her turn to defend her husband Ray Rice after a domestic violence act shows what victim undergo through (Sheets, 2014). To some extent when the punishment of Ray Rice is looked into carefully, it is evident enough for an individual to conclude that domestic violent offenders who are famous are treated differently from those who are not known. For instance, the punishment for rice was a two-game ban by the National Football League (NFL) and an additional 525,000 plus worth of fines in pay for the damages caused. Further, if the professional NFL player would just stay out of trouble for a period of one year, it is reported that his record would be expunged (Sheets, 2014). The effects of media on such cases have a profound outcome to the victim, in that the whole case and publicity may make him, or her withdraw the case. Others go to the extent of, not showing up for the court proceedings leading to case dismiss.
When the NFL gave Ray Rice an indefinite suspension, he went to court and the judge vacated his suspension by justifying that the verdict was reached on arbitrary grounds. Looking at the same case that involves a commoner who is an offender in a domestic violence crime, the case is looked at from two different angles. Depending on the damages inflicted on a victim, the case may be either a felony or a misdemeanor (Sheets, 2014). Different from the high-profile case, in this case, the punishment may involve mandatory treatment programs, jail sentences, and at times impose restrictions. The reporting of these cases to the public and the concern it creates is enough to subject a victim to commit suicide or fall into depression for the tainted image it creates. In other incidences, the victims blame himself or herself for the abuse and at times think that if they would have behaved differently than the domestic violence would not have happened (Sheets, 2014).

Society’s perception of the prosecution of high profile cases

Looking at the penalties given to high profiled famous people after crimes as domestic violence, then comparing them with those given to low profiled individuals, one cannot fail to notice a major difference. The society condemns these acts, but nothing is done to curb the ‘miss-use’ of power to influence the law. At times the verdict given, although not fair, it is given to save the victim from being subjected to revenge to the offender's supporters or fanatics (Sampson, 2006).
Different programs have been started in support of women and children who have undergone through domestic violence. One of those organizations is ‘Refuge’ that deals with high profile cases where women have been assaulted and in the worst-case scenario, they end up being killed (Refuge, 2015). In most cases, the organization has come to aid women who were victims of domestic violence that the state failed to help. An example of a case where Refuge came in to assist is the Pemberton case where the accused Alan Pemberton walked into his house and killed his wife and children (Refuge, 2015). The homicide event took place despite Julia’s Pemberton warnings to the police of her safety and her children’s. From that case, Refuge organization ensures sufficient monetary support and aid are given to the police in training them to handle cases such as Pemberton’s (Refuge, 2015).
In conclusion, the rate at which these domestic violence issues are taking place is alarming. Thus, it has become a social problem. From a law angle, it is unjust to give petty penalties to offenders of domestic violence just because they are famous yet we are all equal. Prosecutions of these domestic violence cases fail and most of the time, these cases involving high profile individuals never follow through with prosecutions. The sole reason for these lies with the victim’s non-corporation tendency that makes such cases to be dismissed by the courts. Another reason that makes the victims, not to corporate includes the emotional disturbance and self-esteem problems. Additionally, the accuser has to be present in the court ruling. When she or he is unavailable for the proceedings without the consent of the court, their absence compels the court to dismiss the charges. In other cases, it is said that the judges appear to be lenient to high profile people for favors and other things.

References

Cowper, G. (2015). Final Report to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General Honorable Shirley Bond. A Criminal Justice System for the 21St Century.
Coy, M., Kelly, L., & Foord, j. Maoas of Gaps 2. The Postcode Lottery of Violence against Women Support Services in Britain, 2.
TOD Violence. (2005). Judicial Council of California: Journal of the Center for Families, children & the courts 6.
Refuge (2015). Refuge. Refuge. Retrieved from http://www.refuge.org.uk/working-with-families-to-effect-change/
Sampson R., (2006). Domestic violence: the problem of domestic violence 45 Retrieved from http://www.popcenter.org/problems/domestic_violence/print/
Sheets, C. (2015). Janay Rice Says Ray Rice Only Hit Her Once, But Domestic Violence Experts Remain Skeptical. International Business Times. Retrieved 20 February 2015, from http://www.ibtimes.com/janay-rice-says-ray-rice-only-hit-her-once-domestic-violence-experts-remain-skeptical-1731501