Private Matter or Public Crisis? Defining and Responding to Domestic Violence

By

Peggy Solic

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Artist George Bellows's 1992 drawing, 'The Drunk.'

"The Drunk," 1922

Artist George Bellows's 1992 drawing, "The Drunk," depicts an inebriated man and two frightened women and children.

DAVA services are run by the Department of Defense.

Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (DAVA)

DAVA services are run by the Department of Defense to provide 24-hour support for abuse victims via personal or telephonic contact.

Artist Joel Bergner's mural in Brooklyn, New York, entitled A Survivor's Journey.

Domestic Violence Awareness Mural

Artist Joel Bergner's mural in Brooklyn, New York, entitled A Survivor's Journey, seeks to bring attention to issues of domestic violence.

This purple ribbon is donned to increase awareness about Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Prevention.

Purple Ribbon

This purple ribbon is donned to increase awareness about Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Prevention.

Part of the Temperance Movement's proposed ban on alcohol stemmed from the aspiration to stop the domestic abuse of women.

The Temperance Movement, 1871

Part of the Temperance Movement's proposed ban on alcohol stemmed from the aspiration to stop the domestic abuse of women by inebriated husbands.

Ohio's Pringle-Patric House is one of the first domestic violence shelters in the United States.

Pringle-Patric Shelter

Built in 1877, Springfield, Ohio's Pringle-Patric House is one of the first domestic violence shelters in the United States.

The Federal Violence Against Women Act of 1994 led to the creation of the Office on Violence Against Women.

Office on Violence Against Women

The Federal Violence Against Women Act of 1994 led to the creation of the Office on Violence Against Women to protect women in the home and other areas like college campuses.

Frances Willard.

Frances Willard

Frances Willard was a main leader of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1874. She fought for issues surrounding prohibition and women's rights.

This illustration from France in 1845 is characteristic of the longstanding and widespread views of male violence to women.

JJ Grandville's 'Cent Proverbes,' 1845

This illustration from France in 1845 is characteristic of the longstanding and widespread views of male violence to women. The caption reads "Qui aime bien chátie bien" or "He who loves well punishes well."

Ms. Magazine launched in 1971 as the brainchild of feminist activists Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes.

Ms. Magazine

Ms. Magazine launched in 1971 as the brainchild of feminist activists Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes. It started to appear on a monthly basis after 1972. (Photo provided by author).

Ray Rice, an NFL player.

Ray Rice

In 2014, Ray Rice was suspended from the NFL on domestic assault charges. His abuse of wife, Janay Rice, brought the issue of domestic assault to the national spotlight.

Members at a Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) meeting in 1924.

Women's Christian Temperance Union Meeting, 1924

Members at a Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) meeting in 1924.

This non-profit organization is stationed in Washington D.C.

National Network to End Domestic Violence

This non-profit organization is stationed in Washington D.C. and was founded in 1995 to address problems of domestic abuse internationally.

The armed forces designed this poster to bring attention to domestic abuse.

Domestic Violence Awareness

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The armed forces designed the above poster to bring attention to domestic abuse.

Many advertisements made light of issues of domestic violence, including this 1970 ad for Mr. Leggs.

'Mr. Leggs' Advertisement, 1970

Many advertisements made light of issues of domestic violence, including this 1970 ad for Mr. Leggs.

In addition to providing shelter for battered women, Women's Refuge Centers also began to publish extensively on issues affecting women in the home.

Women's Refuge Centers

In addition to providing shelter for battered women, Women's Refuge Centers also began to publish extensively on issues affecting women in the home.

The Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance was the first domestic violence project in Maine and the third in the country.

Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance

Established in 1973, the Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance was the first domestic violence project in Maine and the third in the country.

TMZ released the video (screenshot left) of Ray Rice dragging his unconscious fiancé from the elevator.

Ray Rice

TMZ released the video (screenshot left) of Ray Rice dragging his unconscious fiancé from the elevator. (Photo Credit, AP)

The Houston Area Women's Center, established in 1977, was and still is dedicated to assisting victims of sexual and domestic violence.

Houston Area Women's Center

The Houston Area Women's Center, established in 1977, was and still is dedicated to assisting victims of sexual and domestic violence.

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