To whom it may concern, 

Domestic violence is a huge issue within the United States and other countries. Each year, many   people suffer from domestic violence. According to the University of Michigan, over a million women are physically abused every year in the U.S. and we need to take action. 

      Domestic violence is continuous abusive behavior within a relationship. Seeking control, one person out of the relationship will use this method. There are many different types of domestic violence. Some of these are physical, verbal/nonverbal, stalking, economic, sexual, and spiritual. Physical abuse is identified as any physical action such as hitting, slapping, shoving, kicking, etc. Verbal/nonverbal abuse can also be seen as emotional abuse. This type is used to make one feel less of themselves and to downgrade their self-esteem. Stalking is when one tracks another person and/or their information. During this type of domestic violence, the stalker may contact the other or their family/friends over the internet or over phone calls/messages. Economic abuse occurs when one person maintains full power over financial resources and takes away the privilege of easy access to money. Sexual abuse happens when one person forces a sexual act upon the other. Spiritual abuse is used to taunt one person's religious/spiritual beliefs. Within a certain cycle, one or more of these types of domestic violence may occur. According to the University of Michigan, the cycle starts off with the build up of tension and a breakdown in communication. Then, a trigger takes place and set off the batterer. This causes a violent event to occur. Followed by the event, the "Honeymoon" period comes in. This is when the batterer apologizes, asks for forgiveness, and/or swears it'll never happen again, causing the survivor to want to believe that the person has or will change. As they make up, their life returns to "normal" until the process starts all over again.

     As you can see, domestic violence is used in many ways and can harm many people. In my perspective, this topic should be enforced and talked about more often. Domestic violence is a huge issue within our nation and others'.

      Sincerely, 

   Gabe O. 

                                                                    Works Cited

De Benedictis, Tina, Jaelline Jaffe, and Jeanne Segal. "Domestic Violence and Abuse: Types, Signs,   Symptoms, Causes, and Effects." Internationally Recognized Programs in Traumatic Stress and Crisis Management. The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Www.aaets.org/article144.htm. 2014.

The University of Michigan. "Understanding Abuse." Abuse Hurts. The Regents of the University of Michigan. Www.stopabuse.umich.edu/about/understanding.html. 2009. 

This article has no author. "Domestic Violence." The United States Department of Justice. The United States Department of Justice. Www.justice.gov./ovw/domestic-violence. October 31, 2016.