Breaking the cycle of violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month – ABC30 Fresno

Report on Domestic Violence as a Public Health Crisis and its Intersection with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

Domestic violence is a significant public health issue with nationwide implications, directly contravening the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). This form of violence affects millions, presenting in various forms and impacting both physical and mental health. Dr. Angela Kuo, a Family Physician with Kaiser Permanente in Fresno, notes that abuse manifests in numerous ways and is frequently observed in clinical settings.

Scope of the Issue: National and Local Data

Statistical data highlights the pervasive nature of intimate partner aggression, underscoring the urgency of addressing this challenge to meet global development targets.

• National Data (CDC): Over 61 million women and 53 million men have experienced aggression from an intimate partner.
• Local Data (Fresno County, 2025): The Marjaree Mason Center has recorded over 3,500 domestic violence reports, while the Fresno Police Department has reported nearly 2,500 cases to date.

Manifestations of Abuse and Link to SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

The abuse extends beyond physical harm, often originating as emotional abuse rooted in a dynamic of power and control. This reality is a critical barrier to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality), which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. Dr. Kuo states that while physical injuries are a common perception, the violence often begins with emotional degradation.

Identifying Barriers to Healthcare and Well-being (SDG 3)

The control exerted by an abuser can create significant barriers to accessing essential services, directly impeding progress toward SDG 3. Medical professionals observe several warning signs that indicate a person’s health and well-being are being compromised.

1. Lack of transportation to medical appointments.
2. Inability to obtain or afford necessary medicines.
3. Restricted access to required medical care.
4. Fear of attending appointments without their partner present.

Pathways to Prevention and Support: Upholding SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

Addressing domestic violence requires a multi-faceted approach centered on education and robust support systems, which aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Educating communities and families on healthy relationships and the signs of trauma is crucial for breaking the cycle of violence. It is vital to recognize trauma and provide healthier, safer coping mechanisms. Strong institutions and accessible resources are essential for providing safety and justice for survivors.

• Marjaree Mason Center: A local resource in Fresno County providing immediate help and safe shelter. Contact: (559) 233-4357.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: A nationwide resource available for crisis situations. Contact: (800) 799-7233.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on domestic violence connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by highlighting issues of health, gender equality, and justice.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article explicitly frames domestic violence as a “public health issue.” It details how abuse affects a person’s physical and mental health, mentioning physical injuries and emotional abuse leading to trauma. It also discusses how abusers can obstruct access to healthcare services, such as preventing victims from attending appointments or getting medicine.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article provides data from the CDC showing that while both men and women experience intimate partner aggression, a significantly higher number of women are affected (“more than 61 million women and 53 million men”). This highlights the gendered nature of domestic violence, which is a key concern of SDG 5, aimed at ending all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article discusses domestic violence as a crime, citing the number of reports filed in Fresno County and cases handled by the Fresno Police Department. It also points to the role of institutions in providing support and justice, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the Marjaree Mason Center, which offer help and safe places for survivors. This relates to the goal of reducing violence and promoting access to justice for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article’s focus on the mental health impact of abuse (“it starts out with emotional abuse,” “understanding the signs of trauma”) and the need to deal with trauma in a “healthier and safer way” directly relates to promoting mental health and well-being.
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. The article implies a violation of this target when Dr. Kuo explains that victims may not get “transportation to their appointments,” “be able to pick up medicines,” or “have the finances for the medicines,” indicating a lack of access to essential healthcare due to the dynamics of an abusive relationship.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The article’s central theme is domestic violence, a form of violence in the private sphere. The CDC data highlighting that millions of women have experienced aggression from an intimate partner directly aligns with the objective of this target.
• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The statistics provided on domestic violence reports in Fresno County (“just over 3,500 domestic violence reports”) and police cases (“close to 2,500 cases”) are direct measures of violence that this target aims to reduce.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• For Target 5.2 and 16.1: The article provides explicit quantitative indicators.
  • The CDC data stating “more than 61 million women and 53 million men have experienced aggression from an intimate partner” serves as a national-level indicator of the prevalence of intimate partner violence.
  • The local statistics from Fresno County (“just over 3,500 domestic violence reports in 2025”) and the Fresno Police Department (“close to 2,500 cases so far this year”) are direct indicators of the number of reported incidents of violence, which can be tracked over time to measure progress in reducing violence.
• For Target 3.8: The article implies indicators related to healthcare access barriers. Dr. Kuo’s observations suggest that progress could be measured by tracking the:
  • Proportion of individuals in abusive relationships who report being prevented from accessing medical appointments.
  • Proportion of victims who report being unable to acquire necessary medicines due to financial control or other forms of coercion by a partner.
• For Target 3.4: While not providing a direct number, the article implies the importance of tracking mental health outcomes. An implied indicator would be the:
  • Prevalence of trauma-related mental health conditions among survivors of domestic violence. The article emphasizes “recognizing that I’ve been through this trauma,” suggesting that the incidence of such trauma is a key metric.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: abc30.com