Domestic Violence in Intimate Relationships

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• Domestic Violence in Intimate Relationships

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Jennifer L. Baker, Psy.D. Anne B. Summers, Ph.D.
Debbi Steinmann, M.A. Training Instructor /
MentorsMelissa A. Gibson, M.S. Kim Rozell, M.A.
Graduate AssistantsBrent Anderson, M.S.
Matthew Biller, M.A. Cate Brandon, M.A Dawn
Clinard, M.A.Jessie Clinton, M.S. Tabitha
Carlson, M.S.Anup Jonathan Tony Larson, B.A.
Nicole Mannis, M.A.Robert Mindrup,
M.S.S.W.Colleen Quinn, Ph.D. Amber Schafer,
M.A. Amanda Schroeder, B.S.

• The Training for the Healthy Marriage and Family
  Formation curriculum was created through the
  cooperative efforts of

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Domestic Violence

• Definition
• Violence between current or former partners in
  intimate relationships.
• A pattern of behaviors used by an individual to
  establish and maintain coercive control over an
  intimate partner.

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CAUTION

• Both men and women can be abusers.
• However, in most cases domestic violence is
  perpetrated by men against women.
• Therefore, we will generally refer to the male as
  the abuser and the female as the victim.

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Types of Abuse

• Psychological
• Emotional
• Physical
• Sexual
• Economic/Financial

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Impact of Domestic Violence on Children

• Between 3.3 and 10 million
  children witness domestic
  violence annually.
• Exposure to violence in the
  home is a significant factor in
  predicting a childs violent
  behavior.
• Fifty percent of men who assaulted their wives
  also abused their children.

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Cultural Aspects of Domestic Violence

• Domestic violence occurs across cultural borders.
• Domestic violence may reflect cultural traditions
  and practices.
• Many refugees and immigrants have come from
  repressive cultural practices.

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• Types of Domestic Violence

• Arguments that become physical
• Intimate Terrorism

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• Types of Domestic Violence

• Arguments that Become Physical
• Occur mainly as an outgrowth of anger and
  conflict, with both partners capable of violent
  acts.
• Also termed common couple, expressive, or pit
  bull violence.

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• Types of Domestic Violence

• Intimate Terrorism
• Manipulative, purposeful violence used as a tool
  of power and control.
• Usually perpetuated by one member of the couple
  against the other.
• Also termed patriarchal, instrumental, or
  viper violence.

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Traditional Cycle of Violence - Intimate
Terrorism

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Tactics of Power and Control-

• Power and Control Wheel

Intimate Terrorism
East Side Domestic Violence Program
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Warning Signs

• Bruises and other signs of impact on the skin,
  with the excuse of accidents
• Depression, crying, or emotional withdrawal
• Frequent and sudden absences, frequent lateness
• Alcohol or drug use

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Warning Signs

• Fear of the partner and/or references to the
  partners anger
• Isolation
• Obvious dependence on the spouse
• References like, I have no money
• Symbolic violence

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Why the Abused Partner Stays
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Romantic Bond

• Validate it if it is present.
• Women are socialized to succeed in relationships
  at all costs.
• Can be a strength, but increases vulnerability.
• History of childhood abuse may predispose both
  partners to violence.

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Strategies to Determine Presence of Domestic
Violence

• Avoid global questions.
• Avoid using words like abuse and battering.
• Frame questions in terms of conflict resolution.
• Inquire about more minor instances of abuse
  first.
• Be familiar with various assessment instruments.

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Response to Violence
Arguments that Become Physical

• Possibly couples therapy to learn to how avoid
  escalation so conflict can be addressed directly.
• Anger management, or cognitive/ behavioral
  strategies, etc.

• Intimate Terrorism
• Separate couples.
• Recommend gender specific treatment groups.

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Suitability for Couples Work

• Ability to take full responsibility for ones
• use of violence.
• Ability to tolerate hearing partners description
  of being victimized.
• Willingness to work toward stopping
• abusive behavior.
• Ability to feel safe after speaking openly about
  his/her partners behavior.

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Strategies to Handle Domestic Violence

• Have educational materials about domestic
  violence on hand in order to share with clients.
• Provide opportunity for domestic violence to be
  safely disclosed.
• Be prepared to share information with clients
  about safe havens or shelters.
• Be prepared to help clients develop a safety plan
  if necessary.

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• Power and Control Wheel
• East Side Domestic Violence Program
• http//www.edvp.org/AboutDV/wheel.htm
• Power and Control and Equality Wheel
• Texas Violence Council
• http//www.tcfv.org/
• The Danger Assessment
• http//www.dangerassessment.org/WebApplication1/pa
  ges/da/
• Domestic Abuse Intervention Project
• http//www.duluth-model.org
• Family Violence Center of Springfield
• http//fvc_at_sbcglobal.net
• Family Violence Prevention Fund
  http//www.endabuse.org/

• Websites

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• Forest Institute of Professional Psychologys
  Marriage and Family Department
  http//www.forest.edu/clinic/index.html
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• http//www.ncadv.org/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• http//www.ndvh.org
• National Immigration Project Website
• http//www.nationalimmigrationproject.org/
• domestic-violence/domvioindex.htm
• Violence Against Women Online Resources
• http//www.ndvh.org

• Websites

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• Questions