Domestic Violence: Key Concepts and Statistics

Domestic Violence: Key Concepts and Statistics

• Ultimate Goal of Abuser: Gain power and control over victim.
• Four Main Types of Abuse:
  • Physical: Common, often against women aged 18-34. Doesn't automatically mean a relationship is abusive; can occur in isolation.
  • Sexual: Forcing sex, fear of refusal, forcing participation in degrading acts, refusing contraception
  • Psychological: Constant criticism, "crazy-making," name-calling, acting superior.
  • Financial: Seen in 99% of domestic violence cases; intensifies when the victim tries to leave. Controlling finances, hidden assets, limiting opportunities for autonomy.

EOPSS and Amanda's Law

• EOPSS (Executive Office of Public Safety & Security): Establishes protocols for Commonwealth police investigating domestic violence crimes.
• Amanda's Law: Prohibits taking and sharing photos of victims outside the investigation room.

Domestic Violence Definition and Power/Control

• Domestic Violence: Willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault, and other abusive behaviors within a pattern of power and control by one partner against another.
• Domestic Violence Power and Control Wheel: Visual representation of the cycle and dynamics.
• Two Relationship Dynamics: Abuser (power and control) and victim.

Cycle of Violence

• Three Phases: Tension building, acute explosion, honeymoon.
• Duration and frequency vary by relationship.

Effects of Domestic Violence

• Physical: Injuries, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle tension, involuntary shaking.
• Mental: PTSD, extreme fear/anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, suicidal ideations/attempts, insomnia, nightmares.
• Emotional/Spiritual: Substance abuse, hopelessness, feeling unworthy, cynicism.

Victim Safety Plan

• Safety Plan: A plan addressing safety while living with a partner, preparing to leave, and after leaving the relationship.

Resources

• Mova Website (Mass.gov/lists/safeplan-brochure): Provides resources on safety plans.

Knowledge Check

• Fact: Domestic violence victims can be male and female.
• Fact: Violence increases in severity and frequency over time.
• Fact: Danger for victims increases when trying to leave because the abuser fears losing power.
• Fact: Common cycle phases include Tension Building, Acute Explosion and Honeymoon

Domestic Violence Facts and Statistics

• Prevalence:
  • 1 in 3 women experience D.V. in their lifetime.
  • 1 in 4 men.
  • 85% of victims in D.V. cases are women.
• Correlation: Boys who witness D.V. are twice as likely to abuse partners or children.
• Diverse Forms: D.V. isn't limited to one form of abuse (physical and financial are examples)
• Risk of Leaving: Women who leave abusers are 75% more likely to be killed than those who stay.

Why Victims Stay

• Hope of Change: Belief the abuser will change.
• Guilt/Shame: Fear of being a victim of divorce or accusations.
• Lack of Confidence: Difficulty making major life changes.
• Economic Dependence: Reliance on the abuser for financial support.
• Past Experiences: Increased abuse or negative experiences with authorities.

Types of Abuse (important distinctions)

• Least discussed: Sexual abuse.
• Physical Abuse: Common, often escalating, used to control.
• Psychological Abuse: Present in all abusive relationships. Damages the victim's self-worth.
• Financial Abuse: A powerful tool in controlling and trapping the victim.
• Important: Witnessing D.V. is a major predictor of negative outcomes in children and adults (juvenile delinquency and adult criminality in males). Violence increases in severity and frequency over time.