Dynamics of Domestic Violence

What is Domestic Violence? (1) Any abusive or coercive behavior or threat

used to control an intimate partner

• Includes multiple actions• a pattern of manipulative and violent

tactics

Affects every• social/economic class• race or ethnic group• age • religious group• sexual orientation • geographic or educational group

The majority of domestic violence is perpetrated by men against women.

What is Domestic Violence? (2)

Guiding Principle #1

The Safety of the Victim

is PRIORITY

Abusers must be held accountable assume responsibility

Guiding Principle #2

Reduce future abuse through: Arrest Prosecution Incarceration Education

Guiding Principle #3

A Consistent and

Coordinated Community Response.

Guiding Principle #4

Domestic Violence Facts (1)

Domestic Violence

is primarily a crime against women

A domestic violence act

occurs approximately

every 15 seconds in the U.S.

Domestic Violence Facts (2)

Intimate Partner Murders

Domestic Violence Facts (3)

Pregnancy and

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Facts (4)

Domestic Battery (1)

A person commits Domestic Battery if he or she intentionally or knowingly without legal justification by any means:

Causes bodily harm to any family or household members as defined in Subsection (3) of section 112A-3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, as amended.

Makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with any family or household members as defined in Subsection (3) of Section 112-3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, as amended.

Domestic Battery is a Class A Misdemeanor

720 ILCS 5/12-3.2

Domestic Battery is a Class 4 Felony if the defendant has any prior conviction under this Code for domestic battery, aggravated battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, unlawful restraint, or aggravated unlawful restraint when committed against a family or household member

Domestic Battery (2)720 ILCS 5/12-3.2

Power and Control Model

Batterers gain and maintain power and control - actual and assumed power.

Batterers use strategic, abusive tactics to reinforce control.

Power and

Control Wheel (1)

Power and Control Wheel (3)Coercive Techniques

Emotional AbuseIntimidationAttempts to Isolate VictimsThreatsUse of Male PrivilegeEconomic AbuseManipulationVictimization of ChildrenSexual ViolencePhysical Violence

Crimes as Tools for Batterers

Crimes in the Context of Power & Control

Coercion

Control

Intimidation

Punishment

Revenge

Crimes in the Context of Power and Control

Destruction of Victim’s Possessions may be charged as Crimes

Vandalism/Criminal Mischief

Cruelty to Children

Cruelty to Animals

Cycle of ViolencePhase 1: Tension Building Phase - Victim tries to keep the peace and cover up abuser’s behavior. Abusive behavior begins to escalate and tension builds.

Phase 2: Battering Incident - Violent incident happens. Victim may dissociate to get through incident. Almost always happens in private.

Phase 3: Honeymoon Phase - Abuser promises to change and never hurt victim again. Abuser is loving and kind.

Chart by Domestic Abuse Project, Minneapolis, MN and by Cheryl Howard

Mac and Lola

Lola

What is the impact on Lola when she is arrested or sanctioned for her domestic violence?

What is the impact on Mac?

Guiding PrinciplesIntroduction, page 5

Alcohol, drugs and anger

are aggravating factors which contribute

to the abuse, but are not the cause of

domestic violence

These factors never excuse abuse

For the batterer, the violence is about power and control

The victim has no control over the batterer’s violence

Battering

Why Do Batterers Batter? (1)

Why Batterers Batter?

It’s a choice

It works Learned behavior

Society says it’s okay

Alcohol

Stress

Illness

Genetics

Batterers do not abuse because of…

Why does law enforcement get so many

alcohol-related domestic violence calls?

Why Does She Stay? (1)

Fear of what the batterer may do

Threats of homicide and/or suicide

Safety

Fear of the

unknown

Why Does She Stay? (2)

Finances

Isolation

Stalking

Why Does She Stay? (3)

Uprooting Children

Custody

Homelessness

Children need their

father

Why Does She Stay? (4)

Religion

Promises

Lack of

Transportation

Why Does She Stay? (5)

Obstacles Faced by Rural Victims (1)

Large Geographic AreaIsolation from family and friendsTransportation issuesExtended response time by law enforcementLong distance to reach victim services

Obstacles Faced by Rural Victims (2)

Rural Beliefs & Traditions

Fear

The batterer gets help for his/her problem.

The victim leaves.

Someone dies.

How Do Violent Relationships End?

What Doesn’t Work? (1)

“Attacking” the Victim

What Doesn’t Work? (2)

Empowering the Abuser

What Doesn’t Work? (3)

Couples Counseling

What Works? (1)

Quality Arrest & Prosecution Decisions

*

What Works? (2)

Offender Accountability 1. Arrest

2. Evidence-Based Prosecution

*

What Works? (3)

Offender Accountability

3. Partner Abuse Intervention Program

(PAIP)

*

What Works? (4)

Victim Assistance

*

Training Exercise

Handling the Call:

Domestic Violence Vignettes

Scene 15

“My Crazy Wife Stabbed Me!”

Acknowledgements

Resources provided by:- Mark Wynn, Wynn Consulting – www.markwynn.com

- Lydia Walker, Domestic Violence Trainer/Consultant,

LydiaWalker@cox-internet.com

- 4th Judicial Circuit FVCC Law Enforcement Committee

- OVW Rural Grant Committee, 4th Judicial Circuit

- Illinois Department of Public Health,

http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/dv.htm

- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,

http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf

- Law Enforcement Resource Center & Minnesota Program Development, Inc., 2000

This project was supported by Grant #2011-WE-AX-0055, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, through the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority.

The original project was supported by Grant # 2008-WR-AX-0016, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

Points of view, opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations contained within this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, or the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.