Binah taylor women using force in intimate relationships
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Transcript of Binah taylor women using force in intimate relationships
Women Using Force in Intimate Relationships
Binah Taylor, MA, MA, MFTLiving without Violence Programme
Oasis Conference:‘Road to Recovery’
Brighton, 5th September 2013
Definitions
Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexualityDomestic violence is usually characterised by a pattern of coercive controlSelf-defence according to UK law allows individuals to use what is reasonable force and proportionate to imminent threat; there must also be no reasonable alternative
Stats to Think About
1 in 3 women abused during lifetime/1 in 5 men
90% children living in a violent home witness abuse
Up to 50% of children where there is DV are also directly abused
Up to 75% of children subject to a child protection plan experience DV
Up to 70% of police calls due to DV involve alcohol and/or drugs
2012 Crime Survey: 683K men experienced 1 or more incidents of partner abuse compared to 938K women
Costs in Brighton and Hove – around £3 million each year
Assessing Risk and Need
Is she aggressor or victim or both?Is her violence reactive/self-defence?Is it bi-directional? (who starts, who ends, who is injured?)Patterns of control? Levels of fear?Sexual dynamics of relationship(s)Use of alcohol/substances History of abuse – aggressor/victim?Childhood abuse?Cultural factors
Female Perpetrator Issues
Pattern of coercion/control not just angerLikely to minimise violence, blame othersMay also be victim in the relationship – careful screeningGenerally diff power/control issues – gender difference (eg diff use of physical force, financial)Past abuse, both physical and sexual to be considered – lingering impact, PTSDImpact of substances – often high correlation for women who use violenceImpact as primary carerMental health needs
Increased Risk
Escalation of violence – more frequent, police call outsIncreased use of alcohol and substances/misuse of medicationMental health needs increasedUse of weapons – not just knives/guns!SeparationHigh levels of jealousy – stalking/monitoring/tracking/texting/FBChild contact when separated
Impact on Partner
Physical injury
Fear for self and children
Feeling trapped
Mental health - depression, anxiety
Shame
Unlikely to report - not being believed
Minimise violence
Homelessness
At Risk Group
All at risk at any given timeVulnerable groups:
16-24 – women’s aggression on the rise?excluded groups (BMER,LGBT,disabled)poverty - unemployedlone parentsalcohol/substance misuseearly childhood DV exposure
Treatment Goals
Reduction of violence and abuse
Substance use managed
Mental health needs assessed
Safety planning/protective behaviours
May need MARAC referral - DASH
Increased parenting capacity
Empathy building
Assertiveness/self-esteem building
Healthy calming strategies
Group-work preferable or 1-1
How to Do the Work
Interventions (CBT, SF) to contain her use of force or violence having assessed the risks (levels of violence, with vulnerability)Even if violence is reactive/self-defence, not a safety strategyAccountability without shaming - respectMonitor child protection issues/positive motheringIntegrated treatment planning - consider the role/impact of alcohol and substance misuse, mental health needsCounselling relationship supportive but not collusive/modelling healthy boundaries (confidentiality with transparency)Co-ordination and sequencing with other agencies – talk to one another!Unresolved abuse issues generally need longer term work
Couple Work
Couple work contra-indicated unless violence has stopped
Alcohol/substance use contained
Risks of undertaking the work need to be carefully assessed
Individual support alongside violence
Impact on family/children
Safety planning and monitoring