Welcome
Violence and Intimate Partner Abuse Video
Course Evaluations
Final exam – April 25, 2008, 2-5 PM This exam is cumulative and covers the whole course.
A-KIL – Sheraton Hall, Wycliffe College, 5 Hoskin Ave.
KIM-Z – St. Vladimir Institute, 620 Spadina Ave., Auditorium B (enter through south doors)
Conflict and Violence
In general Male violence Conflict
Many kinds of abuse and violent behaviours conflict
Conflict Tactics Scale• Difficulties
non-conflict situations … … …
The “what” of inter-personal, gender
related, violence and abuse Rape
Throughout history wartime
• stranger• acquaintance
Interpersonal violence Rape Physical Violence Emotional violence verbal violence
Intimate partner violence - a form of interpersonal violence
Please remember
Not all partners, female or male, are abused
Not all partners, male or female, are abusers
Far more women, than men, are abused by their partners
The “why” of gender-related inter-personal violence and abuse
Contributing Factors
Economic factors
Patriarchal beliefs
Societal acceptance
Separation
The “Why” of Intimate partner violence
Belief that women are not equal to men
Psychodynamic rationale
Religious beliefs
• limited - in most cases the opposite
– Does not necessarily lead to violence
Patriarchal beliefs and societal acceptance
Power
Hostility towards women
RevengeResponse to a perceived personal wrong
Belief that the partner hasn’t done what she should have done for the offender
Irrational - extremely hard to defend against
The Cycle of Abuse / Violence Over TimeOverhead
Video: Without Fear
Women telling their own stories
What happened to them individually
What they did afterwards
General abuse
Core Assumptions Shattered
Core AssumptionsThe world is benevolentEvents in the world are meaningful
The self is positive and worthy
Janoff-Bulmann, 1995
For the abused, tortured – women, men, children – these beliefs are no longer valid
The role of the therapist
Marital ViolenceMarital Violence
In 20% of all violent crimes against women in the U.S., the perpetrator is an intimate
Domestic violence is a worldwide problemViolence within marriage is historically
linked to a legal definition of the family that made it acceptable for a man to exercise his authority over his wife by beating her
A woman who wants to leave an abusive marriage often faces a lack of external resources for doing so
Definition: Intimate Partner Abuse
“Any physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse attempted by one’s current or former intimate partner. It represents the expressions of power of one individual over another. Partner abuse is against the law. The person who is abused is not responsible for the abuse. The abuse should never be excused or condoned. Use of alcohol or drugs, cultural differences, and mental stress or disorders do not make this behaviour acceptable.”
Myths
This is not a widespread problem.
Men are abused as often as women.
It won’t happen again.
Certain S.E.S. classes and levels of education can predict who will be abused
Assaulted women could leave if they wanted to do so.
Examples of Common Physical Injuries
Bleeding and/or bleeding or internal organs
Bruising: pattern bruises, symmetrical bruises, bruises in varying stages of healing
Injuries to face & head, dental damagePerforated eardrumsBroken bonesBurns (stoves, appliances, acids)
Mental Health Sequelae
Fear, hypervigilance, avoidance, low self-esteem, self-blame, self-silencing, safety issues, attachment, difficulties sleeping, somatic expression, uncomfortable with sexuality, body image, nightmares, revictimization
Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression, substance abuse, suicide attempts, self-mutilation
Substance Abuse
Crime victims with PTSD were 3.2 times more likely to have serious alcohol and 3.4 times more likely to have serious drug problems than crime victims without PTSD. (Kilpatrick, 1990)
Women assaulted by their male partners were 74% more likely to use sedatives and 40% more likely to take sleeping pills than women not assaulted. (ARF;Groeneveld & Shane, 1989)
Self-Harm
Sexual or physical abuse often cited as a risk factor for later self-harm behaviours, along with parental violence, parental alcohol abuse, impulsivity in family, recent loss of significant other, childhood illness/surgery. (Walsh & Rosen, 1988)
There are gender differences in abuse frequencies and severity
Women and girls are abused by far more frequent
Men and boys are abused still a social problem
especially for boys (and the men they become)particular problems
• reluctance to report• lack of support (no shelters etc)
Problems with reporting frequencies of abuse Measures used (discussed earlier)
Intimate Partner Violence by Type of Crime and Sex of Victims: 20011
© 2004 Chart Design by H. Lips & W. Andrew
0.4 0.40.7
3.6
0.10.3
0.5
0
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
2
2.4
2.8
3.2
3.6
Rape/SexualAssault
Robbery AggravatedAssault
Simple Assault
Females Males
Rat
es p
er 1
000
Fem
ales
Rat
es p
er 1
000
Mal
es
1 Web source: Domestic Violence, Bureau of Justice Statistics at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ipv01.htm
© 2004 Slide Design by H. Lips & W. Andrew
© 2004 Chart Design by H. Lips & W. Andrew34.9%
29.6% 29.3% 28.5%
33.5%
9.6%
3.7% 3.7%4.7%6.9%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
1976 1980 1990 1993 2000
Female Male
Per
cent
of A
ll M
urde
rsFigure 11.2 Murder Victims of an Intimate Partner: 1976-20001
1 Intimates are spouses, boyfriends, and girl friends (including gay & lesbian relationships). Web source: Bureau of Justice Statistics at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ipv01.htm© 2004 Slide Design by H. Lips & W. Andrew
Male and Female Victims of Non-fatal*, Intimate Partner Violence1
© 2004 Chart Design by H. Lips & W. Andrew
1.6 1.71.1 1.4
11.5
1.1 0.8 0.9
9.89.1
8.57.8 7.8
5.8
4.7 5
7.5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
19931994
19951996
19971998
19992000
2001
Male Female
*These rates do not include murders. Nonfatal violence includes rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault.
Num
ber
Vic
timiz
atio
ns
per
1000
Per
sons
1 Web source: Domestic Violence, Bureau of Justice Statistics at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ipv01.htm
No: Often assaulted women often can’t leave if they wanted to do so
A study on what happens after women leave a violent abusive relationship.
Domestic Violence: The Influence of Post-assault Events on Battered Women
“After I left…” Sequelae of separation
Issues - identified by women and workers in the field
Support
Health - physical and psychological consequences
Positive happenings? Vicious circle? Violence? Death?
Questions for Survivors -METRAC
Metro Action Committee on Public Violence Against Women and Children (a Toronto organization).
Questions written by domestic violence survivors (not self-identified as victims).
IssuesSafety/shelter
Where could my children and I go to be safe? We had no money. Where could we go to live? No first month’s rent let alone last month’s.
Children Fear for children often the last straw Witnessed abuse Must change school May have divided loyalties
Fear/Criminal Justice System
Greatest danger shortly after separation.
Crawford and Gartner (1994)
Ellis & Stuckless (1996)
Police response - varies
Peace bond for abuser
Often ineffective - weekly reports of beatings,
arson, uxoricide and other intimate femicide
Interpersonal relationships and supportFamily /friends- may or may not be supportive
Disbelief
Friends don’t want to take sides
“Keep your family together at any cost.”
“We want to but can’t afford to help you. You’re on your own if you leave him”
Victim-blaming
Some very supportive new friends
Support groups
Language and Cultural Barriers
Feeling isolated
Difficulty dealing with officials without an interpreter
She could not tell her side of the story
“How could I ask my child to tell those things?”
Cultural - can inhibit asking for help from others
Bring shame to community
May not be able to talk to male officer/counsellors
Health Related Issues - Physical and Psychological
Psychological Depression / anxiety / self-blame
negatively correlated to emotional and practical support
Trauma - PTSD Poor diet
Insufficient $ for well-balanced meals “I try to make sure my kids eat well.”
Serious physical injuries Often not identified as abuse - aren’t asked “ I kept saying I had accidents - no questions.”
Financial / Employment
Abrupt change to poverty level No bank account - “I had to leave without a
dime” “I had to give up my job because he would find
me there.”Children/no children
Can’t get employment without daycare. “I got a new job and a place to stay, a very
close friend helped me.” - no childrenNo job, no $, difficult to find housing
Often forced to return to abusive relationship
Support and Services Shelters
Wonderful support Provide safety, living space, meals, childcare,
emotional supportBUT only short term - not a permanent solution“I found myself on a downward spiral - going from
one shelter to another. I finally had to return to my home.”
“The workers and volunteers helped me find a place for my kids and myself...I was able to help my sister by letting her come to me when she had to leave after __ beat her up.”
Development and use of Hospital Protocols
Domestic Violence CourtsViolent cases courts
Serious and violent domestic assault cases Dedicated court - earlier trial date Reduce reliance on victim’s testimony
Use of 911 tapes, photographs of victims’ injuriesVictim’s statement as early as possible on audio or video
tapesPhotographs at crime scene
Victim/Witness Assistance supports victims through court stageswith preparation of victim impact statement
First-time offenders courts Focuses on first time offenders Minor or no physical injuries Offender must agree to plead guilty and attend a
compulsory counselling program Victim must agree to procedures and offender
participation Victim/Witness Assistance supports and helps
victims through court stageswith preparation of victim impact statement
ConclusionLeaving the violent abusive relationship is only
a first step for domestic violence victims Many factors help determine if a woman and
her children can make a new life or instead will return to the abusive relationship.
Emotional and practical support appears to have the greatest effect on psychological and physical well-being.
Attempts are being made to address some of the survivors’ issues but the need still is far greater than available services.
Overview: Marital Violence
• Women are many times more likely than men to be violently assaulted by an intimate• Individuals who are targets of marital violence often stay in
the relationship because of a lack of resources and support• Although both men and women are sometimes violent toward their partners, men inflict the most serious damage• Abusers often justify their actions by blaming their partners
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