Determining the Primary Aggressor in Abusive

Relationships

Facilitated by

Karen J. Wilson, Ed.D.

Training Objectives

Examine the criteria that may not be effective in determining the primary aggressor

Identify possible “red flags” that may help in assessment

Explore the “key” criteria for determining the primary aggressor

Assessment Criteria That May Not Be Effective

Gender Visible Signs of Injury Counting Number of Times Who

Hit Whom

Reasons Battered Women Use Force

Self-defense As a response to the batterer’s use of force (to

stop or dissuade the batterer from continuing the assault)

Preemptive Frustration (because NOT using force hasn’t

worked) Retaliation for a history of abuse

Some Considerations About Batterers

Batterers are adept at manipulating, deceiving, lying, and minimizing in regard to their own behavior and the inner workings of their relationships.

Batterers fail to take responsibility for their behavior.

Batterers often portray themselves as victims.

Batterers may present a convincing case that they don’t have a problem other than the “provocations” or alleged misbehavior of their partners.

Some Considerations About Survivors

Survivors do not exhibit a “standard” or “typical” response to their partners’ abusive behavior.

Over time, survivors frequently internalize the abuser’s claims that they are responsible for the abuse and begin to blame themselves.

Survivors who fight back may be told by the batterer that they are abusive and may begin to see themselves as such.

Considerations When Determining

The Primary Aggressor

Survivors:– May leave visible injuries– May admit to using force– May defend the battering partner by emphasizing his/her good

qualities

Batterers:– May tailor their assault so as not to leave visible injuries or in

places that the survivor will not be comfortable showing to the police

– May either deny using force or couple the admission with some form of justification or rationalization

– May emphasize his/her partner’s “faults”

Key Criteria for Determining

The Primary Aggressor Determine the Context in Which the Behavior OccurredDid the individual act violently after her/his partner behaved in a violent or controlling

manner? Example: Woman hits her partner because he/she tries to push her out of a moving vehicle.

Determine the Intent of the BehaviorDid the individual act violently in order to: 1) establish control over the partner; 2)

regain personal control, or 3) defend his/her self? Example: Woman hits her female partner with a table lamp after being threatened with a knife.

Determine the Effect of the BehaviorAs a result of the partner’s behavior, does the individual express feelings of fear,

loss of independence, or a sense of self? Example: “After my husband bought that gun and started threatening me, I really started to get scared. I think he really means to kill me.”

Questioning to Determine Control

What have you done to stop the violence?

Determining the Primary Aggressor

Utilize what you know about batterers and victims

Question to determine context, intent and effect (look for control)

Check previous reports for a history of violence