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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For the abused, tortured – women, men, children – these beliefs are no longer valid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

Intimate Partner Abuse and violence

Domestic Violence

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.

Myths

This is not a widespread problem

This is a wide-spread problem

Physical injuries

Psychological consequences

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)

Myths

Men are abused as often as women.

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

Myths

It won’t happen again.

VideoCycle of abuse

Myths

Certain S.E.S. classes and levels of education can predict who will be abused

Myths

Assaulted women could leave if they wanted to do so.

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

A question

What support is there for abused fathers?

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