1. Domestic Violence Senator Tommy Burks Victim Assistance Academy 2012 Presented by Kathy Walsh

2. Journal Other than physical violence, what are some other forms of domestic abuse? Other than physical violence, what are some other forms of domestic abuse?

3. Learning Objectives Increase understanding of: Dynamics of domestic violence Dynamics of domestic violence Advocacy for domestic violence victims Advocacy for domestic violence victims Relevant laws Relevant laws

4. Intimate Partner Violence Nearly 1 in 3 women are beaten or raped by an intimate partner during their lifetime. On average, more than 3 women a day in the US are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends. Section One, Handout #2

5. Intimate Partner Violence Women are much more likely to be victimized by a current or former intimate partner. Women are much more likely to be victimized by a current or former intimate partner. Women are 84% of spouse abuse victims and 86% of victims abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Women are 84% of spouse abuse victims and 86% of victims abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend. More than three-fourths of persons who commit domestic abuse are male. More than three-fourths of persons who commit domestic abuse are male.

6. Defining Domestic Violence Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior designed to exert power and control over a person in an intimate relationship through the use of intimidating, threatening, harmful, or harassing behavior including physical, sexual and Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior designed to exert power and control over a person in an intimate relationship through the use of intimidating, threatening, harmful, or harassing behavior including physical, sexual and emotional abuse. emotional abuse.

7. Physical Abuse Pushing, shoving, slapping, hitting, punching the victim. Holding, tying down, or restraining the victim. Strangling the victim.

8. Sexual Abuse Making the victim perform sexual acts against her will. Making the victim perform sexual acts against her will. Pursuing sexual activity when the victim cannot fully consent, such as being intoxicated. Pursuing sexual activity when the victim cannot fully consent, such as being intoxicated. Physically hurting the victim during sex. Physically hurting the victim during sex.

9. Emotional or Psychological Abuse Threats of harm. Physical and social isolation. Extreme jealousy and possessiveness. Deprivation of resources to meet basic needs. Intimidation, degradation, and humiliation.

10. Domestic Violence Facts For four decades in the U.S., it was legal for a man to beat his wife with any instrument as long as it was no bigger than the circumference of his thumb ….Rule of Thumb. For four decades in the U.S., it was legal for a man to beat his wife with any instrument as long as it was no bigger than the circumference of his thumb ….Rule of Thumb. The first rape laws were similar to The first rape laws were similar to theft of cattle. Women were the theft of cattle. Women were the property of either their father or husband. Section Five, Handout #4

11. Why Victims Stay

12. Fear Injury Death Women who leave their batterers are at a 75% greater risk of being killed by their batterer than those who stay. Section Five, Handout #5

13. Shame Failed marriage Failed marriage Social stigma Social stigma Not suppose to happen to me Not suppose to happen to me

14. Hope That abuser will change That victim’s actions will make abuser change That the violence will stop

15. Lack of Resources Abuser controls finances Abuser controls finances Unemployment Unemployment Childcare Childcare No access to bank accounts / credit cards No access to bank accounts / credit cards Housing Housing Section Five, Handout #6

16. Dependence on Batterer Dependency upon batterer decreases victim’s ability to leave Abuser may forbid victim from employment, education, transportation, even family and friends Abuser may keep wife or girlfriend pregnant

17. Children Batterer may threaten to abuse or kill children Batterer may threaten to abuse or kill children Victim fears loss of custody of children Victim fears loss of custody of children Battered women charged with failure to protect Battered women charged with failure to protect May not have resources to provide food, clothing, shelter, etc. May not have resources to provide food, clothing, shelter, etc. Section Five, Handout #7

18. Love May still love batterer Battering isn’t every day Batterer can be very loving and caring at other times Section Five, Handout #9

19. Why Victim Stays Family Pressure Family Pressure Religious Reasons Religious Reasons

20. Why Batterer Batters Society says its OK – Society hasn’t held batterers accountable. It Works – The victim is so terrorized that victim will say or do anything to survive. It's a Choice – Batterer chooses to use violence to control family members. Section Five, Handout #12

21. Why Batterer Batters Learned Behavior 50% of men who abuse women were either abused as a child or saw their mother abused. 50% of men who abuse women were either abused as a child or saw their mother abused. Learned through observation. Learned through observation. Learned in communities: schools, peer groups, sports, etc. Learned in communities: schools, peer groups, sports, etc. Section Five, Handout #13

22. What Battering Is Not Caused By Mental or physical illness Mental or physical illness Genetics Genetics Alcohol Alcohol Out of control behavior Out of control behavior Stress Stress Anger Anger Victim’s behavior or relationship problems Victim’s behavior or relationship problems Section Five, Handout #15

23. Cycle of Violence Tension building phase -- lasting hours, months, years, where aggressor is edgy, irritable, & possessive and, where victim may withdraw Tension building phase -- lasting hours, months, years, where aggressor is edgy, irritable, & possessive and, where victim may withdraw Explosion -- of aggression that aggressor justifies Explosion -- of aggression that aggressor justifies Honeymoon Phase -- aggressor comforts the victim, but, the longer the relationship lasts, the shorter this phase becomes, possibly even disappearing Honeymoon Phase -- aggressor comforts the victim, but, the longer the relationship lasts, the shorter this phase becomes, possibly even disappearing Section Five, Handout #16

24. Continuance of Cycle of Violence As violent encounters occur more frequently, they become more severe As violent encounters occur more frequently, they become more severe Suicide or homicide is not unusual Suicide or homicide is not unusual May impact victim’s willingness to prosecute May impact victim’s willingness to prosecute Section Five, Handout #17

25. Effects on Children Present in 40-55% of homes where police intervene in domestic violence calls. 63% of juveniles charged with murder are there for killing an abusive father, step-father or mother’s live-in boyfriend in an attempt to protect their mother. Section Five, Handout #18

26. Effects on Children Abuse or neglect as a child increases the risk of arrest as a juvenile by 53%, as an adult by 38%, and for a violent crime by 38%. Abuse or neglect as a child increases the risk of arrest as a juvenile by 53%, as an adult by 38%, and for a violent crime by 38%.

27. Effects on Children Anxiety Temper tantrums Suicide attempts Substance abuse Eating Disorders Bed-wetting Stomach aches, sleeplessness Identification with abuser Withdrawal, dissociation Section Five, Handout #19

28. Violence Against Women Act Violence Against Women Act

29. Interstate Domestic Violence 18 USC 2261 It is a Federal crime to cross state lines and injure an “intimate partner.” It is a Federal crime to cross state lines and injure an “intimate partner.” The injury must be physical. The injury must be physical. The defendant must have intended to commit the crime when crossing the state line. The defendant must have intended to commit the crime when crossing the state line.

30. Interstate Stalking 18 USC 2261A It is a Federal Crime to cross state lines to stalk or harass. It is a Federal Crime to cross state lines to stalk or harass. There must be proof that the stalking placed the victim in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. There must be proof that the stalking placed the victim in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury.

31. Interstate Violation of a Protection Order 18 USC 22629a) (1) It is a federal Crime to cross state lines and violate a Protection Order. It is a federal Crime to cross state lines and violate a Protection Order. The Protection Order must protect the victim against violent threats, repeated harassment or bodily injury. The Protection Order must protect the victim against violent threats, repeated harassment or bodily injury. The defendant must have intended to violate the order when crossing the state line. The defendant must have intended to violate the order when crossing the state line.