CJ 333 Unit 6

Since 1993, the rate of nonfatal intimate partner violence has declined. Why? –Improved services for victims –Hotlines, shelters –Criminalization –LE increased involvement –Sanctions by courts –Public education

Abuser Characteristics Relationship alcohol/drugs Psychoactive drugs Gender –86% men –According NCVS, 82% men Age –18-35 median 33 –NCVS reports 73% 30 & older –Dating? 50% 18-29

What does a “Batterer” look like? Controlling Behaviors Fear & Intimidation Animal Cruelty Manipulation Excessive Rule Making Isolation

Power & Control Wheel

Alcohol & Drug Use SA also increases the severity of injury to the victim According to NCVS, >40% under influence at time of incident Severe drinking problems increase risk for violence and homicide

7% of Americans or 14 million meet the criteria for alcoholism Nonwhite women are more likely to report abuse to police then white women Men are more likely to report to police when female was drinking and male was not drinking

Women and SA Link between female offending and SA less clear Found that women in treatment for SA use violence in her relationships

Older Adults & SA Heavy alcohol use reported by 13% of men and 2 % of women between ages

Animal Cruelty Interest again in this area Violence against pets predictor of adult violence in children Threat of violence against a pet is a strong predictor of violence against intimate partner Women in DV shelters were 11x’s > likely to report their partner hurt/killed a pet compared to a woman that hadn’t been abused.

Pet abuse influences her decision to seek safety. If a batterer assaults or mutilates a pet, he is > likely to kill a partner Abuser hurt pets to punish her for leaving or threatening to leave 45 states have laws that certain types of animal cruelty is a felony

Police Batterers Extent? % to 20-40% little research PD reaction? Varied –Not tolerated to handled informally to no documentation at all Federal law prohibits police from possessing firearms if convicted of domestic violence

“typical” Middle aged male patrol officers 34 average age 70% from racial/ethnic minority group Average on job 8 years Assigned to high crime precincts 83% men Victims? 48% wife, 25% girlfriend 27% ex wife/girlfriend Most immediately suspended from duty, small % arrested 92% cases dropped for lack of testimony, lack of evidence and conflicting testimony

Risk factors Weekend work Rotating shifts Dangers on job Weapons at home

Abusive Women Studies show male to female violence is more harmful then female to male violence Female victims more likely to need medical attention & time off work due to injury Many believe women use violence as self defense &/or retaliatory use of force Not many studies

One study found women arrested had > rates of mental disorders > % of PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, antisocial personalities Suffered from symptoms consistent with being victims rather than perpetrators

Elder Abuse If the perpetrator is a family member, it’s consider domestic abuse Scarce research Adult children were > likely than spouses to financially abuse and Spouses were > likely to than adult children to physically abuse

Most common reason? Power and control Tactics? Isolation, intimidation and threats; withholding food, medicine, sleep and/or money

Sexual abuse against Older Adults < 1% (probably underreported) % of victims 50 > ranged from 2.1 to 7% Who are the perpetrators? –44% are spouses & family members –29% strangers –12% unrelated care providers