Dynamics of Domestic Violence

1
Dynamics of Domestic Violence
2
Course Overview

• Statistics About Domestic Abuse
• Myths
• Causes of Abuse
• Definitions of Abuse
• Dynamics of Domestic Abuse
• Why Women Stay
• How to Talk to Victims

3
Statistics

• National
• State
• City

4
Myths

• Battering is rare. Only some people experience
  it.
• Men who batter are very mean, scuzzy, and skid
  row types. They hate everybody.
• Battered women are always uneducated, lower
  class or working class, or poor. Battered women
  are from minority groups, who dont know any
  better.
• Battered women always look beat up. They look
  abused and assaulted. You can always tell who
  they are.

5
Causes of Abuse

• Learned
• Opportunity/Societal Forces
• Stress
• Decision

6
Definition of Abuse

• Abuse
• Physical
• Emotional
• Psychological
• Sexual

7
Dynamics of Domestic Abuse

• Phase 1 Escalation
• Phase 2 Acute Battering
• Phase 3 Honeymoon or Sorrow
• The Use of Power to Attain Control in a
  Relationship

8
Why stay in an abusive relationship?

• Fear of Partners Action
• Effects of Abuse
• Isolation
• Economic Dependency
• Leaving is a Process

9
How to talk to Victims

• Listen to them
• Believe them.
• Assure them that it is not their fault
• Do not pass judgment on them or the person that
  hurt them
• Tell them about support services that are
  available
• Ask if they are safe right now
• If they are in immediate danger call 911

10
Resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline-
  1-800-799-7233
• Minnesota 24-hour Hotline- 1-866-223-1111