Crisis workers, specialists and counselors who help those in crisis and trauma come across many cases of abuse or domestic violence. Whether lower tier, on site, or dealing with long term trauma, domestic violence is a large problem within the world, especially against women. This is not to say it does not also occur against men, but the higher percentage of abuse and domestic violence is against women and children. Women especially suffer the brunt of domestic violence cases and suffer as victims sometimes unable to act. This blog will review what domestic violence is, factors surrounding the victim and perpetrator, as well as intervention strategies to help victims, usually women, to be able to heal and move forward.
Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Specialist Program as well as its Anger Management Consulting Program and see if these programs meet your needs. Professionals in the Human Service Field who help battered women and other victims can utilize these certifications to broaden their knowledge and understanding of domestic violence.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence goes well beyond merely anger and loss of control but has many elements that go deeply into the psychology of the abuser and the willingness for the victim to sometimes endure for years. Domestic Violence also known as Intimate Partner Violence encompasses all types of couples including not only married, but those living together, same sex couples, and abuse of children or elderly (James, 2017, p. 286). Within Domestic Violence are key terms that designate the crime. Battering refers to any type of physical assault, while abuse is a more general term that not only encompasses physical violence but also emotional, verbal abuse as well as threatening (James, 2017, p. 287).
There are many theories that surround the relationship that ties abuser and victim together. Attachment/Traumatic Bonding Theory speculates that abusers abuse because of fear of losing the significant other due to childhood trauma of losing loved ones and lack of stability. Another theory is Exchange Theory which postulates that the abuser will continue to be violent as long as the reward outweighs the cost of utilizing violence to control. Intraindividual Theory investigates various psychological and neurophysiological disorders that play a part in why batterers abuse. From the victim perspective, many women suffer from learned helplessness and battered woman syndrome in which the woman accepts the abuse and the results as a learned behavior. In reverse, the abuser, usually a man, falls into the learned behavior of achieving results through inherent abuse. Feminist theory attributes abuse by men to be tied to sexist and patriarchal views within society that glorify the dominance of the man over the woman. Cultural reinforcement and glorification of aggression for success can also play a role in advancing aggression as a positive attribute. Finally, psychological entrapment proposes that women have to much to lose financially if they report or leave the abuser. In addition, the secret fills the victim with shame and ties the abused to the abuser and looks for the abused to justify and find ways to stay (James, 2017, p. 290-293).
There are also numerous secondary stressors and issues that can add or complicate to the abuse case. Issues surrounding geographic location can affect the duration of abuse if the abused is isolated. Economic and financial stressors can play a role in a woman staying with an abuser, as well as religious beliefs and stigma. Many women may feel disenfranchised or rejected if abuse was made public. Other stressors and factors include the age of the couple, with younger couples experiencing abuse at a higher level, as well as the role of drugs and alcohol (James, 2017, p. 294).
In addition, there are many myths about domestic violence that can sometimes look to dismiss it as not as serious. One such myth is that battered women overstate their case, display too much sensitivity, or hate men or are looking for revenge. The reality is most women who report are not reporting the first incident but are reporting after multiple cases. Other myths involve justifying the abuse as if the woman or victim provoked the beating, or that if it was truly so bad, she would leave the relationship. These false myths need dismissed in order to give domestic violence the spotlight it deserves and the importance for society to make it not a family personal issue but a community one (James, 2017. p. 294).
Profile of the Batterer and Abuser
Batterers usually can have any of the following issues. They were battered themselves, faced poor family conditions as children, have anger and impulse control issues, deal with addictions, or suffer from a variety of emotional and cognitive disorders. Characteristics of individuals, in particular men, who abuse suffer from a variety of issues. Many demonstrate excessive dependency and possessiveness toward a women. Others have poor communication skills and can only filter anger to express. Others may have unreal expectations of their spouses or partners. Others may see themselves as dominant and set up rigid family control patterns for the spouse and children that cannot be infringed upon. Many men who abuse also are characterized as jealous, impulsive, denying, depressive, demanding, aggressive and violent. In addition, many suffer from low self esteem and form addictive habits (James, 2019, p. 293). Many abusers usually look to minimize abuse. They may deny battering, minimize the battery, or project the battery onto the victim (James, 2017, .p. 321).
Some batterers are a family only batterers. These types act out but are quick to seek forgiveness. Others with low level anti-social tendencies, or violent anti-social tendencies are far more dangerous and terroristic. This does not mean family only batterers do not have serious issues or can lead to fatal outcomes. It just means, there violence is more confined to the home and nowhere else and it may not be due to deeper psychological disorders (James, 2017., p. 296). However, it is important to note, any physical violence, even a push or shove, or threat is too much. There needs to be zero tolerance for any type of behavior.
Profile of the Abused
Abused women on the other hand suffer various characteristics that fall into compliance with abuse and perpetrate its continuance. These characteristics are sometimes sought out by abusers since it enables control. Many abused women lack self esteem due to the continuous verbal insults. They lack self confidence in abilities to make the situation better. Many women who are abused come from past history of being abused, much as the abuser. They may regularize the abuse as something familiar and normal. Many women who are subject to abuse are very dependent upon the spouse and are unable to escape the situation, or fear leaving due to stigma. Many women cannot differentiate between love and sex and also feel it is their duty to fix the abuser by staying (James, 2017, p. 294).
Many women simply live and relive the vicious cycle of abuse. They accept the the tranquil periods or first phase of tranquility of no violence but soon enough, the second phase of tension starts to build and the third phase of a violent outburst occurs. Upon this, the relationship enters into a pivotal crisis state of whether the abuser will seek forgiveness or re-assert dominance where the victim accepts the situation and re-enters a new tranquility phase. Only till the victim stops the cycle will the domestic violence end (James, 2017, p. 296).
Assessment and Intervention
Upon any report of domestic violence, human service professionals are required to report. This involves documenting the abuse with pictures and statements, assuring the victim of her rights and giving her a plan, and finally, reporting the incident to appropriate authorities (James, 2017, p. 300). Most disclosures occur at shelters, hospitals, on scene, via a crisis call or after an arrest. Unfortunately, sometimes it is difficult to access battered women or to get them to display bruises or report a crime. The Battered Woman Scale measures traits that make it difficult for battered woman to discuss or report abuse. Overall, most women possess traits of those with PTSD (James, 2017, p. 299).
During the clinical interview it is important to believe a woman who reports battering. Most women who finally have enough courage to report, are finally doing so after numerous incidents and are finally realizing the life or death nature of the situation. It is important to listen with empathy, provide support and facilitate the necessary course of action for the victim (James, 2017, p. 302). It is important as a crisis responder or counselor to be real with the victim and listen with empathy. The victim should be allowed to express emotion and the time she needs to express and tell it. The counselor should maintain eye contact during this phase and exercise empathetic listening skills. It is also important to remain respectful and non-judgemental. This is a very difficult story for the woman to tell and she needs to be applauded and not questioned with “why”. Counselors need to also help restate the victim’s thoughts and feelings and help guide the victim to better options and ways to resolve the issue and any fears she may have or possess. Finally, it is important to follow through and check on the victim’s process (James, 2017. p. 304).
Over the long term, it is important to provide psychoeducation about abuse and feelings associated with it. It is important to emphasize how unjust family violence is and how to better cope with it in the future. Other victims may also need aid in dealing with PSTD, or other stressors that are preventing them from healing and moving forward. In addition, women, families and victims need social support to help through the process (James, 2017, p.314)
Many abusers will need more than merely anger management, but additional support groups to help individuals face their own inner demons and to see the damage their violence does to the people they love. This may also involve drug and addiction therapy, as well as public intervention.
Conclusion
Domestic abuse whether verbal or physical is always wrong. It has deeper roots usually and cause deep crisis and trauma to victims. Many who perpetrate it have their own inner issues. While men usually are the perpetrator, it is important to note that not only women and children can be abused, but men can also be abused by women. In addition, same sex couples also face the same domestic issues heterosexual couples face. Counselors, crisis specialists, chaplains, pastors and social workers can play large roles in helping stop the cycle of violence and helping victims find safety through good assessment, reporting and future therapy.
Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Specialist Program as well as its Anger Management Consulting Certification. The programs are online and independent study with mentorship as needed.
Resource
James, R & Gilliland, B. (2017). “Crisis Intervention Strategies”. (8th). Cengage
Additional Resources
“The National Domestic Violence Hotline”. Access here
“Domestic Violence”. Psychology Today. Access here
“Domestic violence against women: Recognize patterns, seek help”. Mayo Clinic Staff. Access here
Strong, R. (2023). “What Is Domestic Violence? Learn the Signs and How to Get Help Now”. Healthline. Access here