Aggression & Violence

Violence

  • 2.1 million incidents of IPV in 1994

  • 951,930 incidents of IPV in 2022

    • These are the number of incidents, not people. Many of these incidents occurred to the same people multiple times.

  • 47.3% of women and 44.2% of men will experience some form of IPV in their lifetime

    • The reported impact that IPV affects 41% of women and 26% of men (PTSD symptoms, injury, fear, missing work, etc.)

Continuum of Violence

  • Verbal Abuse

    • Contempt; psychological abuse

  • Neglect

    • Stonewalling: persistent avoidance

  • Physical Abuse/Violence

    • Mild to moderate physical abuse; threats; low to moderate frequency

  • Battering

    • Significant attempt to injure; moderate to high frequency

  • Homicide

Current Terminology

  • “Situational Couple Violence” (reactive)

    • Perpetrated by both males and females

    • Moderately aggressive behaviors (slapping, pushing, throwing)

    • May occur in as many as 50% of couples

  • “Coercive Controlling Violence” (proactive)

    • Predominantly male-perpetrated

    • Prevalent throughout the relationship

    • Intense in nature (“battering”)

    • Used to dominate/control one partner

Marriage License = Hitting License?

  • 1994 data: 8% wives and 6% husbands reported that an argument in the past year had become physical

  • Fewer said things had become violent (4%; throwing, pushing)

  • Of these, 18% wives and 7% husbands experienced injury

  • 1.7% wives and .75% husbands are battered even once a year

  • Being unmarried places women at special risk for domestic abuse

    • 2/3 of IPV against women is not committed by husbands

    • Rape = 5% husband; 21% ex-spouse, ex-boyfriend, boyfriend; 56% acquaintance, friend

    • Arguments have become violent in the past year? Married = 4%; cohabiting = 13%

  • More commitment = less violence

  • Married men/women least likely victims

Risk Factors for IPV

  • Perpetrators

    • Low income, self-esteem, academics

    • History of being abused and of being violent/aggressive

    • Emotional insecurity, dependence, immaturity

    • Substance use

    • Anger and hostility

    • Controlling, possessive

    • Belief in strict gender roles

    • Personality disorders

  • Victims

    • Romanticizing partners’ risk factors

    • Substance abuse

    • High-risk sexual behavior

    • Young age, immaturity

    • Experiencing violence as a child

    • Less or more education than partner

  • Relationship

    • Cohabitation; low commitment

    • Poverty, economic stress

    • Relationship instability

    • Others’ approval of the relationship

What to do?

  • See risk factors in a potential partner?

    • Run

  • Stuck in an abusive relationship?

    • Do whatever it takes to get out

      • Make sure you are safe

    • Much more likely to get worse, not better

  • Know someone who is stuck?

    • Make sure they know you are there for them when they’re ready to get out.