Defintions

Domestic Violence

  • Violence that occurs within a household

  • Ex: roommates, intimate partners who cohabitate, children

Intimate Partner Violence (formerly known as domestic violence

  • Violence against an intimate partner or former intimate partner whether or not they share a common household

Family Violence

  • Violence between family members

Consequences

  • Mental Health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, PTSD

  • Smoking, binge drinking, risky sex

  • Difficulty in employment

  • Homelessness and unstable housing

  • Physical Injuries

Prevalence of IPV

  • 41% of women and 26% of men experiences sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by a partner

  • Dating violence = teens

IPV and the Law

  • Violence against Women Act

    • Law enacted in 1994, last reauthorized in 2022 (up for reauthorization every 5 years)

    • Responses and protections against domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking

    • Supports survivors of all genders

  • VAWA 2022

    • Includes increased support to CDC

      • Rape Prevention and Education Program

      • Sexual Assault Services Program

    • Fairness for Rape Kit backlog Survivors Act

    • Alternative approaches to justice for survivors at risk of gun violence

Theories

Psychodynamic Theory

  • A theory that places importance on unconscious desires and conflicts and how that affects personality and behaviors

  • In this theory, previous trauma leads to certain behaviors to manage the trauma

    • Repetition

Object Relations Theory

  • Children have an innate desire to connect with others

  • If this drive is met with inadequate nurturing, the future adult may seek abusive relationships

Attachment Theory

  • Theory on the development of bonds between infants and caregivers

    • Secure- feel safe and supported

    • Insecure-may worry about rejection and abandonment, or avoid intimacy, or both

      Children with insecure attachments styles may grow up to be in violent relationships as violent relationships are consistent with insecure attachment

Social Control Theory

  • In families (including couples), one individual uses violence as a way to maintain control and power

  • When control is threatened, the abuser responds with violence

Resource Theory

  • Those who have access to resources (higher income) can use those resources to control others

  • Some of this controlling behavior may include violence

Cognitive Behavioral Theory

  • Cognitive behavioral theory suggests that all behavior is learned

  • Violent behaviors involve distorted thoughts

  • Violent behaviors can be unlearned through modeling and through challenging erroneous thought

Feminist Theory

  • Intimate partner violence is a result of gender inequalities based on a patriarchal system

    • In general, men have greater access to higher incomes and other resources than women

    • Inequity leaves women more vulnerable to violence because it is harder to leave without resources

  • Violence in interpersonal relationships is one manifestation of oppression in society

Interventions

  • Housing programs

  • Emergency shelter

  • immigration assistance

  • Legal assistance

  • Medical treatment for physical injury

  • Mental health counseling or group

  • Batterer Intervention Programs