The Unpredictable World of Domestic Violence

Victims of Domestic Violence are often plagued by their own emotions and/or circumstances. Not to mention. The fact that fear, and/or the lack of resources may hinder a victim's ability to escape violent situations; thus leaving the victim in a catch 22 positions. Such a situation may lead to the death of the offender, the victim, or both. Therefore, society as a whole becomes responsible for the best interest of everyone involved; especially any minor children. This means that individual citizens, medical personnel, therapists, as well as public officials must become educated concerning the history and effects of domestic violence. Therefore, this document will provide a detailed description of abuse, describe its cycle, and explain how forensic psychology is related to Domestic Violence.

The Unpredictable World of Domestic Violence

Introduction

Acts of Domestic Violence (DV) date back to the beginning of time, however the acknowledgement of DV as a criminal act is still fairly new. In fact, it's been documented that "Haven House" DV shelter opened approximately six years (Haven House, 2009) before the 1970's Women's Right Movement made the issues concerning DV an American priority (Suite101, 2009); which then caused a chain reaction that eventually initiated the 1990 change in the way that law enforcement viewed family abuse. Actually, It was during this time that police procedure was altered, "single party" arrest became the preferred response for handling DV calls, and courts began to sentence first time offenders to 6-months in jail (Suite101, 2009). You could say that the American society was well on its way to change, because by 1994, Americans passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) making DV and sexual assault, an actual crime. This Act not only created new laws and new punishments, it began providing extra funding for agencies that provided relief services. This service was improved further when the Act was reauthorized in 2000, at which time stalking, and date violence were added to the mix, and again in 2006 when the law was once more re-authorized and additional programs and services added. These programs caused DV rates to drop (NWHIC-3, 2009).

However, the VAWA gave only a temporary reprieve, because DV rates rose again in 1995, which caused, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Justice to create the National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women. This group of Committee members spends their time working to extend their expertise regarding issues of "domestic violence, sexual assault and rape, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse, substance abuse, mental health, and minority and women's health" (NWHIC-3, 2009). This brings us to the present, and as of today, approximately 15% of all adults in the United States have suffered the
powerful and controlling rapt of DV. The victims continue to vary in age, sex, religion, socioeconomic status, and physical characteristics. Even those who escape abuse on a "personal" level are not completely untouched. You see, 60% of our population knows someone who has been victimized (NDVH-2, 2009). Not to mention the fact that the average yearly cost of medical care for victims of DV runs no less than $150 million (ACOG, 2009)

What Is The Job Of A Forensic Psychologist?

Forensic psychology is the combined application of science and psychology that helps answer questions and/or resolve issues pretaining to the justice system (PGSP, 2009). Forensic psychologists involved in DV cases may provide psychological assessments and expert testimony which might deturmine a defendant's level of competance, legal responsibility, past present and future behavior, and/or (if convicted) their sentence (PGSP, 2009). In other words, the psychologist provides the court with aditional information that they may not otherwise have access to, but that would one way or another affect the case (PGSP, 2009).
Example Case

Case:

A woman kills her extreamly abusive husband, and then attempts to use Battered Woman's Syndrome (BWS) as part of her defense. Assessment/Evaluation

~A forensic psychologist is then called upon to use multiple sources (interviews with the defendant, psychological tests, medical and judicial records, and 3^rd party interviews) to examine the woman's personal and family history, IQ, personality, and preception of the crime.

~After which He or She would focus their attention on such questions as:

1. Did the woman believe that the abuse she suffered was her fault?

2. Can the woman place blame for the violent behavior somewhere else?

3. Did the woman truly fear for the life of her children and/or herself?

4. Did the woman have an irrational belief that her abuser was omnipresent and omniscient? Psychological Reports & Expert Testamony

After the completion of all interviews, tests, and record reviews the psychologist then compiles his or her report which he or she would deliver to the court. This report would answer such questions as:

1. Did the woman suffer a history of abuse by the hands of her husband?

2. Did the woman believe that the abuse she suffered was her fault?

3. Can the woman place blame for the violent behavior somewhere else?

4. Did the woman truly fear for the life of her children and/or herself when she committed the crime?

5. Did the woman have an irrational belief that her abuser was omnipresent and omniscient?

6. How does this woman perceive the relationship now?

[Special Note: psychologists may also be called upon to provide expert testimony for either side of the case, and they are expected to do so in a neutral, professional manner that is consistent with APA guidelines.]

It is through this procedure that the psychologist can verify a legitimate diagnosis and testify on the woman's behalf, or the psychologist could learn that the defendant is attempting to deceive the court and testify against the defendant; which would then assist the court in the sentencing of said client.

Take note: in order for a defendant to successfully claim BWS- Self-defense, the law requires that theendangered person be trapped in a high-threat situation, with slim to no chance of obtaining and or utilizing resources. In other words, the defendant must have been in a position where they were actively being physically assaulted or directly threatened (USDJ, 1996). At which time they would be expected to respond with fear or anxiety, physiological arousal, and other behaviors that are intended to help them avoid or change their situation (USDJ, 1996).

Cases of BWS-Insanity, on the other hand, require that the defendant be incapable of telling right from wrong at the time the offense occurred. Thus being a stipulation that makes the insanity defense a controversial subject, because many people believe that a woman who chooses to kill her abuser has made a life saving choice, which is by all means is a rational decision. [This does not include cases where the defendant has suffered mental defect that was brought on by head trauma, caused by the deceased.)

Of course, all this is irrelevant unless a psychologist has a complete understanding of domestic violence, is capable of determining whether the defendant was abused and how they may have been affected by the abuse, and whether or not they actually suffer from BWS in the first place. Therefore, it becomes important that each definition is explored and documented.

What Exactly Is Domestic Violence?

Abuse is any act committed by one or more individuals that inflicts harm on another individual physically, and/or emotionally. Domestic violence is a term associated with violent acts that occur within a household (NWHIC-1, 2009). Such actions may come in many forms; therefore, not all abusive relationships look alike. This can make diagnosing abuse quite complicated, to say the least. You see, physical abuse doesn't always produce visible injuries, and victims attempt to cover the damage when it does. The term describes such acts as pushing, shoving, slapping, hitting, beating, or biting. It also includes the use of weapons, physical restraint, and the withholding of life saving medications. Sexual abuse on the other hand, is any sexual contact that is undesired, and can be the result of manipulation. Unfortunately, when left unreported sexual abuse can remain undetected indefinitely, and this only begins to scratch the surface when describing abusive behaviors.

You see, someone who verbally abusestheir victims may do things like criticize the person over the little things the person does (NWHIC-1, 2009). The abuser may focus on a physical trait such as the individual's weight, or may play on a less physical trait such as a mental disability (NWHIC-1, 2009). They may even direct their comments on an act that they perceive to be inadequate, even when the individual has done nothing wrong (NWHIC-1, 2009). Then again, most verbal abuse crosses emotional abuse territory. For example, an abusive partner may monitor their victim's every move, and even accuse them of being unfaithful. They may control the family decision making processes, including financial and social activities (NWHIC-1, 2009). These acts of humiliation are more complicated, because the abuseroftenintimidates their partner by using personal statements, along with threats of physical violence that may be directed at the individual, their children, their pets and/or even to the offender him/herself (NWHIC-1, 2009).

The Cycle Of Abuse

Lenore Walker first developed the term Battered Women's Syndrome, in 1978 (USDJ, 1996). By 1979, It included a complete description of what life with an abusive partner might be like. This description was called the cycle of abuse, otherwise known as the cycle of violence theory (QIP, 2009). According to Walker, this is one of many explanations that can be used to describe how abusive relationships begin, and progress over time. Even more importantly, this theory seems to examine the reason why a victim might remain in such a relationship, and/or return to his or her abuser, once they have been safely evacuated from the situation (USDJ, 1996). Again, please remember that each relationship may contain various events, and even though some relationships veer from the path, most display a similar pattern. For instance, abusive relationships do not always begin with aggressive qualities. They often appear just as loving, sincere, and mutually committed as any other courtship. That is until stress between partners begins to unfold (USDJ, 1996), and the tension building phase begins.

In this first stage, confrontations lead one individual to criticize, manipulate, and or engage in minor physical confrontations (e.g.: forceful grabbing, smacking, or pushing). (Wrightsman, 2005) Not to mention, this stage may also be marked by financial and/or social control (USDJ, 1996). It is important to state that at this point, non-violent relationships, may very well be capible of resolving the issue alone (QIP, 2009). However, it is still important to understand that violent behavior often reoccures, and will lead to more violence; which can be more intemidating than the first.

You see, in the second stage, the cycle of violence becomes much more intense, and can be extreamly frightening for the victim. In this stage, offenders often express uncontrollable rage as both emotional and physical violence esculates (QIP, 2009). Of course, this seems like the perfect time for a victim to flee the scene, but the individual may be experiancing issues of his/her own. For instance, recollections of "better times" may create feelings of guilt and self- blame, followed by the false illusion that if the victim meets the abusers commands, then the abuse will end, and the relationship will return to it's pre-violent state. Unfortunately, such feelings can blind the victim from realitity, until the most vicious of explosive behaviors occure (Wrightsman, 2005). Then, if the victim survives, they may begin to seek a way out, yet still find themselve trapped by a lack of resources (e.g: financial, social-support, material items, etc), which in a round about way provides the offender with a license to continue the cycle. [SPECIAL NOTE: This in no way, shape, or form implies that a victim of abuse is responsible for their abusers actions. It is simply an explaination of how situations may unfold.]

Actually, many offenders experience an uphoric release of tension during an explosive episode, and this type of power can become addictive (QIP, 2009). Addiction (realized and acknowledged or not) can lead to feelings of remourse and shame, the act of retreat or withdraw from the relationship, promises that the abuse will never happen again, increased affectionate attention, and/or materialistic gifts to make up for the actions (QIP, 2009). Then again, the offender may simply try to justify their actions by blaming their victim, their work, drugs/ alcohol addiction, and/or other stressers for the pain they have caused the individual person/s they abuse. Either way the victim/s will feel hurt, and maybe even relieved that the violent event is over (QIP, 2009).

Generally speaking, an explosive moment will lead to the contrite-loving phase also known as the honeymoon phase (period between abusive behavior). This stage is often signified by an increase rate of denial by both the victim and the offender, because it can last up to a year or longer before the cycle begins again (USDJ, 1996). During this time, the individuals may even be happy to ignore the past. This leads to future issues, because the cycle eventually sneaks up and starts all over again (QIP, 2009).

What Should a Domestic Violence Victim Do?

The first step for a victim is to acknowledge the fact that they are with an abusive partner. This is not always an easy job, because there are the people in our lives that we readily recognize as being controlling, manipulative, and destructive. Then there are people whose charm, good looks, and/or intimacy (sex) conceals such behaviors well into years of marriage or commitment. Unfortunately for a victim, by then the honeymoon is over, and their attachment to these controlling abusive individuals becomes one that is legally binding, in ways that affect them physically, financially, and psychologically (Suite101-1, 2009) (This is a fact, whether or not the relationship produces children), which leaves them with a decision say and chance further abuse, or leave.

What the individual decides to do will depend on whether or not the individual understands the signs of abuse. For this reason, there are questions that are advertised on websites, and other places (e.g.: books, magazines, bill boards etc.) where public service announcements can be seen. For instance, the following information was taken from a site called "NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Office of Human Capital Management or OHCM."

It explains that abusive partners tend to utilize methods of emotional and psychological control and also provides a list of questions that are meant to assist a victim in assessing the situation w/ their partner. These questions include: Does he or she call you names, scream, insult you, and criticize you and/or your abilities as a wife, partner, or mother? Does he or she act in ways that seem be over protective, or jealous or does he or she control your where you go or who you communicate with? Does he or she control the family funds, and assets (credit cards, cash, cars) and/or prevent you from getting or keeping a job? Does he or she make false allegations to authorities, threaten to harm or kidnap your children? Does he or she display or use weapons to control you? Does the he or she use their "temper" to secure your submission to their demands? Or even worse, does he or she carry out active physical abuse by hitting, slapping, pulling hair, biting, or forcing you to engage in sexual relations against your will? Does he or she hit you, your children, or your pets? Does he destroy personal property? Of course, this is not a complete list but it provides an individual with an excellent start. Therefore, if a partner is restricting personal freedom and/or causing fearful emotions, it is highly likely that that partner is abusive and the victim should do what ever it takes to get away (OHCM, 2001).

The obvious choice for a victim should be to immediately flee the scene. However, more often than not, such action is impossible. Therefore, it is important that the victim begins to work on a safety plan. This plan should include a emergency kit that will assist the individual as they transition from abuse to healthy living. This kit should include the following items:

Safety Plan List Of Necessity Items

1. Identification, such as birth certificates, social security cards, driver's license, photo identification, and public assistance papers are a must. The victim will need these items in order to relocate, gain assistance, or incase they need to prove individual identity. Other forms of paperwork that might be considered, are proof of medical insurance, marriage/divorce papers, custody orders, legal protection orders, medical records, school records, proof of investments, car title, registration, and insurance information; along with work permits, and documents that declare residence such as deeds, leases,, and or rental agreements. Last but not least, an extra months supply of any and all medications for each person, as well as a copy of the original prescription if possible; just incase the perscription runs out (NWHIC-2, 2009).

2. The individual will need access to any personal funds and or a way to get by. Therefore, it's a good idea to collect any extra cash that can be spared, copies of credit cards, ATM cards and a spare checkbook or bankbook w/ deposit slips incase the person needs to access these accounts. The collection of jewelry or small objects that can be sold in the event that funds run low or for any reason lose access to your accounts (NWHIC-2, 2009) is also a idea worthy of consideration.

3. Remember, Many individuals are in such a hurry that they often forget to collect their keys and other important items that they may need to communicate with others. This is why it is important that an extra set of house, car, post office, and safety deposit box keys, along with a cell phone, calling card, and spare address book are kept with an escape kit. After all, a person never knows when they may need access to these items (NWHIC-2, 2009).

4. Last but not least, leaving an abusive situation may create complicated feelings for the victims especially those with children, so adults should try to gather some photos, and keepsakes for themselves and small toys or books for the children. It may be the saving grace, in the moments that they and/or the children need a pick me up (NWHIC-2, 2009).

Above all, these items should be stored together, especially if you are contemplating leaving an abusive situation. If possible, consider leaving them with someone, you trust. This would ensure that if you need to leave quickly, you would not have to waste time retrieving anything except your children, your pets, and yourself (NWHIC-2, 2009). [Special Note: DO NOT risk personal safety of yourself or your children in order to save a pet, but do take the pet if you can do so safely]

Conclusion

The fact is Safety should be a victim's and/or their support systems number one concern. Sure, the road ahead may be a tough one and things may seem over whelming. Nevertheless, it is important for everyone that victims receive the resources they need to return to a lifestyle that is secure from abuse. These resources may be as simple as a support person to talk to. It might be a public service center, or hotline that can assist the individual with housing, food, legal services, and/or finances. Either way there is absolutely no reason for DV victims to suffer alone. With this in mind, please document and post the National Domestic Violence Hotline number [1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1800-787-3224 (TTY)], because, this service is available 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week/ 52 weeks a year. Lastly, don't be afraid to ask about abuse and provide the number, because this simple step might provide a victim with answers during a crisis, or even save the life of someone seconds before it's too late. Either way, with your help, someone could become one of 19,500 callers who receive help through the hotline each month (NDVH-1, 2009). [Special Note: If more people followed these steps, the abuse rate would decrease, less people would die, and our society would become a safer place to dwell]

Resources:

Haven House (2009) About Us. Retrieved February 1, 2009 from the Haven House Website:

http://havenhousela.com/domestic_violence/shelter/info/C61/

Office of Human Capital Management (OHCM). (2001). Domestic Violence. Retrieved on February 2,

2009 from the NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Office of Human Capital Management Website: http://ohcm.gsfc.nasa.gov/family/domestic/arerelation.htm

Pacific Graduate School Of Psychology (PGSP). (2008) Forensic Psychology. Retrieved on February

2, 2009 from the Pacific Graduate School Of Psychology website: http://www.pgsp.edu/program_phd_forensic_psychology.php

Queen Island Police (QIP). (2009). The Cycle Of Violence. Retrieved on February 7, 2009, from the

Queen Island Police Website: http://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/crimePrevention/dv/cycle.htm

Suite101 (2009). The History of Domestic Violence; From Earlier Days, to the More Recent Ways to

Deal With Family Abuse. Retrieved from the Suite101, Genuine Article Website: http://abuse.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_history_of_domestic_violence

Suite101-1 (2009). Inside Abusive Relationships; People that Abuse are Not All Bad People.

Retrieved from the Suite101, Genuine Article Website: http://abuse.suite101.com/article.cfm/inside_abusive_relationships

the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2009). INTERPERSONAL

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE LIFE SPAN. Retrieved from the

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website:

http://www.acog.org/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=17&bulletin=186

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH-1) (2009). Retrieved from the National Domestic

Violence Hotline website: http://www.ndvh.org/

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH-2) (2009). Abuse in America. Retrieved from the

National Domestic Violence Hotline website: http://www.ndvh.org/get-educated/abuse-in-america/

The National Woman's Health Information Center (NWHIC-1). (2009) What is Abuse. Retrieved

February 6, 2009 from the National Woman's Health Information Center Website:

http://www.4woman.gov/violence/signs/

The National Woman's Health Information Center (NWHIC-2). (2009) Safty Planning List. Retrieved

February 6, 2009 from the National Woman's Health Information Center Website: http://www.4woman.gov/violence/planning/

The National Woman's Health Information Center (NWHIC-3). (2009) Laws and Legislation.

Retrieved February 6, 2009 from the National Woman's Health Information Center Website:

http://www.4woman.gov/violence/legislation/

The National Woman's Health Information Center (NWHIC-4). (2009) Domestic and Intimate Partner

Violence. Retrieved February 6, 2009 from the National Woman's Health Information Center Website: http://www.4woman.gov/violence/types/domestic.cfm

U.S. Department of Justice (USDJ) ( 1996) The Validity and Use of Evidence Concerning Battering

And It's Effects in Criminal Trials. Retrieved on February 7, 2009 from the National Criminal

Justice Referral Service Website: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/batter.pdf