Domestic Violence and Stalking Chapter 10

Defining and Identifying The Prevalence of Domestic Violence Aggression perpetrated within a significant interpersonal relationship Includes psychological, physical, and sexual aggression Prevalence estimates may vary depending on source of sample and methodology of study Clinical versus Community Samples Self-report surveys, interviews, and criminal justice statistics

Assessment of Domestic Violence Among Intimate Partner CTS (Conflict Tactics Scale) Most common measure used to assess domestic violence Focuses on Severity and Frequency Assesses psychological aggression, physical aggression, sexual aggression, and negotiation behaviors Has been criticized for various reasons

Assessing Consequences of Domestic Violence Physical May result in 1.4 million emergency room visits each year Psychological PTSD Battered woman syndrome Depression Substance abuse Low self-esteem

Risk Factors and Risk Assessment in Domestic Violence May be especially important to focus on the perceptions of the victim Especially important when victim is in continued contact with perpetrator Risk Factors for Domestic Violence Have largely examined risk factors for the onset of physical violence

Demographic and Historical Factors Age Socioeconomic Status Race other variables account for relationship Childhood exposure to domestic violence Intergenerational transmission of violence

Psychological Characteristics related to Domestic Violence Anger or Hostility Substance use and Abuse Related to immediate and chronic use Depression May be related to heightened display of emotion

Relationship and Contextual Factors Related to Perpetration Marital satisfaction Communication patterns Pregnancy Ending an intimate relationship

Assessing Risk and Recidivism Hilton and Harris (2005) identified several risk factors for recidivism Antisocial behavior Psychopathy Substance abuse History of assault Psychological abuse in relationship

Principles of Spousal Risk Assessment 1. Risk Assessments Should Consider Risk Factors Supported in the Literature 2. Risk Assessments Should Employ Multiple Sources of Information 3. Risk Assessments Should be Victim-Informed 4. Risk Assessments Can be Improved by Using Tools and/or Guidelines 5. Risk Assessment Should Lead to Risk Management

Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Measures Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA) Structured Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) Actuarial Danger Assessment Scale (DAS) Yes/No interview with victim

Domestic Violence Treatment Educational and Psychological Treatment Programs for Men Often court-referred Based on feminist (Duluth) and CBT perspectives Effectiveness is unclear Programs for Women Increasing self-esteem, decreasing self-blame, and increasing awareness of abuse alternatives Individual or Group-based Programs for Couples Should only occur after cessation of violence

Community-Based Interventions Shelters Safe homes Advocacy Criminal Justice Interventions Arrest Mandatory arrest polices Restraining Orders Almost 1/3 are violated Different causes for different severity levels of domestic violence

Gender Differences in the Perpetration of Domestic Violence Criminal databases estimate that 10 times as many women as men are victims of domestic violence National surveys find that rates based on frequency counts are roughly equal, though women are less likely to inflict harm Recent studies have revealed that men and women’s violence share similar correlates Difference between Battering and Domestic Violence may be important

Stalking All 50 states in the U.S. have an anti-stalking law willful harassment of a person with the intent to injure, terrify, threaten, or intimidate Stalker Types Simple Obsessional (65%) Love Obsessional (25%) Erotomanic (5%)

Stalking Behaviors Followed, spied on, stood outside home 77% Made unwanted phone calls 52% Overt threats 44% Sent of left unwanted letters, items 30% Vandalized property 29.5% Killed or threatened to kill family pet 7.5%