Sociology 1201 Domestic violence Dfn: Violence between family members or between men and women in intimate relationships Dfn: Violence between family members or between men and women in intimate relationships How common? My neighborhood (statistics next) How common? My neighborhood (statistics next) How many of you know someone who has been physically assaulted by someone in their family or someone who they have been dating? How many of you know someone who has been physically assaulted by someone in their family or someone who they have been dating?

Sociology 1201 National Violence Against Women Survey (NIJ, CDC) N=8000 % of women who reported having been physically assaulted by an intimate partner: 22% % of women who reported having been physically assaulted by an intimate partner: 22% Beat up: 9% Beat up: 9% Choked, tried to drown: 6% Choked, tried to drown: 6% Kicked, bit: 6% Kicked, bit: 6% Hit with object: 5% Hit with object: 5% Threatened with gun: 4% Threatened with gun: 4% Stalked: 5% Stalked: 5% Raped: 8% Raped: 8%

Sociology 1201 Related issues Are there abused men? In comparable survey, 8% of men reported physical assaults… in my view, intimidation the key. Are there abused men? In comparable survey, 8% of men reported physical assaults… in my view, intimidation the key. Domestic violence does take place within gay and lesbian relationships, and is higher for men. Domestic violence does take place within gay and lesbian relationships, and is higher for men.

Sociology 1201 Institutional Features (explain) Source: Richard Gelles, Intimate Violence: The Causes and Consequences of Abuse in the American Family. Time at risk Time at risk Intensity of involvement: primary group Intensity of involvement: primary group Right of influence Right of influence Age and sex differences Age and sex differences Ascribed roles Ascribed roles Privacy Privacy

Sociology 1201 Conflict theory/feminist theory: sex In most forms of violence, males predominate, and if we control for time spent with the children, this is also true for child abuse. In most forms of violence, males predominate, and if we control for time spent with the children, this is also true for child abuse. Anthropology: The more sex equality in a society, the less violence toward women. Anthropology: The more sex equality in a society, the less violence toward women.

Sociology 1201 Social structure: Social class Gelles (Through a Sociological Lens: Social Structure and Family Violence): “The risk of child abuse, wife abuse, and elder abuse is greatest among those who are poor, who are unemployed, and who hold low-prestige jobs.” Gelles (Through a Sociological Lens: Social Structure and Family Violence): “The risk of child abuse, wife abuse, and elder abuse is greatest among those who are poor, who are unemployed, and who hold low-prestige jobs.” Stress and the lack of resources to handle it successfully Stress and the lack of resources to handle it successfully

Sociology 1201 Social structure: Age Violence more common for those in the age range (same as with street crimes) Violence more common for those in the age range (same as with street crimes) These are also the prime years of family formation These are also the prime years of family formation

Sociology 1201 Sociological theories: selected propositions from Gelles Violent acts by violent persons may produce desired results (intimidation) Violent acts by violent persons may produce desired results (intimidation) The more resources a person has, the less he or she will need to use force in an open manner to get his/her way The more resources a person has, the less he or she will need to use force in an open manner to get his/her way

Sociology 1201 Why do victims stay? Battered self-esteem and isolation Battered self-esteem and isolation Intimidation/fear of more violence (beatings and even killings as a result of trying to leave) Intimidation/fear of more violence (beatings and even killings as a result of trying to leave) Lack of resources Lack of resources Role of police/prosecutors/family/community Role of police/prosecutors/family/community Religious misinterpretations Religious misinterpretations

Sociology 1201 Feminist theory and battering Gelles: “Feminist theory is becoming the dominant model for explaining violence toward women.” Gelles: “Feminist theory is becoming the dominant model for explaining violence toward women.” Cross cultural research Cross cultural research Contains both an explanation and a solution Contains both an explanation and a solution Many feminist scholars are sociologists Many feminist scholars are sociologists “Feminist theory offers a single-variable analysis, albeit a powerful one, in a multi- variable world.” “Feminist theory offers a single-variable analysis, albeit a powerful one, in a multi- variable world.”

Sociology 1201 How did battering emerge as a social problem? Battered women’s movement, beginning in England in the early 1970s: Scream Softly… Battered women’s movement, beginning in England in the early 1970s: Scream Softly… Spread to the U.S., early priority of NOW Spread to the U.S., early priority of NOW First four shelters, including the one in Duluth, funded by legislature in 1977 First four shelters, including the one in Duluth, funded by legislature in 1977

Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention ProjectDuluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project After a particularly brutal domestic homicide in Duluth in 1980, founders set out to reform police, court and human services response to domestic violence. Activists from battered women’s movement around the country invited to Dulth to help build guidelines for counselors to use in court-mandated groups. “The Duluth Model” After a particularly brutal domestic homicide in Duluth in 1980, founders set out to reform police, court and human services response to domestic violence. Activists from battered women’s movement around the country invited to Dulth to help build guidelines for counselors to use in court-mandated groups. “The Duluth Model” Sociology 1201

Video: “Power and Control” Groups: Groups: Sociology 1201

“The Duluth Model” Cooperation among criminal justice, social welfare, and advocacy organizations Cooperation among criminal justice, social welfare, and advocacy organizations Arrest policy Arrest policy 24 weeks of group counseling mandated for abusers as a condition of probation 24 weeks of group counseling mandated for abusers as a condition of probation Violence is recognized as a means of power and control Violence is recognized as a means of power and control

Sociology 1201 Basic principles(selected) The first priority of intervention should be to carry out policies and protocols which protect the victim from further harm and whenever possible, the burden of holding abusers accountable should rest with the community, not the victim. The first priority of intervention should be to carry out policies and protocols which protect the victim from further harm and whenever possible, the burden of holding abusers accountable should rest with the community, not the victim. The primary focus of intervention is on stopping the assailant's use of violence, not on fixing or ending the relationship. The primary focus of intervention is on stopping the assailant's use of violence, not on fixing or ending the relationship. In general, the court avoids prescribing a course of action for the victim, e.g., does not force a victim to testify by threatening jail, nor mandate treatment for the victim. In general, the court avoids prescribing a course of action for the victim, e.g., does not force a victim to testify by threatening jail, nor mandate treatment for the victim. Policies and procedures should act as a general deterrent to battering in the community. Policies and procedures should act as a general deterrent to battering in the community. All interventions must account for the power imbalance between the assailant and the victim. All interventions must account for the power imbalance between the assailant and the victim.

Sociology 1201

Women’s Violence Women’s violence toward their male partners that is neither in self defense nor in response to being battered is rare but can still be dangerous. During its first ten years, the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project worked with just under 100 women who physically assaulted their partners (3.5% of all offenders in that time period). In seven cases, the men were being pursued and terrorized by their partners and had been unable to leave the situation. Sociology 1201

Abusers are capable of transformation Abusers are capable of transformation Not all alike: some show no apparent remorse; others are truly appalled at their behavior. Not all alike: some show no apparent remorse; others are truly appalled at their behavior. Must be held personally responsible by the community. Must be held personally responsible by the community. Must establish an environment that is nonjudgmental, nonviolent, and respectful of women and children. Must establish an environment that is nonjudgmental, nonviolent, and respectful of women and children. Must be willing to work through a long process in which he becomes accountable. Must be willing to work through a long process in which he becomes accountable. Sociology 1201

ASSUMPTIONS OF THE CURRICULUM ASSUMPTIONS OF THE CURRICULUM Violence and its threat are used to control other people. Violence and its threat are used to control other people. A continuing force in the relationship A continuing force in the relationship Not cyclical but ongoing Not cyclical but ongoing Intention to gain control over partner’s actions, thoughts, and feelings Intention to gain control over partner’s actions, thoughts, and feelings Learn these tactics in family of origin and in the culture Learn these tactics in family of origin and in the culture “Out of control” with a purpose “Out of control” with a purpose Sociology 1201

Equality Wheel Equality WheelEquality WheelEquality Wheel Sociology 1201

How could the program be evaluated? How could the program be evaluated? Would love to be able to access reliable data on changes in the rate of domestic violence in Duluth over the years the program has operated, including rate of partner killings. Would love to be able to access reliable data on changes in the rate of domestic violence in Duluth over the years the program has operated, including rate of partner killings. Compare rates of time in comparable cities with and without the Duluth Model Compare rates of time in comparable cities with and without the Duluth Model Sociology 1201

Violence against children First publicized in the U.S. as the result of an article by pediatric radiologists in JAMA in 1962: “The Battered Child Syndrome” First publicized in the U.S. as the result of an article by pediatric radiologists in JAMA in 1962: “The Battered Child Syndrome” Much more difficult to measure than battering of adults Much more difficult to measure than battering of adults 2009: 720,000 substantiated reports of child neglect or abuse (Child Maltreatment 2009, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) 2009: 720,000 substantiated reports of child neglect or abuse (Child Maltreatment 2009, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Sociology 1201 Control agencies Laws requiring reporting of suspected abuse by teachers and medical personnel Laws requiring reporting of suspected abuse by teachers and medical personnel Family court Family court Social welfare agencies Social welfare agencies Minnesota Department of Human Services Minnesota Department of Human Services Minnesota Department of Human Services Minnesota Department of Human Services

Sociology 1201 Causes Social organization of the family: intensity and isolation Social organization of the family: intensity and isolation Lack of knowledge about child development Lack of knowledge about child development Adult caregivers who were themselves abused as children Adult caregivers who were themselves abused as children Inequality Inequality Power and control again Power and control again Cultural beliefs about punishment? Cultural beliefs about punishment?

Sociology 1201 Consequences of child abuse An estimated 30% of those who are abused become abusers, compared with 5% of the general population An estimated 30% of those who are abused become abusers, compared with 5% of the general population Chesney-Lind, Wisconsin study: 79% of the girls in the juvenile justice system had been abused, physically or sexually Chesney-Lind, Wisconsin study: 79% of the girls in the juvenile justice system had been abused, physically or sexually

Sociology 1201 Solutions Parenting education Parenting education “Visiting nurse” programs (Elmira) “Visiting nurse” programs (Elmira) Parents Anonymous and the like Parents Anonymous and the like Removal of children by Child Protective Services Removal of children by Child Protective Services Legal changes to more quickly terminate parental rights Legal changes to more quickly terminate parental rights High quality childcare for mothers that are poor, young, single High quality childcare for mothers that are poor, young, single Less poverty and racial injustice Less poverty and racial injustice

Popenoe: the Future of Marriage in America The National Marriage Project, Rutgers University ( The National Marriage Project, Rutgers University ( “Marriage is now based almost enirely on close friendship and romantic love, mostly stripped of the economic dependencies, legal and religious restrictions, and extended family pressures that held marriages together for most of human history.” “Marriage is now based almost enirely on close friendship and romantic love, mostly stripped of the economic dependencies, legal and religious restrictions, and extended family pressures that held marriages together for most of human history.” Sociology 1201

Marriage gap People who have completed college (around 25% of the population) have higher marriage rates and lower divorce rates. People who have completed college (around 25% of the population) have higher marriage rates and lower divorce rates. 16.5% of college educated women divorce within ten years of marriage. 16.5% of college educated women divorce within ten years of marriage. 46% of high school dropout women divorce in that same time frame 46% of high school dropout women divorce in that same time frame Sociology 1201

But there’s also a fertility gap. 24% of college women are childless 24% of college women are childless Only 15% of women who didn’t finish high school are childless. Only 15% of women who didn’t finish high school are childless. Therefore more of our kids are growing up in circumstances in which marriages are less likely or more fragile. Therefore more of our kids are growing up in circumstances in which marriages are less likely or more fragile. Sociology 1201

The past decade “There can be no doubt that the institution of marriage has continued to weaken.” Popenoe “There can be no doubt that the institution of marriage has continued to weaken.” Popenoe --Fewer American adults are married --Fewer American adults are married ---More are divorced or remaining single. ---More are divorced or remaining single. ---More children are born out of wedlock (40%+) ---More live with stepfamilies, with cohabiting but unmarried adults, or with a single parent. Sociology 1201

The future The future will soon lie in the hands of your generation. Good luck! The future will soon lie in the hands of your generation. Good luck! Sociology 1201