WCADV Core Advocacy Training Laurie Jorgensen April 19, 2011

What are examples of abuse we see or hear about as we provide services?

Domestic Violence   New field of study and services (30 yrs old)   Still primarily female victims of all ages   Also women, men and transgender   Opposite and same sex relationships   People with disabilities and none

What do we know?   All income, education, resources   Varied levels of trauma and injury   Individualized circumstances and needs   Victims seldom self-identify that what they are experiencing is domestic abuse or violence

What does it look like? Source: Domestic Abuse Intervention Project Duluth, MN

Who?  Young and old…all ages  Opposite and same sex  Women, men and transgender  People with disabilities and with none  All levels of income, jobs and resources

Domestic Abuse is NOT…  Acts that come out of brain injuries or dementia  Situational violence without a pattern or dynamic of power and control  Someone “losing control” (common excuse)

Trauma-Informed   One-time vs. culmulative trauma   Seeking outside help is not first resort   Victims are wary, distrustful   Victims are vigilant and resourceful   Victims prioritize survival

How does violence differ by gender?  Vast majority of general violence happens to men by men 70% of violence crime against strangers = crimes against males 70% of violence crime against strangers = crimes against males 76% of victims of male homicide are men 76% of victims of male homicide are men Men commit between 85 – 99% of reported rape, murder, assault, domestic and sexual violence Jhally, 2000 & Bonderman, 1995 Men commit between 85 – 99% of reported rape, murder, assault, domestic and sexual violence Jhally, 2000 & Bonderman, 1995  Women’s use of violence against men is most often retaliatory or defensive.

How does violence differ by gender?  Violence against Women is mostly perpetrated by someone they know 77% of crimes against relatives/partners = crimes against females 77% of crimes against relatives/partners = crimes against females  Men’s violence against women is systematic and supported by social norms Women as objects Women as objects Male roles - Boys will be boys; don’t be a sissy Male roles - Boys will be boys; don’t be a sissy Power over others is desired Power over others is desired

How does domestic abuse differ by gender?   Women are injured more frequently and far more severely   When the relationship ends, Men-abuse ends Women-abuse escalates, stalking   FEAR-emergency room research found that men are not afraid of partner; women are terrified

The Abusive Mentality  Manipulative  Strives to have a good public image  Feels justified, entitled, superior  Denies and minimizes behavior  Is possessive  Disrespects victim Adapted from Lundy Bancroft, Why Does He Do That?

Domestic Abuse is NOT…  Mutual abuse  Violence without the power and control dynamic or pattern  A loss of control  Committed by individuals with brain injuries or dementia

We need to ask ourselves… Is this woman coming through the door my “client” or my sister? How will that change how I see and work to help her?