Karen M. G. Hughes, MC Domestic Violence Therapist

 Types of Domestic Violence  Cycle of Violence and Progression of Violence  Battering Behaviors  Victim Feelings  Effects of Domestic Violence on others  Legal Remedies  Safe Plans

1. Domestic violence only affects families or lower socioeconomic levels. 2. The most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence is after leaving the relationship. 3. Alcohol and drug abuse causes domestic violence 4. Domestic violence happens because of anger management issues the abuser is having. 5. If a victim remains in an abusive relationship, it means they must like the abuse. 6. Domestic violence only occurs in heterosexual relationships.

Witnessing domestic violence in the home has lasting effects on children, including increasing the likelihood that females will become involved with an abusive partner at some point in their lives and that males will be abusive towards their partners in later relationships. 8. The average amount of times a victim will leave and return before leaving on a permanent basis is It is important to ensure the victim that the abuse is not their fault. 10. A protective order offers protection from the abuser at work, home and school for up to one year.

 How do you define domestic violence?

1. A pattern of coercive and controlling behavior used to gain POWER and CONTROL over another person 2. Domestic violence is the debilitating experience of being physically, psychologically, and/or sexually abused. It is associated with increased isolation, limited personal freedom, and accessibility to resources. Its purpose is to control, dominate or hurt another person within an intimate relationship. It is primarily a learned behavior whose effects, without intervention, becomes more destructive over time.

 Whenever a person is placed in physical danger or controlled by the threat or use of physical force, they have been the victim of domestic violence. The risk for this violence is greatest when the person is separated from the support of friends and family members by their abuser.

 Physical Abuse  Emotional Abuse  Sexual Abuse

 Using Emotional Abuse  Minimizing, denying, and blaming  Using Children  Using Male Privilege  Using Economic Abuse  Using Coercion and Threats  Using Intimidation

 Jealousy  Controlling Behavior  Quick Involvement  Unrealistic Expectations  Isolation  Blames Others for Problems, Feelings  Hypersensitivity  Cruelty to Animals

 ‘Playful’ use of Force in Sex  Verbal Abuse  Rigid Sex Roles  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde  Past Battering  Threats of Violence  Breaking or Striking Objects  Any Force during an Argument

 Fear of more abuse  Concerns about effects of separation/divorce on children.  Emotional dependency  Concern about loss of economic security  Physical and/or social isolation from family/friends/community  Strong cultural and religious beliefs about marriage.  Acceptance of violence as ‘normal’.  Lack of information and resources.  Prior unsuccessful attempts to obtain help.

 Step 1: Safety during a violent incident  Step 2: Safety when preparing to leave  Step 3: Safety in your residence  Step 4: Safety with Protective Order  Step 5: Safety on the Job

 Intervention/Therapy  Effects of Domestic Abuse on Children - emotional - cognitive - behavioral - social - physical

 Frightened  Guilty  Ashamed  Confused  Hopeless

 Acting Out  Withdrawn  Regression

 Development  Physical  Learning

 For Child Abuse  For Injury  For Violent Behavior  For Suicide  For Domestic Violence in Adult Relationships

 24 Hour Hotlines HELP  Domestic Violence Shelter  Legal/Medical Advocacy  Individual/Group Therapy  DV Offender Programs  Anger Management – Adult/Teen  Lower Shore Family Visitation Center