1. Crime Victims: An Introduction to Victimology Sixth Edition
By Andrew Karmen
Chapter Nine:
Victims of Violence by Lovers and Family Members

2. Rediscovery of Wife Beating
Rediscovery during 1970s—”Silent Crisis”
Historical Perspective of Problem
Patriarchy—man’s right to discipline, home was his castle, hands-off policy
RULE of THUMB
Moderate Correction
Unnatural severity—Child abuse/fine or death—Wife abuse/up to judge

3. Rediscovery of Wife Beating
Learned Helplessness—“Battered Woman Syndrome”
Three Phase Cycle of Domestic Violence
Tension Building
The Battering
Tranquil Loving Aftermath

4. Incidence, Prevalence and Seriousness
Which victim-offender relationships should be included or excluded?
What is abuse?—injuries and attacking—definitions clearly shape findings
Is minor violence criminal violence?
Lack of public consensus = normative ambiguity

5. Maximalist Arguments Note
Women much more likely to be harmed by intimate than a stranger
Six million women “physically abused” each year
1.8 million serious assaults
½ of all incidents not reported to police
Domestic violence is #1 cause of injuries for women aged 15-44

6. Minimalist Arguments Note
Only 1 in 50 women in 20s experience nonfatal violent offenses in a year
NCVS shows trends for domestic violence decreasing
1.1 million offenses in 1993 and 600,000 in 2001

7. Battered Women and CJ System
Therapeutic Model—women not totally innocent. Shared responsibility. Long term approach is to strengthen bond.
Legalistic Model—in favor since 1980s
Separate Parties—Order of Protection
Rescue and protect injured
Punish and rehabilitate aggressor
Arresting may deter future acts

8. Battered Women and CJ System
Police Response—Minneapolis Study
50% of arrested offenders did not re-assault victim
26% of those forced to leave re-offended upon return
18% of those sent to counseling re-offended in follow up period
Law Enforcement determined best response was to arrest.
Domestic Violence Arrest Without Warrant

9. Battered Women and CJ System
Prosecutorial Response
Women often manipulated into dropping charges
“No drop approach”: need only corroborating evidence if victim does not testify
If accuser fails to show up at trial, case is typically dropped or acquitted

10. Battered Women and CJ System
Judicial response
In too many cases, clear spouse abuse cases can be lengthy trials
Judges order can—evict, bar contact, threats, harassment, stalking, and limit visitation
Civil remedies aimed at separation of two—not to punish
Law enforcement does not actively enforce civil orders

11. Preventing Battering
Current responses not dealing with “root of the problem”
Decision making in family flows with income and property. Men have power—women subordinate to them.
Men taught to be aggressive—Women taught to be passive and resignation.
Rule of Patriarchy—”Men Rule.”
Women must “love, honor, and obey.”

12. Domestic Violence Same-Sex Partners Battered Husbands
Partner violence about same as heterosexuals
Few resources to turn to for help
Battered Husbands
- Hesitant to report—disbelief to mockery
- No access to resources for help
Men’s ability to financially support themselves
usually results in them leaving the relationship

13. Victim Provocation and Murder
When is slaying of a wife beater justified?
Read Chapter examples, pages
Victim Blaming vs. Victim Defending

14. Victim Provocation and Murder
Victim Defending Arguments—siding with the dead man, noting his provocations not significant enough to justify his death—notes her overreaction—leads to offender blaming that she must be punished accordingly
Violence went too far, should have called police, left the home, divorce
Women cannot be judge, jury, and executioner
Man cannot defend himself in court—he’s dead

15. Victim Provocation and Murder
Victim Blaming Arguments
Dead husband responsible for demise—his insults, challenges and assaults incited her
Those who strike back were socially and economically isolate, more severely beaten, children abused
Deadly force justified as it is a self-defense measure
Weapon justified due to lack of strength
Women often killed by his strength and force

16. Victim Provocation and Murder
Victim blaming most convincing to police when:
Threatened or beaten repeatedly
Prior rescue by police
Testified in court
Sought marital counseling
Attempted escape
Filed for divorce
Visible injuries at arrest
Demonstrates crimes are socially defined. No act is inherently criminal—even homicide!

17. Rediscovery of Other Victims of Beatings
Young Women Battered During Courtship
Abuse of Parents by Adolescents
Elder Abuse
Battering Within Same-Sex Relationships

18. Preventing Battering Primary Prevention Programs
Attempts to change attitudes of large numbers of people—high school students
Secondary Prevention Programs
Intervention into lives of high risk couples
Teaching of negotiation and anger management techniques

19. Key Terms patriarchy Rule of Thumb speakouts Shelters
Intimate Partners
Domestic Tranquility
patriarchy
Unnatural severity
Moderate correction
Domestic chastisement
Rule of Thumb
Battered woman syndrome
speakouts
Normative ambiguity
Clinical fallacy
Shelters
Order of Protection
Restraining Order
Pro arrest directives
No drop prosecution policy
Elder abuse
Secondary prevention programs
Primary prevention programs