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Dynamics of Domestic Violence
Who is affected by domestic abuse?
Women are most frequently the victims of Domestic Violence and historically, violence against women has not been treated as a "serious crime".  However, violent behavior towards any person is a crime and will be treated as such, regardless of whether the relationship is domestic or non-domestic.
Power and Control
Domestic Violence is a learned behavior.  Often an abuser learns during childhood that violence can be used to gain power and control.  An abuser may feel entitled to control and the fear of loosing it may prompt them to more excessive attempts to physically and emotionally dominate their partner.  Violence normally escalates over time.
Cycle of Violence
Tension Building:	The abuser begins building towards a violent outburst.  Demands and intimidation increase in frequency and efforts to calm and reason with the abuser fail.
Acute Explosion:	The abuser uses physical force, verbal abuse or even sexual abuse to hurt and/or intimidate.  Abusers can be creative and determined to maintain control.  Threats range from physical threats to child custody issues and are usually accompanied by an assault on the victims self esteem (i.e. you can't pay the bills, your worthless / helpless).  Abusers cultivate fear in their victims.
Honeymoon:	The abuser begs forgiveness or promises to never do it again. Normally this will include concessions to the victims such as going to church, attending support groups or showering the victims with declarations of love.  The abuser will claim he or she was out of control, for any number of reasons.  The victim wants to believe that the person will change.
After the Honeymoon stage, the process starts over.   Violence Wheel This chart uses the wheel as a symbol to show the relationship of physical abuse to other forms of abuse. Each spoke represents a tactic used to gain control or power, which is the hub of the wheel. The rim which surrounds and supports the spokes is physical abuse. It hold the system together and gives the abuser his/her strength
Warning Signs
The abuser becomes more hostile, more often.  Incidents of intimidation increase as well as demands.  The victim's self esteem is driven down in preparation for the assault (physical or otherwise).  The victim will think that it is about anger, when it is really about control.  This gives the abuser an immediate advantage because the victim is trying to appease him/ her.
Types of Abuse
Physical Psychological pushing punching spitting slapping kicking throwing objects strangling using weapons homicide/suicide name calling belittling threatening criticizing ignoring yelling isolation humiliation jealousy Financial Sexual controlling money causing victim to loose job harassing victim at work questioning every expense keeping financial secrets   unwanted touching sexual name calling unfaithfulness false accusations of infidelity forced sex hurtful sex
Effects of Violence
After the first incident of violence a victim will often react with disbelief, shame and embarrassment and will believe it is an isolated incident. The victim will try to keep it a secret, hoping that it will not happen again. As the incidents become more frequent and severe the victim will loose his/ her sense of control and will begin to fear for her safety as well as the safety of those he/ she cares about. The victim may or may not seek help.  After years of domestic violence the victim will feel powerless, worthless, shame and is less likely to be able to break the cycle.
Risk Assessment
Ten risk factors that help determine if the abuser will kill the victim: Threats by the abuser to kill the victim, children or self Fantasies of homicide or suicide Accessibility to weapons A high familiarity or use of guns Fundamental belief by the abuser that the victim is owned by the abuser Separation (greatly increases risk) Abuser is obsessive of victim / family; can't live without them Mental disorders, especially depression disorders; a sense of no hope without homicide and/or suicide Repeated calls to the police and an increase in violence Takes the victim and/ or family hostage