Domestic Violence

Question 1

what is domestic violence?

Answer 1

is the physical, sexual, emotional or psychological or financial abuse committed by a respondent against a person who is in a domestic relationship with the respoondent.

Question 2

what is physical abuse?

Answer 2

an act or omission which causes physical injury and includes the comission of or an attempt to commit any of the offences listed in the first schedule.

Question 3

what is emotional or psychological abuse?

Answer 3

A pattern of behaviour of any kind, the purpose of which is to undermine the emotional or mental well-being of a person.

Question 4

what is sexual abuse?

Answer 4

includes sexual contact of any kind that us coerced by force and the comission of, or an attempt to commit, any of the offences listed under the sexual offences act in the first schedule.

Question 5

what is financial abuse?

Answer 5

a pattern of behaviour of any kind, the purpose of which is to exercise coercive control over, or exploit or limit a person’s access to financial resources so as to ensure financial dependence.

Question 6

what is resource Theory?

Answer 6

women who are most dependent on their spouses for economic well-being and are the primary caregiver to their children, fear the increased financial burden if they leave their marriages

Question 7

what are the phases of the cycle of abuse?

Answer 7

1. honeymoon phase - a short-lived period of happiness in the relationship
2. tension phase - this is a very stressful time in the home. the family members walk on eggshells in fear of angering the abuser.
3. eruption phase - this is where the abuser explodes and reverts to abusive language, unwanted physical contact or even throwing objects.

Question 8

what are the characteristics of an abusive personality?

Answer 8

1. jealousy
2. controlling behaviour
3. quick involvement
4. unrealistic expectations
5. isolation
6. blaming others for problems.
7. Hypersensitivity
8. Cruelty
9. Force in Sex
   10 Verbal Abuse

Question 9

what are the reasons for victims not leaving abusive relationships?

Answer 9

1. fear for their life or the life of other family members.
2. lack of finances
3. no safe place to turn
4. the victim may lack proper skills to support themselves and thier offsprinng
5. the victim may genuinely love their spouse
6. religious beliefs - some religions forbid their followers from separating or divorcing ot
7. the victim may stay for the sake of the children.
8. they may wrongly belief that they deserve the punishment meted out to them.

Question 10

what are the options available to the court in a domestic violence case?

Answer 10

1.issuance of protection order
2. issuance of interim protection order
3. the option of a signed undertaking