Intimate Partner Abuse Flashcards
What are some forms of family violence?
Intimate partner abuse Physical abuse Emotional abuse Psychological abuse Sexual abuse Financial abuse Isolation Anger and Intimidation
What are some problems surrounding under-reporting of abuse in same-sex relationships? (Barriers to reporting)
Uninformed potential helpers may believe that violence is part of the “gay culture”.
Individual may view his or her abusive partner as being central to their sexual identity.
Bringing abuse in same sex relationships to light may expose the individual to discrimination based on their sexual orientation.
What are some reasons that women kill their partners?
After years of suffering physical violence.
After having exhausted all available sources of assistance.
When they feel trapped.
When they fear for their own (or their children’s) lives
What are some differences between men who killed their spouses and women who killed their spouses?
Men often hunt down/kill spouses who have left; women hardly ever do.
Men kill wives as part of planned murder-suicides; women almost never do.
Men kill in response to revelations of wifely infidelity; women almost never do even though their mates are more often adulterous.
Men kill wives after subjecting them to lengthy periods of coercive abuse and insults; women seldom do.
Men perpetrate familial massacres; women do not.
What occurs during the tension-building phase of the cycle of abuse?
Tension builds between the couple. Problems regarding jobs, finances, children, and other stressors increase the tension.
Over time, abuse and violence increase and escalate in frequency and severity.
The woman/man attempts to control the abuse through various coping techniques such as avoidance, placating, or “giving in”. (These measures do not work for long, if at all).
Once the tension reaches an unbearable level, the acute violent incident occurs.
What occurs during the acute abusive/violent incident stage of the cycle of abuse?
This is an uncontrollable discharge of built-up tension. The trigger for this is rarely the victim’s behaviour; rather it is usually an external stressor or the internal state of the abuser. The type of violence is usually much more serious and intense than what the victim has experienced through day to day interactions with the abuser and the victim may be severely injured.
What occurs during the honeymoon phase of the cycle of abuse?
Abuser typically exhibits loving, kind behaviour while apologizing and promising that it will never happen again. Tension has been dissipated by the abuse and both members of the couple are relieved. During this “honeymoon” phase, the couple becomes very close emotionally; the effect of the abuser’s generosity, helpfulness and genuine interest during this phase cannot be minimized. The victim is finally experiencing the relationship in a positive way and thus it becomes increasingly difficult for her/him to leave it. After the victim has been through the cycle a number of times, their self-esteem begins to wither. He/she understands that they are trading physical and psychological safety for brief periods of “peace and happiness”.
What are some reasons that women don’t report violent attacks?
Fear of further retaliation by attacker.
Dual charging - fear of being charged for defending self.
Peace bonds - fear of further retaliation through imperfect system monitoring restraining orders.
Lack of trust in judicial/policing system.
What are some effects of physical violence (intimate partner abuse) on children?
In their 2005 report on family violence in Canada, the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics found that children who are exposed to physical violence in their homes are:
- More than twice as likely to be physically aggressive as those who have not had such exposure.
- More likely to commit delinquent acts against property.
- More likely to display emotional disorders and hyperactivity.
What are some ways children display the effects of experiencing violence in the home (intimate partner abuse)?
They display developmental, physical, psychological and health concerns. They display aggressive and delinquent behaviour. They display guilt, low self-eseteem, poor school performance. They display a belief that being a victim of violence is inevitable.
What are some strategies that children use to resist the abuser’s oppression? (Two approaches)
Withstand the violence or oppose the violence
What are some strategies that children use to withstand the violence (a strategy against abuser’s oppression)?
Creating physical and mental escapes. Attempting to understand family dynamics. Building support networks. Creating order within familial chaos.
What are some strategies that children use to oppose the violence (a strategy against abuser’s oppression)?
Develop and execute safety/exit plans.
Intervene with the batterer.
Protect and comfort mother and siblings.
What is the nurse’s role in detecting/screening for intimate partner violence?
Nurses are a large group of service providers with:
- Central ethic of caring
- Agenda of early intervention and health promotion
- Important role to play in both hospital and community settings to assist women (and their children) who are victims of abuse/violence in a domestic situation.
What are some barriers to disclosing intimate partner abuse?
Fear for safety (their own and their children’s).
Denial or disbelief.
Emotional attachment/commitment/love for the partner.
Hopeful the behaviour will change.
Shame/embarassment/depression/stress/isolation.
Lack of faith in others’ ability to help.
Belief in the value of self-reliance and independence.
