Intimate Partner Abuse Case Study
Every year, nearly 10 million men and women are abused by an intimate partner in the United States. Intimate partner violence or IPV is defined as any behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm to those in the relationship (Burgess, Regerhr, & Roberts, 2013). Acts of physical aggression include slapping, punching, kicking, beating, and biting. 20 individuals are victims of physical violence every minute in the United States. Psychological maltreatment is the hardest form of abuse to detect, however it can cause long-term detrimental consequences such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Displays of psychological maltreatment include, but are not limited to verbal attacks, isolating the victim,
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verbal threats of harm, humiliation, controlling the victim, and stalking. Sexual harm is characterized as any forced sexual intercourse. Research suggests that 1 in every 5 women will be raped in her lifetime.
In recent years the issue of Intimate Partner Violence has gained much attention from researchers and psychologists everywhere. Many attributed this type of violence to the need for individuals to have power and to be in control of those around them at all times. Intimate partner violence is often portrayed in movies and in TV shows. Many movies are exaggerated for entertainment purposes, however Enough directed by Michael Apted and staring Jennifer Lopez is a heart wrenching classic that truly embodies what intimate partner violence is and the effects that it has on the victim.
The main character Slim Hiller was a waitress trying to make ends meet when she met her prince charming Mitch who swept her off her feet. Mitch swooned his way into Slimes heart after he protected her from another man that was trying to take advantage of her, thus gaining her trust. Getting the victim to trust you is usually the first step that an abuser takes in order to establish control in the relationship. Abusers typically follow a pattern called the cycle of violence; Enough depicted every aspect of the cycle adequately. American psychologist Lenore Walker first introduced the cycle of violence theory in 1979. The cycle encompasses three distinct phases that can repeat many times throughout a relationship.
The first phase is called the tension-building phase. This phase is characterized by minor battering incidents and or emotional abuse over breaking the rules and expectations of the abusive partner. The abuser then attempts to rationalize his behavior by blaming it on stress reactions that can be related to work, finances, or many other things. During this time the victim feels as though they are walking on eggshells, not knowing what exactly will set their partner off. They become fearful of their safety and often seeks advice from loved ones. After the abuse occurs the victim alters her behavior in order to keep the peace within the household (Becho, Burge, Ferrer, Katerndahl, & Wood, 2016). In the movie Slim grew suspicious that her husband was cheating on her, in order to confirm her suspicions she went through Mitch’s cell phone. Mitch viewed this as an invasion of privacy especially since he is the man of the house. He then proceeded to belittle his wife claiming that since he is the primary breadwinner, he gets to make the rules. He called her worthless, pathetic, and told her that she was lucky to have him because no one else would ever want her. Such derogatory comments can have a lasting effect on a person’s self esteem. Slim never went through Mitch’s things again, nor did she ever bring up the cheating in an effort to make peace with her husband, thus changing her behavior to benefit him. A line from the movie that was particularly thought provoking occurred when Slim confided in her mother in law about the first abusive incident. Her mother in law stated, “What did you do, what did you say to him.” This very line is important to discuss because this is the perfect example of victim blaming. As a society we often blame victims for their assaults. “She was asking for it, her skirt was too short, strippers cannot be raped,” are all statements that we hear way too often, not to mention they are all completely false. It is imperative to never blame the victim, especially when it comes to instances such as IPV, sexual assault, or rape. If a victim feels at fault for their abuse, they are less likely to report and less likely to get out of that abusive relationship. Victims of abuse have already been through a traumatic experience exhibiting feelings of disgust, shame, and embarrassment; there is no need for an outsider to question their actions. Victim blaming is never, ever acceptable.
The second phase of the cycle of abuse is known as the acute battering or incident phase.
During this phase the inevitable result of escalating tension and anger brings out the most abusive violence. It is usually triggered by the presence of an external event or by the abuser’s emotional state (Becho, Burge, Ferrer, Katerndahl, & Wood, 2016). This means that the start of the battering episode is unpredictable and beyond the victim’s control. The acute battering incident is distinguished from other kinds incidents because of the intense discharge, major destructiveness, and extreme emotional release at its most negative (Newman, 2010). The victim often feels depressed and may present signs of anxiety because she knows that the battering is about to ensue and that there is nothing that she can do to stop the incident from escalating. After the battering has occurred the abuser minimizes the severity of the incident and sometimes blames the victim for what has just transpired. Throughout the incident phase it is not uncommon for the abuser to threaten his victim. In the movie, Mitch threatened Slim on multiple occasions. He told her that if she left him, he would kill her and that if she contacted the police he would plant drugs on her in order to get custody of their daughter. When children are exposed to intimate partner violence they are at risk of experiencing psychological trauma. Exposure to intimate partner violence is increasingly being recognized as a form of child …show more content…
maltreatment; it is prevalent, and is associated with significant mental health impairment and other important consequences (MacMillan & Wathen, 2013).
Reconciliation is the final phase of Walkers cycle of violence. In this phase, the abuser may repeatedly express what appear to be genuine feelings of remorse and may shower his partner with attention or gifts (Becho, Burge, Ferrer, Katerndahl, & Wood, 2016). The abuser may promise to never harm the victim again or may even promise to get help. The individual who experienced the violence may feel relieved that the battering is over and may be tempted to forgive the batterer. The victim may also believe that abuser’s apology is sincere and forgive him. In Enough, Mitch would beat Slim to a pulp and then when it was over he would be apologetic and make promises to get help. Slim always took Mitch back because she loved him and truly believed that he would change his abusive ways. She also did not want her daughter to grow up without a father consequently sacrificing her own well being for her daughter’s happiness. After the first abusive incident Slim’s best friend questioned her about why she did not go to the cops. Slim replied with, “I can not put my daughters father in jail and risk her hating me for the rest of her life”.
The cycle of violence can repeat multiple times however, everyone has a breaking point; this is where battered woman syndrome comes to play. Battered woman syndrome is defined as a mental disorder that develops in victims of domestic violence or IPV and is considered a sub category of posttraumatic stress disorder. “Psychologically, battered women are characterized by: (1) learned helplessness (i.e., the belief that their best efforts to be effective will produce random results), (2) a diminished perception of alternatives (to the violence, especially), (3) a heightened tolerance for ideas that do not logically belong together (e.g., I love him and I fear him), and (4) knowledge of the abuser’s potential for violence and the range of violent acts which they can tolerate” (Blackman, 2009, p. 226). The four stages of battered woman syndrome include denial, guilt, enlightenment and lastly, responsibility. The last stage responsibility is in fact the most dangerous. This is when the victim accepts the fact that the abuser will never stop being violent and decides to take matters into her own hands. It is not uncommon for victims suffering from battered woman syndrome to kill their partner, after being abused for so long they believe that the only way they will ever be freed from their abuser is to take away their life. The motive for this type of murder is in fact self-defense. Battered Woman Syndrome was developed in the mid-1970s in an effort to combat the sex-bias present in the criminal law, particularly in the law of self-defense. While battered woman syndrome has been used as a defensive tactic in the courtroom, many scholars believe that this defense is an excuse rather than an accepted medical condition.
Slim was manipulated and abused by her husband Mitch for most of her marriage. After Mitch pulled a gun out on her one night Slim knew that she had to run away with her daughter. Mitch went after her threatening that the only way he would let her leave him is if she were dead. Fearing for her life after years of being abused and out of options, Slim felt like the only way she could become free from her abuser was to kill him. The only critique that I have for this movie is that the time frame of victimization was very rushed. Slim is the perfect example of a battered woman and Enough is a movie that truly captures the depiction of violent victimization.
Intimate partner violence affects millions of individuals and it continues to be the most unreported crime in America today.
After much research, I discovered a non-profit organization called National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCAVD). Their public policy is to promote legislation and strategies that serve and protect victims and survivors of domestic violence, and to work to change the narrative surrounding domestic violence. Not only do they promote awareness, but they also provide training and resources about domestic violence for communities, advocates and victims. Additionally, NCAVD offers a direct service program where they provide the victim with housing, help with job searches, and assist with medical bills that resulted from the them being abused. NCAVD seeks macro-level change in order to create a society in which domestic violence is never tolerated or minimized, in which victims and survivors are respected, and in which service providers have the resources to serve all victims and survivors (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2016). Their mission is to educate both through awareness and training, and to provide support to IPV victims. I feel as though this program addresses the issue of Intimate partner violence very well because first the best form of prevention is spreading awareness, and two victims are more likely to leave their abuser if they have a support system. In the movie, Slim was financially dependent on her husband and had no
one in her corner to turn to in her corner to turn to when things got bad. NCAVD’s program could of helped her take her life back by finding her shelter, providing her with counseling services, and just being there for her. A huge goal of NCAVD and other programs is to stop IPV before it begins, therefore if young men and women are educated on both the warning signs and consequences of IPV as early as high school or college the idea is that they will be more aware and can recognize the warning signs before they become a victim. Prevention efforts should ultimately reduce the occurrence of IPV by promoting and educating individuals on how to have healthy, respectful, nonviolent relationships. Intimate Partner Violence is an on going issue that is seen in real life, depicted in movies, and portrayed in best selling novels, however people are still not recognizing how serious it really is. In an effort to eradicate intimate partner violence, we as Americans have a duty to spread awareness and truly acknowledge the fact that IPV is increasingly becoming problematic in the United States.
verbal threats of harm, humiliation, controlling the victim, and stalking. Sexual harm is characterized as any forced sexual intercourse. Research suggests that 1 in every 5 women will be raped in her lifetime.
In recent years the issue of Intimate Partner Violence has gained much attention from researchers and psychologists everywhere. Many attributed this type of violence to the need for individuals to have power and to be in control of those around them at all times. Intimate partner violence is often portrayed in movies and in TV shows. Many movies are exaggerated for entertainment purposes, however Enough directed by Michael Apted and staring Jennifer Lopez is a heart wrenching classic that truly embodies what intimate partner violence is and the effects that it has on the victim.
The main character Slim Hiller was a waitress trying to make ends meet when she met her prince charming Mitch who swept her off her feet. Mitch swooned his way into Slimes heart after he protected her from another man that was trying to take advantage of her, thus gaining her trust. Getting the victim to trust you is usually the first step that an abuser takes in order to establish control in the relationship. Abusers typically follow a pattern called the cycle of violence; Enough depicted every aspect of the cycle adequately. American psychologist Lenore Walker first introduced the cycle of violence theory in 1979. The cycle encompasses three distinct phases that can repeat many times throughout a relationship.
The first phase is called the tension-building phase. This phase is characterized by minor battering incidents and or emotional abuse over breaking the rules and expectations of the abusive partner. The abuser then attempts to rationalize his behavior by blaming it on stress reactions that can be related to work, finances, or many other things. During this time the victim feels as though they are walking on eggshells, not knowing what exactly will set their partner off. They become fearful of their safety and often seeks advice from loved ones. After the abuse occurs the victim alters her behavior in order to keep the peace within the household (Becho, Burge, Ferrer, Katerndahl, & Wood, 2016). In the movie Slim grew suspicious that her husband was cheating on her, in order to confirm her suspicions she went through Mitch’s cell phone. Mitch viewed this as an invasion of privacy especially since he is the man of the house. He then proceeded to belittle his wife claiming that since he is the primary breadwinner, he gets to make the rules. He called her worthless, pathetic, and told her that she was lucky to have him because no one else would ever want her. Such derogatory comments can have a lasting effect on a person’s self esteem. Slim never went through Mitch’s things again, nor did she ever bring up the cheating in an effort to make peace with her husband, thus changing her behavior to benefit him. A line from the movie that was particularly thought provoking occurred when Slim confided in her mother in law about the first abusive incident. Her mother in law stated, “What did you do, what did you say to him.” This very line is important to discuss because this is the perfect example of victim blaming. As a society we often blame victims for their assaults. “She was asking for it, her skirt was too short, strippers cannot be raped,” are all statements that we hear way too often, not to mention they are all completely false. It is imperative to never blame the victim, especially when it comes to instances such as IPV, sexual assault, or rape. If a victim feels at fault for their abuse, they are less likely to report and less likely to get out of that abusive relationship. Victims of abuse have already been through a traumatic experience exhibiting feelings of disgust, shame, and embarrassment; there is no need for an outsider to question their actions. Victim blaming is never, ever acceptable.
The second phase of the cycle of abuse is known as the acute battering or incident phase.
During this phase the inevitable result of escalating tension and anger brings out the most abusive violence. It is usually triggered by the presence of an external event or by the abuser’s emotional state (Becho, Burge, Ferrer, Katerndahl, & Wood, 2016). This means that the start of the battering episode is unpredictable and beyond the victim’s control. The acute battering incident is distinguished from other kinds incidents because of the intense discharge, major destructiveness, and extreme emotional release at its most negative (Newman, 2010). The victim often feels depressed and may present signs of anxiety because she knows that the battering is about to ensue and that there is nothing that she can do to stop the incident from escalating. After the battering has occurred the abuser minimizes the severity of the incident and sometimes blames the victim for what has just transpired. Throughout the incident phase it is not uncommon for the abuser to threaten his victim. In the movie, Mitch threatened Slim on multiple occasions. He told her that if she left him, he would kill her and that if she contacted the police he would plant drugs on her in order to get custody of their daughter. When children are exposed to intimate partner violence they are at risk of experiencing psychological trauma. Exposure to intimate partner violence is increasingly being recognized as a form of child …show more content…
maltreatment; it is prevalent, and is associated with significant mental health impairment and other important consequences (MacMillan & Wathen, 2013).
Reconciliation is the final phase of Walkers cycle of violence. In this phase, the abuser may repeatedly express what appear to be genuine feelings of remorse and may shower his partner with attention or gifts (Becho, Burge, Ferrer, Katerndahl, & Wood, 2016). The abuser may promise to never harm the victim again or may even promise to get help. The individual who experienced the violence may feel relieved that the battering is over and may be tempted to forgive the batterer. The victim may also believe that abuser’s apology is sincere and forgive him. In Enough, Mitch would beat Slim to a pulp and then when it was over he would be apologetic and make promises to get help. Slim always took Mitch back because she loved him and truly believed that he would change his abusive ways. She also did not want her daughter to grow up without a father consequently sacrificing her own well being for her daughter’s happiness. After the first abusive incident Slim’s best friend questioned her about why she did not go to the cops. Slim replied with, “I can not put my daughters father in jail and risk her hating me for the rest of her life”.
The cycle of violence can repeat multiple times however, everyone has a breaking point; this is where battered woman syndrome comes to play. Battered woman syndrome is defined as a mental disorder that develops in victims of domestic violence or IPV and is considered a sub category of posttraumatic stress disorder. “Psychologically, battered women are characterized by: (1) learned helplessness (i.e., the belief that their best efforts to be effective will produce random results), (2) a diminished perception of alternatives (to the violence, especially), (3) a heightened tolerance for ideas that do not logically belong together (e.g., I love him and I fear him), and (4) knowledge of the abuser’s potential for violence and the range of violent acts which they can tolerate” (Blackman, 2009, p. 226). The four stages of battered woman syndrome include denial, guilt, enlightenment and lastly, responsibility. The last stage responsibility is in fact the most dangerous. This is when the victim accepts the fact that the abuser will never stop being violent and decides to take matters into her own hands. It is not uncommon for victims suffering from battered woman syndrome to kill their partner, after being abused for so long they believe that the only way they will ever be freed from their abuser is to take away their life. The motive for this type of murder is in fact self-defense. Battered Woman Syndrome was developed in the mid-1970s in an effort to combat the sex-bias present in the criminal law, particularly in the law of self-defense. While battered woman syndrome has been used as a defensive tactic in the courtroom, many scholars believe that this defense is an excuse rather than an accepted medical condition.
Slim was manipulated and abused by her husband Mitch for most of her marriage. After Mitch pulled a gun out on her one night Slim knew that she had to run away with her daughter. Mitch went after her threatening that the only way he would let her leave him is if she were dead. Fearing for her life after years of being abused and out of options, Slim felt like the only way she could become free from her abuser was to kill him. The only critique that I have for this movie is that the time frame of victimization was very rushed. Slim is the perfect example of a battered woman and Enough is a movie that truly captures the depiction of violent victimization.
Intimate partner violence affects millions of individuals and it continues to be the most unreported crime in America today.
After much research, I discovered a non-profit organization called National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCAVD). Their public policy is to promote legislation and strategies that serve and protect victims and survivors of domestic violence, and to work to change the narrative surrounding domestic violence. Not only do they promote awareness, but they also provide training and resources about domestic violence for communities, advocates and victims. Additionally, NCAVD offers a direct service program where they provide the victim with housing, help with job searches, and assist with medical bills that resulted from the them being abused. NCAVD seeks macro-level change in order to create a society in which domestic violence is never tolerated or minimized, in which victims and survivors are respected, and in which service providers have the resources to serve all victims and survivors (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2016). Their mission is to educate both through awareness and training, and to provide support to IPV victims. I feel as though this program addresses the issue of Intimate partner violence very well because first the best form of prevention is spreading awareness, and two victims are more likely to leave their abuser if they have a support system. In the movie, Slim was financially dependent on her husband and had no
one in her corner to turn to in her corner to turn to when things got bad. NCAVD’s program could of helped her take her life back by finding her shelter, providing her with counseling services, and just being there for her. A huge goal of NCAVD and other programs is to stop IPV before it begins, therefore if young men and women are educated on both the warning signs and consequences of IPV as early as high school or college the idea is that they will be more aware and can recognize the warning signs before they become a victim. Prevention efforts should ultimately reduce the occurrence of IPV by promoting and educating individuals on how to have healthy, respectful, nonviolent relationships. Intimate Partner Violence is an on going issue that is seen in real life, depicted in movies, and portrayed in best selling novels, however people are still not recognizing how serious it really is. In an effort to eradicate intimate partner violence, we as Americans have a duty to spread awareness and truly acknowledge the fact that IPV is increasingly becoming problematic in the United States.