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Responding to Domestic Violence: It's Complicated!

This session aims to discuss the complex issue of domestic violence and abuse, highlighting the challenges of recognition and exploring practical ways to improve our responses. Key areas include types of abuse, prevalence in Ireland, impact on women and men, and various perspectives on the issue.

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Responding to Domestic Violence: It's Complicated!

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  1. Responding to the problem of Domestic Violence and Abuse: ‘its complicated!’ Melissa Corbally

  2. Aim of session • Discuss the issue of domestic violence / abuse • Highlight how ‘its complicated’ • Discuss possible practical ways in which our responses to this problem could be improved

  3. What key areas are problematic where domestic violence and abuse is concerned?

  4. Key areas

  5. Key areas

  6. Recognition • Is a challenge because not everyone recognises domestic abuse

  7. What is Domestic Abuse ?

  8. Domestic Abuse is • “A pattern of physical, emotional or sexual behaviour between partners in an intimate relationship that causes, or risks causing, significant negative consequences for the person affected” (Watson and Parsons 2005 p38)

  9. Domestic Abuse is • “A pattern of physical, emotional or sexual behaviour between partners in an intimate relationship that causes, or risks causing, significant negative consequences for the person affected” (Watson and Parsons 2005 p38)

  10. Types of Domestic Abuse

  11. Types of abuse Physical Psychological (emotional) Sexual Controlling behaviour / stalking Men - Second wave abuse (Corbally 2011)

  12. Men - Second wave abuse (Corbally 2011) (sometimes initiated by but) not enacted by partner Related to the bias of the current system • False accusations • ‘Parentectomy’ Not being believed • by other men • professionals Actual threats/assaults

  13. http://deltawomen.blogspot.ie/2011/12/domestic-part-doesnt-matter-violence-is.html (Accessed Feb 10th 2014)

  14. Coercive control Can be a distinguishing factor in determining severity of abuse... Isolation from friends/family/others Limited access/control of money Surveillance/control over of everyday activities • Location (Geotagging) • Spending • Time out of controllers presence • Activities of daily living • Intercepting mail, email, phone calls and texts (Digitally assisted stalking)

  15. So what does an abused person look like?

  16. How common is domestic abuse in Ireland?

  17. Prevalence of Domestic Abuse (Ireland) (Watson and Parsons 2005) 15% of women (1 in 7) and 6% of men (1 in 16) have experienced severe abuse at some stage in their lives (lifetime prevalence) = 213,000 women and 88,000 men Risk of abuse is higher in: couples where one partner controls decisions about money those whose parents were abusive to each other young adults those with children where persons are partners are isolated from close family and neighbourhood supports those with a disability Impact for women Not recognising it Women's injuries tend to be more serious – and are nearly twice as likely as men to require medical treatment for their injuries and ten times more likely to require a stay in hospital. Emotional abuse ‘worst thing’ Impact for men Not recognising it (different formats 1st/2nd wave) / Not being believed Men were less likely than women to report (5 per cent compared to 29 per cent of women among those severely abused). Emotional abuse ‘worst thing’

  18. Key areas

  19. Responding to the problem of domestic abuse What can we do?

  20. What can we do? Understand that ‘its complicated’

  21. Why ‘it’s complicated’…

  22. Feminist perspectives

  23. Feminist perspectives Family violence perspectives

  24. Biological/psychological perspectives Feminist perspectives Masculinity perspectives Family violence perspectives

  25. Biological/psychological perspectives Relationship perspectives Relationship perspectives Feminist perspectives Masculinity perspectives Family violence perspectives

  26. Discourse perspectives Media perspectives Biological/psychological perspectives Relationship perspectives Relationship perspectives Feminist perspectives Masculinity perspectives Family violence perspectives

  27. Discourse perspectives Media perspectives Biological/psychological perspectives Power theory Relationship perspectives Relationship perspectives Feminist perspectives Masculinity perspectives Family violence perspectives

  28. Discourse perspectives Media perspectives Biological/psychological perspectives Power theory Relationship perspectives Relationship perspectives Socialisation theory Feminist perspectives Masculinity perspectives Family violence perspectives

  29. Discourse perspectives Media perspectives Power theory Biological/psychological perspectives Relationship perspectives Relationship perspectives Socialisation theory Feminist perspectives Masculinity perspectives Family violence perspectives Ecological theory (Krug et al 2002)

  30. Within a relationship perspective • One theory…

  31. What can we do? • Friends and family are by far the most commonly utilised sources of support for those experiencing domestic violence • 9 out of 10 persons leaving abusive relationships stay with family/friends (Watson and Parsons 2005) • Nurses and all healthcare workers working in the community because of the unique relationships they have with their clients places them in a key position for potential disclosure from persons experiencing violence • We can do a lot !

  32. Useful resources:

  33. What can we do… • Look for a private moment where you can express concern and let them know you’re there to support them. • Some ideas for beginning the conversation: • Express concern – but don’t push • If it’s a man – ask ‘how are things at home?’ or ‘how are things with the kids’ • If they disclose – believe them • Assure them that the violence is not their fault • Support, but don’t advise • Give information about resources – encourage self referral but don’t push • Understand that the person may not leave…. ‘Its complicated’ • Keep it confidential – unless….

  34. If you can… • Seek support or be supportive (believe that its happening!) • Start safety planning • Start creating evidence (very very carefully!) • Record incidents • Write diaries • Take pictures

  35. Advice for women on safety planning (Women’s aid) • Leaving an abusive relationship can be fraught with difficulty and may not be the best option – remember ‘its complicated’. Whilst in the house: • If things start to get bad – position yourself so you can exit the room quickly • Store knives carefully and out of sight • Keep a phone in a room that locks from the inside and memorise all emergency numbers • Carry a mobile phone (with GPS, Geotagging, find my phone etc. disabled) • Decide and plan where you will go if you do leave home (even if you don't think you'll need to). • Make up a code word to let the children, friends, family, or a neighbour that you're in trouble and need help. • If it is safe to do so, keep a handbag/overnight bag with important phone numbers and items in a place where you can grab it if you need to leave in a hurry.

  36. Advice on safety planning for men (amen.ie) • Believe that this can happen to any man – there is strength in seeking help from others • Do not leave the family home unless you or your children are in serious danger – remember ‘its complicated’ • Keep a record of dates and times of incidents in a safe place • Report the violence to your doctor and to the Gardaí - ensure that they record all the details of your injuries and the assault • Seek medical attention for any injuries - do not cover up the true cause • Take photographs of any injuries • Take legal advice and seek protection from the courts • Tell your family and friends what is happening to you • Do not be provoked into retaliating

  37. Key areas

  38. Available services: • New: Domestic violence Bill 2017 • Abuse using digital media • Parent of adult child • Child involvement in proceedings (remotely) • National office for domestic, sexual and gender based violence • http://www.cosc.ie/ • ‘What would you do’ website: http://whatwouldyoudo.ie/ • Police service • http://garda.ie • Support for men • http://www.amen.ie/ • Support for women • http://www.aoibhneas.org • http://www.womensaid.ie/ • Students (https://www.toointoyou.ie/ ) • Support for children you are concerned about • http://www.tusla.ie • Support for gay, lesbian,  bisexual and/or transgender people and their families http://www.rainbow-project.org/

  39. Conclusion • Domestic violence is common • ‘It’s complicated!’ • You can do a lot to help…keep • Recognising • Responding • Referring

  40. Thank you!

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