Dynamics of
Domestic Violence
What is Domestic Violence? (1)

Any abusive or coercive behavior or threat
used to control an intimate partner
• Includes multiple actions
• a pattern of manipulative and violent
tactics
What is Domestic Violence? (2)

Affects every
•
•
•
•
•
•

social/economic class
race or ethnic group
age
religious group
sexual orientation
geographic or educational group
The majority of domestic violence is
perpetrated by men against women.
Guiding Principle #1
The Safety of the Victim
is PRIORITY
Guiding Principle #2
Abusers must be
 held accountable
 assume responsibility
Guiding Principle #3
Reduce future abuse through:
 Arrest
 Prosecution
 Incarceration
 Education
Guiding Principle #4
A Consistent and
Coordinated Community Response.
Domestic Violence Facts (1)
Domestic Violence
is primarily a crime against women
Domestic Violence Facts (2)
A domestic violence act
occurs approximately
every 15 seconds in the U.S.
Domestic Violence Facts (3)
Intimate Partner Murders
Domestic Violence Facts (4)
Pregnancy and
Domestic Violence
Domestic Battery (1)
720 ILCS 5/12-3.2
A person commits Domestic Battery
if he or she intentionally or knowingly without legal
justification by any means:
 Causes bodily harm to any family or household
members as defined in Subsection (3) of section 112A-3
of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, as amended.
 Makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking
nature with any family or household members as defined
in Subsection (3) of Section 112-3 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure of 1963, as amended.
Domestic Battery is a Class A Misdemeanor
Domestic Battery (2)
720 ILCS 5/12-3.2
Domestic Battery is a Class 4 Felony
if the defendant has any prior conviction under
this Code for domestic battery, aggravated
battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, unlawful
restraint, or aggravated unlawful restraint when
committed against a family or household
member
Power and Control Model

Batterers gain and maintain power and
control - actual and assumed power.

Batterers use strategic, abusive tactics
to reinforce control.
Power
and
Control Wheel (1)
Power and Control Wheel (3)
Coercive Techniques
Emotional Abuse
Intimidation
Attempts to Isolate Victims
Threats
Use of Male Privilege
Economic Abuse
Manipulation
Victimization of Children
Sexual Violence
Physical Violence
Crimes in the Context
of Power & Control
Crimes as Tools for Batterers
Coercion
Intimidation
Control
Punishment
Revenge
Crimes in the Context
of Power and Control
Destruction of Victim’s Possessions
may be charged as Crimes
Vandalism/Criminal Mischief
Cruelty to Children
Cruelty to Animals
Cycle of Violence
Phase 2: Battering
Incident - Violent
incident happens.
Victim may
dissociate to get
through incident.
Almost always
happens in private.
Phase 1: Tension Building
Phase - Victim tries to keep
the peace and cover up
abuser’s behavior. Abusive
behavior begins to escalate
and tension builds.
Phase 3:
Honeymoon
Phase - Abuser
promises to
change and never
hurt victim again.
Abuser is loving
and kind.
Chart by Domestic Abuse Project, Minneapolis, MN and by Cheryl Howard
Mac and Lola
Lola

What is the impact on Lola when she is arrested or
sanctioned for her domestic violence?

What is the impact on
Mac?
Guiding Principles
Introduction, page 5
Alcohol, drugs and anger
are aggravating factors which contribute
to the abuse, but are not the cause of
domestic violence
These factors never excuse abuse
Battering

For the batterer, the violence is
about power and control

The victim has no control over the
batterer’s violence
Why Do
Batterers Batter? (1)
Why Batterers Batter?

It’s a choice

It works
 Learned behavior

Society says it’s
okay
Batterers
do not abuse because of…

Alcohol

Stress

Illness

Genetics
Why does law enforcement
get so many
alcohol-related
domestic violence calls?
Why Does She Stay? (1)
Why Does She Stay? (2)

Fear of what the batterer may do

Threats of homicide and/or suicide

Safety

Fear of the
unknown
Why Does She Stay? (3)

Finances

Isolation

Stalking
Why Does She Stay? (4)
 Uprooting
Children
 Custody
 Homelessness
 Children
father
need their
Why Does She Stay? (5)
 Religion
 Promises
 Lack
of
Transportation
Obstacles Faced by
Rural Victims (1)
Large Geographic Area
Isolation
from family and friends
Transportation
issues
Extended
response time by law
enforcement
Long
distance to reach victim services
Obstacles Faced by
Rural Victims (2)
 Rural
Beliefs
& Traditions
 Fear
How Do
Violent Relationships End?
 The batterer gets help for his/her problem.
 The victim leaves.
 Someone dies.
What Doesn’t Work? (1)
“Attacking” the Victim
What Doesn’t Work? (2)
Empowering the Abuser
What Doesn’t Work? (3)
Couples Counseling
*
What Works? (1)
Quality Arrest
& Prosecution Decisions
*
What Works? (2)
Offender Accountability
1. Arrest
2. Evidence-Based Prosecution
*
What Works? (3)
Offender Accountability
3. Partner Abuse
Intervention Program
(PAIP)
*
What Works? (4)
Victim Assistance
Training Exercise
Handling the Call:
Domestic Violence Vignettes
Scene 15
“My Crazy Wife Stabbed Me!”
Acknowledgements
Resources provided by:
- Mark Wynn, Wynn Consulting – www.markwynn.com
- Lydia Walker, Domestic Violence Trainer/Consultant,
LydiaWalker@cox-internet.com
- 4th Judicial Circuit FVCC Law Enforcement Committee
- OVW Rural Grant Committee, 4th Judicial Circuit
- Illinois Department of Public Health,
http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/dv.htm
- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,
http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf
- Law Enforcement Resource Center & Minnesota Program
Development, Inc., 2000
This project was supported by Grant #2011-WE-AX-0055, awarded
by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of
Justice, through the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority.
The original project was supported by Grant # 2008-WR-AX-0016,
awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S.
Department of Justice, through the Illinois Criminal Justice
Information Authority.
Points of view, opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations
contained within this document are those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S.
Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, Illinois
Violence Prevention Authority, or the Illinois Criminal Justice
Information Authority.