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Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

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Page 1: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

Domestic Violence – theories and implications

Wendy Morgan

London Metropolitan University

Glasgow Caledonian University

Page 2: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

Overview

Reflections of the past in the present Motives, agendas politics

Current theories of IPV/DV

Mandatory arrest

An alternative lens?

Page 3: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

DV and History

“Domestic violence has deep historical roots and [is] grounded in the inequality between men and women in society at large” (Hague and Malous 1998 pg 69)

Page 4: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

DV and History

The 1970’s were not, however the first time that wife beating had been discovered by the public and taken up as an issue of general concern rather than remaining hidden as a personal tragedy….This has happened at least twice before in the latter part of the 19th century and in the early part of the [20th] century. (Dobash and Dobash 1979, pg 3)

Page 5: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

DV and History

History is relevant (and also relatively current, e.g. societal (including police) response in 70’s and 80’s)

Key themes DV is a gender based concern Patriarchal social norms support the use of

violence It requires a coordinated community response

(Ehrenshaft 2008)

Page 6: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

The response – intervention policy and strategy “Duluth Model”

Men need to be re-socialised to ensure they accept responsibility

Psycho-educational batter programmes are part of a wider response

Show that society will not tolerate this behaviour Coordinated community response needed

Need to raise awareness – Zero tolerance interventions

– Mandatory arrest policies

Page 7: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University
Page 8: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

The controversies

“Duluth” model is ideology and not science Does not consider all forms of violence

Intersection of IPV with other forms of violence overlooked

Does not consider individual factors Developmental, attachment, personality, Does not address issue of heterogeneity

Gender neutral data is discounted Dutton and Corvo, 2006, Ehrenshaft 2008

Page 9: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

The Gender Issue

Much disputed

Affected by Ideology Sampling Definitions Social constructions

Page 10: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

The Gender Issue

“including mutual aggression and female perpetrators under the umbrella of IPV implies that (a) this is a non-gendered phenomenon that affects the health and well-being of men/boys and women/girls similarly at the population level and (b) the etiology and nature of the behaviour are similar regardless of the perpetrator gender. Neither research nor practical external evidence supports such assumptions” Reed et al 2010, pg 349

Page 11: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

The Gender Issue

“Studies continue to be sponsored and produced in the United States that involve analysis and interpretations of IPV data that defy international consensus and substantial empirical data” (emphasis added) Reed et al 2010, pg 349

Page 12: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

The Gender Issue

“…Female violence to the extent to which it is acknowledged at all is deemed to be always self-defensive. These views persist despite survey data showing approximately equal levels of severe violence and injury by gender” (Dutton and Corvo 2006, pg 459)

Page 13: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

The Gender Issue

“[Psycho-educational models] eschew psychological treatment even of empirically established factors supporting habits of intimate abusiveness…..A one size fits all approach based on a contraindicated political model of male domination prevails” Dutton and Corvo 2006 pp 257, 259

Page 14: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

Johnson Typology

Coercive control Duluth model type abuse (not nesc violent) Underlying core schema

Situational Violence Toxic relationships Poor conflict resolution skills

Violent resistance As as result of coercive control

Mutual Control

Page 15: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

Intimate partner offender typologies

Severity-frequency

of violence

Family only (FO)

Generally Violent Antisocial (GVA)

Dysphoric/Borderline (DB)

Low level Antisocial (LLA)

Psychopathology

Page 16: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

Mandatory arrest and DV

“Stemming from the ideological assumption that domestic violence is entirely a political act, mandatory arrest has be perused as a necessary exercise of countervailing power, particularly necessary to overcome the putative patriarchal inclination that may influence police discretion” (Dutton and Corvo

Page 17: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

Mandatory Arrest

The issues Notion of driver of social change Reaction to civil claims for failure to protect Re-balances power for victim Conflicts with victims desires

Wants abuse to stop/attacker removed NOT Jail Financial hardship Shame of court proceedings

Does it “work”

Page 18: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

Mandatory Arrest

Works through “deterrence theory” Specific and general

Conflicting evidence (Williams 2005)

Those who are more “marginal” can show evidence of escalation of behaviour

“Deterrence may be achieved only when potential perpetrators see arrest as having damaging consequences for their relationships with others” (Williams 2005)

Individuals tend to respond differently Blanket policy may not help (Burton 2000)

Page 19: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

An alternative lens?

Focus not on prevention of offence but on prevention of harm Helping individual victims stay safe

Policy of mandatory arrest conflicts with “help” seeking behaviour

May result in increased risk of lethality (dependant upon measurement variable)

Page 20: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

Concluding Remarks

History and DV are intrinsically linked in the current theory literature Notion of Gender based nature of violence Willingness to incorporate other

explanations Viewing DV as distinct from other forms of

violence Application of mandatory arrest

Page 21: Domestic Violence – theories and implications Wendy Morgan London Metropolitan University Glasgow Caledonian University

Further information

[email protected] [email protected]

Violence against Women Prevention Scotland http://www.vawpreventionscotland.org.uk/

Zero Tolerance trust http://www.zerotolerance.org.uk/index.php