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Domestic Violence

Domestic violence (DV) occurs when one member of a couple uses physical means to dominate or abuse the other, typically while at home. The term is synonymous with domestic abuse, battering, intimate partner violence, and spouse abuse.

As the name implies, DV is an extremely serious condition requiring immediate and effective intervention. The victims of DV, mostly women, are at significant risk of physical harm or death, not only while living with a violent partner but also when trying to end the relationship entirely, where research indicates they are at greatest risk of being stalked by the perpetrator and then physically harmed.

A number of specialists in the treatment of DV believe that court and police involvement is paramount, to threaten and ensure that immediate and stiff jail sentences ensue for any further incidence of violence whatsoever. It is only under such conditions of deterrence that therapy for at least some cases of DV can proceed.

Victims who leave their batterers frequently return. The first goal of therapy is to discontinue all further incidents of violence, whether the relationship survives or not. Shelters for battered women, legal assistance, and similar forms of support are often very helpful in this regard.

Domestic violence occurs across cultures, races, ages, classes, and sexes, although women in the United States are about 6 times more likely than men to be victims. The term includes sexual abuse - including rape – as well as murder and various forms of physical assault. DV is related to alcohol abuse, depression, marital conflict, abusive communication patterns, borderline personality disorder, suicidal behavior, and many other social and psychological influences.

The Cycle of Violence

Lenore Walker, in her seminal book, Battered Women, presented the model of the Cycle of Violence, which consists of three phases:

I. The Honeymoon Phase

During this stage the batterer feels a great deal of remorse and sadness and is unusually apologetic and affectionate toward the victim.

II. The Tension-Building Phase

During this stage the victim attempts to calm the batterer down in order to avoid any major confrontations. Typically there is poor communication between the partners, a sense that violence is eminent, and a great deal of tension in the relationship.

III. Acting-out Phase

During this stage the dam of tension finally breaks, and the batterer resorts to violence in order to dominate, control and subjugate the victim.

Therapists who specialize in treating DV intervene heavily in Stages I and II in order to prevent a recurrence of Stage III.