Women Using Force in Intimate Relationships

Binah Taylor, MA, MA, MFTLiving without Violence Programme

Oasis Conference:‘Road to Recovery’

Brighton, 5th September 2013

Definitions

Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexualityDomestic violence is usually characterised by a pattern of coercive controlSelf-defence according to UK law allows individuals to use what is reasonable force and proportionate to imminent threat; there must also be no reasonable alternative

Stats to Think About

1 in 3 women abused during lifetime/1 in 5 men

90% children living in a violent home witness abuse

Up to 50% of children where there is DV are also directly abused

Up to 75% of children subject to a child protection plan experience DV

Up to 70% of police calls due to DV involve alcohol and/or drugs

2012 Crime Survey: 683K men experienced 1 or more incidents of partner abuse compared to 938K women

Costs in Brighton and Hove – around £3 million each year

Assessing Risk and Need

Is she aggressor or victim or both?Is her violence reactive/self-defence?Is it bi-directional? (who starts, who ends, who is injured?)Patterns of control? Levels of fear?Sexual dynamics of relationship(s)Use of alcohol/substances History of abuse – aggressor/victim?Childhood abuse?Cultural factors

Female Perpetrator Issues

Pattern of coercion/control not just angerLikely to minimise violence, blame othersMay also be victim in the relationship – careful screeningGenerally diff power/control issues – gender difference (eg diff use of physical force, financial)Past abuse, both physical and sexual to be considered – lingering impact, PTSDImpact of substances – often high correlation for women who use violenceImpact as primary carerMental health needs

Increased Risk

Escalation of violence – more frequent, police call outsIncreased use of alcohol and substances/misuse of medicationMental health needs increasedUse of weapons – not just knives/guns!SeparationHigh levels of jealousy – stalking/monitoring/tracking/texting/FBChild contact when separated

Impact on Partner

Physical injury

Fear for self and children

Feeling trapped

Mental health - depression, anxiety

Shame

Unlikely to report - not being believed

Minimise violence

Homelessness

At Risk Group

All at risk at any given timeVulnerable groups:

16-24 – women’s aggression on the rise?excluded groups (BMER,LGBT,disabled)poverty - unemployedlone parentsalcohol/substance misuseearly childhood DV exposure

Treatment Goals

Reduction of violence and abuse

Substance use managed

Mental health needs assessed

Safety planning/protective behaviours

May need MARAC referral - DASH

Increased parenting capacity

Empathy building

Assertiveness/self-esteem building

Healthy calming strategies

Group-work preferable or 1-1

How to Do the Work

Interventions (CBT, SF) to contain her use of force or violence having assessed the risks (levels of violence, with vulnerability)Even if violence is reactive/self-defence, not a safety strategyAccountability without shaming - respectMonitor child protection issues/positive motheringIntegrated treatment planning - consider the role/impact of alcohol and substance misuse, mental health needsCounselling relationship supportive but not collusive/modelling healthy boundaries (confidentiality with transparency)Co-ordination and sequencing with other agencies – talk to one another!Unresolved abuse issues generally need longer term work

Couple Work

Couple work contra-indicated unless violence has stopped

Alcohol/substance use contained

Risks of undertaking the work need to be carefully assessed

Individual support alongside violence

Impact on family/children

Safety planning and monitoring