WCADVWCADVCore Advocacy TrainingCore Advocacy Training

Laurie JorgensenLaurie Jorgensen

April 19, 2011April 19, 2011

What are examples of abuse we see or hear about as we

provide services?

Domestic Violence

New field of study and services (30 yrs old)

Still primarily female victims of all ages Also women, men and transgender Opposite and same sex relationships People with disabilities and none

What do we know?

All income, education, resources Varied levels of trauma and injury Individualized circumstances and needs Victims seldom self-identify that what they

are experiencing is domestic abuse or violence

What does it look like? What does it look like?

Source: Domestic Abuse Intervention Project Duluth, MN

Who?Who?

Young and old…all agesYoung and old…all ages Opposite and same sexOpposite and same sex Women, men and transgenderWomen, men and transgender People with disabilities and with nonePeople with disabilities and with none All levels of income, jobs and All levels of income, jobs and

resourcesresources

Domestic Abuse is Domestic Abuse is NOTNOT……

Acts that come out of brain injuries or Acts that come out of brain injuries or dementiadementia

Situational violence without a pattern Situational violence without a pattern or dynamic of power and control or dynamic of power and control

Someone “losing control” (common Someone “losing control” (common excuse)excuse)

Trauma-Informed

One-time vs. culmulative trauma Seeking outside help is not first resort Victims are wary, distrustful Victims are vigilant and resourceful Victims prioritize survival

How does violence How does violence differ by gender?differ by gender?

Vast majority of general violence happens Vast majority of general violence happens to men by mento men by men 70% of violence crime against strangers = 70% of violence crime against strangers =

crimes against malescrimes against males 76% of victims of male homicide are men76% of victims of male homicide are men Men commit between 85 – 99% of reported Men commit between 85 – 99% of reported

rape, murder, assault, domestic and sexual rape, murder, assault, domestic and sexual violenceviolence Jhally, 2000 & Bonderman, 1995Jhally, 2000 & Bonderman, 1995

Women’s use of violence against men is Women’s use of violence against men is most often retaliatory or defensive.most often retaliatory or defensive.

How does violence How does violence differ by gender?differ by gender?

Violence against Women is mostly perpetrated by Violence against Women is mostly perpetrated by someone they knowsomeone they know 77% of crimes against relatives/partners = crimes 77% of crimes against relatives/partners = crimes

against femalesagainst females

Men’s violence against women is systematic and Men’s violence against women is systematic and supported by social normssupported by social norms Women as objects Women as objects Male roles - Boys will be boys; don’t be a sissy Male roles - Boys will be boys; don’t be a sissy Power over others is desiredPower over others is desired

How does domestic abuse differ by gender?

Women are injured more frequently and far more severely

When the relationship ends,

•Men-abuse ends

•Women-abuse escalates, stalking FEAR-emergency room research found

that men are not afraid of partner; women are terrified

The Abusive MentalityThe Abusive Mentality

ManipulativeManipulativeStrives to have a good public imageStrives to have a good public imageFeels justified, entitled, superiorFeels justified, entitled, superiorDenies and minimizes behaviorDenies and minimizes behavior Is possessiveIs possessiveDisrespects victimDisrespects victim

Adapted from Lundy Bancroft, Adapted from Lundy Bancroft, Why Does He Do That?Why Does He Do That?

Domestic Abuse is Domestic Abuse is NOTNOT……

Mutual abuseMutual abuse Violence without the power and Violence without the power and

control dynamic or patterncontrol dynamic or pattern A loss of controlA loss of control Committed by individuals with brain Committed by individuals with brain

injuries or dementiainjuries or dementia

We need to ask ourselves…

Is this woman coming through the door

my “client” or my sister?

How will that change how I see and work to help her?