2016-2017 Biennium In-Service Domestic Violence Refresher

1. 2016-2017Biennium In-ServiceDomestic Violence Refresher NMDPS Accreditation Number: NM16113B

2. Domestic violence is an unpleasant problem affecting significant numbers of people in every country through out the world, and remains one of the most difficult and politically sensitive of social issues to manage.

3. Domestic violence is abusive behavior directed toward someone with whom an intimate relationship currently or formally existed.

4. Domestic Violence is a pattern of coercive behaviors that involves physical abuse or the threat of physical abuse. This can include repeated psychological abuse, sexual assault, progressive social isolation, deprivation, intimidation, or economic coercion.

5. State Statue Definition: 30-3-11 As used in the Crimes Against Household Members Act [30-3-10 NMSA 1978], “household member” means a spouse, former spouse or family member, including a relative, parent, present or former step-parent, present or former in-law, or a co-parent of a child or person with whom a person has had a continuing personal relationship. Cohabitation is not necessary to be deemed a household member for the purposes of the Crimes Against Household Members Act.

6. Domestic Violence Statistics • FBI reported Domestic Violence is the 2nd most committed crime in the United States (Petty Larceny is #1) • The National Health Survey of American Women reported, each year, 7% of all American women are physically abused by their spouse or partner.

7. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports, every year there are more women beaten by a spouse or intimate partner than are injured in auto accidents, rapes and muggings combined.

8. Domestic Violence is perpetrated by adults or adolescents against their intimate partners in current or former dating, married or cohabitating relationships of heterosexuals, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals or transgender individuals.

9. Battering is the major cause of injury to women aged 14-45, causing more injuries than auto accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. • One in ten cases of women abused by their male partner are reported. • 50% to 70% of men who abuse their female partners also physically abuse their children Reported by New Mexico Attorney General’s Office

10. On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country everyday. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Crime Data Brief, Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001, February 2003

11. Old Attitudes regarding Domestic Violence • It’s a private matter or “family” matter • Restore the peace and get back on the road • If there are marks on both parties, it’s a mutual problem and both are arrested • If there are no marks, I can’t do anything • If I didn’t see it, there is nothing I can do • Tell the guy to take a walk around the block and “cool off” • Separate the couple and suggest they get counseling

12. In the past, police have tried to mediate, separate, and make couples "just get through the night" when violence was present in the home. That approach to domestic violence only perpetuated the problem, as children in those violent homes became the next generation of victims and batterers. All too often the only end to this cycle was homicide and suicide. Such crisis intervention techniques ignored the criminal nature of these acts simply because the crimes occurred in the home.

13. In recent years, police departments have found arrest to be an effective early intervention strategy which dramatically reduces the domestic homicide rate and repeat calls for service. By working to stop the violence, make the victim safe, and hold the batterer accountable, police can break the cycle of violence.

14. Emerging/Current Attitudes regarding “Domestics” • Domestic Violence calls are taken seriously because it affects everyone in the community • More thorough investigations are conducted • Rights and information about services and legal remedies that may be available are explained to the victim

15. New Trends • Specialized law enforcement units • Increased and specialized training of law enforcement officers • Specialized victims services/advocates • Collaboration between law enforcement and victims services/advocates • Recognition of the impact on children; children as witnesses

16. Participation in coordinated community responses to domestic violence • Recognition of teen dating violence • Establishment of fatality review teams (adult and children victims) • More attention to safety planning for battered women and their children

17. CYCLE OF VIOLENCE

18. CYCLE OF VIOLENCE • IT IS A REOCCURING BEHAVIORAL PATTERN WHERE THE OFFENDER SWINGS BETWEEN AFFECTIONATE, REMORSEFUL CALM & PERIODS OR TENSE DEMANDS CULMINATING IN VIOLENCE.

19. CYCLE OF VIOLENCE • According to this widely accepted theory developed by Dr. Lenore Walker, there are three distinct cycles within the abusive relationship. There is the (1) tension building phase, the (2) acute battering incident, and the (3) honeymoon phase.

20. CYCLE OF VIOLENCE Phase One - Tension Building This phase is marked by an increase in tension where a victim will report "walking on eggshells" in order to try to avoid the battering. a) Tension building may last hours or months or even years. b) The soon-to-be aggressor is edgy, irritable, possessive, demanding. c) Minor outbursts may betray his mounting anger and aggression.

21. d) The victim may deny or withdraw from stressful periods, or be too nurturing or compliant in order to avoid further confrontations. e) This proves futile because the victim can not accommodate the aggressor's unrealistic demands. f) Psychological warfare

22. CYCLE OF VIOLENCE Phase II - Acute battering • In this phase, the acute battering incidents may vary from verbal and physical aggression to punching, stabbing, or even homicide. • a) The aggressor explodes having convinced himself that violence is justified. • b) Actions may range from shoving, slapping, or punching or escalate to sexual abuse, torture or murder. • c) Even without physical attack the victim may threatened with a knife or gun. • d) Pets and property may be destroyed. • e) Police are called during this phase. • f) Most dangerous cycle because violence is usually occurring. • g) The aggressor will be angry, the victim will be fearful. • h) The victim may consciously or subconsciously provoke the attack to get it over.

23. CYCLE OF VIOLENCE Phase III – Honeymoon • Phase three is marked by denying or minimizing the violence, promises and apologies, and the hope that the battering will never happen again. • a) This is the loving period when the aggressor expresses regret about the damages and injury, and may deny his responsibility. • b) He apologizes and attempts to comfort the victim and promises better treatment in the future. • c) The aggressor is apologetic and loving. This may be the only time that he/she is good to the victim. • d) The victim wants to believe that this will not happen again. • e) Police often arrive in this phase, and thus both victim and suspect are reluctant to talk with the officers. • f) In prolonged abusive relationship, phase III becomes a time when there is simply an absence of violence. • Over time the abuse dangerously escalates and the honeymoon phase shortens and sometimes disappears entirely. The time of the cycle varies from relationship to relationship.

24. DYNAMICS OF THE OFFENDER

25. Why Offenders Batter • Key Point: For the batterer the violence is about power and control. Looking at the victim’s behavior as an explanation for the violence takes the focus off the perpetrator's responsibility and unintentionally supports the abuser’s violent behavior. • The batterers behaviors are choices

26. Power and Control • Recurring violence is nota blind lashing out or random, uncontrolled outburst of anger. • Offenders carefully pick the time, place, target & means no matter how out of control they may seem.

27. Gain Power and Control • Physical Assaults During a violent episode, the offender will often feel an increased sense of power • Emotional/Verbal Abuse • Intimidation • Using Coercion and Threats • Stalking/Harassment • Economic abuse • Isolation • Using Children • Minimizing, Denying, blaming Offenders carefully pick the time, place, target & means no matter how out of control they many seem

28. It works/gets them what they want • Violence has short-lived benefits and is ultimately destructive • Learned behavior • 50% of the men who abuse women were either abused as a child or saw their mother abused • Learned through observation • Can be learned at an early age • Can be learned from peer groups, television, etc.

29. Battering is NOT caused by: • Illness (less than 5%) • Genetics (D.V. is learned) • Alcohol • Out of Control Behavior • Stress • Anger • Victim’s Behavior

30. Jealousy Controlling Behavior Unrealistic Expectations Isolation Blames Others for Problems Blames Others for Feelings Hypersensitivity Cruelty to Animals or Children Verbal Abuse Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde History of Battering Threats of Violence Breaking or Striking Objects Use of Force During an Argument Signs of Battering Personality

31. The Victims

32. The victims are usually female • The victim has learned from negative reinforcement • Uses the safety provided by the officers arrival to vent • May not wish for any action to be taken • May hinder the investigation

33. The victim often experiences fear of many things: • The perpetrator • The perpetrator’s family • Losing their job • Starting over • Being alone • Failing in the relationship

34. The victim often leaves the perpetrator many time before they can leave for good • The victim many times experiences Isolation: • Isolation from family • Isolation from friends • Isolation from employment • Physical as well as emotional isolation is often times experienced by the victim

35. Many victims try to leave only to be followed, pursued, terrorized & re-assaulted. • PHYSICAL HAZARDS- offender repeatedly threatens to kill the victim, the children or himself if she leaves.

36. Barriers to Women Leaving

37. Fear for Safety of self and Other • Fear for Children • Financial Dependence • Religious Beliefs • Isolation/Lack of Support • Shame • Low Self-esteem • Culture • Language

38. Extreme high housing start up costs • Difficulty in obtaining legal assistance • Difficulty in finding an adequately paying job • Problems related to the kids-moving the household and & avoiding absenteeism on the job.

39. Feelings of fear, loneliness & vulnerability • Pressure from family & friends to “give it one more try.” • Repeated pleas from the offender to come back & keep the family together • Cultural pressures to “reunite the family”

40. Pleas from the kids to “bring Daddy home”. • Memories of the “good times” • Continued harassment, possible assaults or violations of child custody arrangements by the offender.

41. The Children

42. Children are the forgotten victim • Children often learn that violence is an acceptable part of family/intimate life.

43. Often learn to use violence to express frustration and anger • May blame themselves for the problems • May be emotionally or physically neglected

44. Children may be injured: • Accidentally • Intentionally • While trying to intervene

45. Investigations

46. Once the scene has been made safe and everything has been calmed down, the victim and suspect can be interviewed.

47. Interviewing the Victim A common thread that must run through the interviewing of victims of any crime is concern and respect for the victim. The officer must always be professional and utilize common courtesy as well as overall objectiveness and open mindedness.

48. The way in which you engage the victim can serve to either open up the channels of communication, or completely shut them down.

49. Interviewing the Suspect Remember, batterers are manipulative in nature, and will do all they can to get you to collude with them and be on their side.

50. Interviewing Witnesses Interview anyone that might have heard or seen anything. Don’t forget about the children.