1. © 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
Crisis Intervention
William Harmening
Roosevelt University
Harmening, Crisis Intervention: The Criminal Justice Response to Chaos, Mayhem, and
Disaster
Chapter 7
THE CRISIS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

2. © 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
7.1
7.2
To explain the problem and prevalence of domestic violence in
America.
To summarize the historical police response to domestic violence.
7.3
To list the typologies and behavioral characteristics of domestic
abusers.
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
7.4 To explain battered spouse syndrome and list its symptoms.
7.5 To define the best practices for the police response to domestic
violence cases.

3. To explain the problem and
prevalence of domestic violence in
America.
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes
7.1

4. 7.1 Domestic Violence
The Scope of the Problem
• Of the almost 3.5 million violent crimes committed against
family members, 49 % were crimes against spouses.
• 84% of spouse abuse victims were female, and 86% of victims
of dating partner abuse were females.
• Males were 83% of spouse murderers, and 75% of dating
partner murderers.
• 50% of offenders in state prison for spousal abuse had killed
their victims. Wives were more likely to be killed by their
husbands than vice versa. Wives made up 81% of all persons
killed during acts of domestic violence.
• On average, 3 women are murdered by their spouses or
boyfriends every single day in America.
Bureau of Justice Statistics (2005)

5. 7.1 Domestic Violence
The Scope of the Problem
• Predominantly a male problem.
• Domestic violence knows no cultural or economic boundaries,
and is not limited to any particular age group.
• Domestic violence is not limited to just heterosexual couples.
One study found significantly higher rates of violence among
gay and lesbian couples.
• A 2003 study found that between 1 and 2 million Americans
ages 65 and older had been injured, exploited, or otherwise
mistreated by someone they depended on for protection, in
many cases a spouse.

6. 7.1 Domestic Violence
What is Domestic Abuse/ Violence?
• Can involve abuse/ violence between spouses, cohabitants,
parents and their children, and even between siblings.
- Physical abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Social isolation
- Deprivation
- Intimidation
- Economic coercion

7. To summarize the historical police
response to domestic violence.
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes
7.2

8. 7.2 Historical Response
The Police Response
• Prior to the 1980s, the police mostly viewed domestic violence,
especially between spouses, as a family problem that needed to
be dealt with privately.
• Many times an abused woman would even blamed by
responding officers for her own abuse. If she would just quit
“nagging” him, maybe he would stop.
• Abusers were only arrested in the most severe cases, and even
then punishment was typically limited to probation and a fine.
• The lack of response only enabled abusers to continue their
abusive patterns.

9. To list the typologies and behavioral
characteristics of domestic abusers.
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes
7.3

10. 7.3 Typologies and Characteristics
What is Domestic Abuse/ Violence?
• Can involve abuse/ violence between spouses, cohabitants,
parents and their children, and even between siblings.
- Physical abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Social isolation
- Deprivation
- Intimidation
- Economic coercion

11. 7.3 Typologies and Characteristics
The Cycle of Violence
The same behavioral characteristics in both the abused and the
abuser, as well as the same progression and escalation of
abuse, is found in almost all cases of ongoing domestic
violence. Most cases involve three stages before, during, and
after an abusive episode:
• The tension-building stage
• The violence stage
• The honeymoon stage

12. 7.3 Typologies and Characteristics

13. 7.3 Typologies and Characteristics
Abuser Typologies
• Type I (Family-only aggressors): Aggression is limited to conflict in the
home. Aggressive behavior is typically linked to alcohol or drug abuse.
They are characterized by poor communication skills. Outside the home
they appear quite normal.
• Type II (Generally violent aggressors): Violent outside the home as
well. Many are themselves victims of child abuse, and thus have
internalized aggression as a coping skill. Unable to experience
intimacy. Tend to display hostility toward women in general. Their anger
tends to be explosive, even toward responding police officers.
• TYPE III (Emotionally volatile aggressors): Live in fear of abandonment.
Extreme jealousy and feelings of inadequacy. Highest likelihood of
murder or suicide. Controlling and manipulative. Psychological abuse is
high among this group, as well as high levels of depression.

14. 7.3 Typologies and Characteristics
Abuser Typologies
One study (White and Gondolph, 2000) looked at spousal abuse in
terms of personality dysfunction. They concluded that abusers are
characterized by either narcissistic or avoidant personality disorders.
Narcissistic PersonalityAvoidant Personality
Severity of Personality Disorder
AssertiveDependent
AngerFearful
OppressiveParanoid

15. 7.3 Typologies and Characteristics
Abuser Typologies
The Narcissistic Abuser
• Self-centered
• Insensitive to the feelings of others
• Insecure
• Unable to handle their dominance being challenged
• May physically prevent a spouse from leaving
• Manipulative, will feign feelings of concern for spouse
• When manipulations fail, aggression may result
The Avoidant Abuser
• Extremely fragile and insecure
• Emotionally dependent on spouse
• Paranoid and fearful of rejection
• Distrustful of spouse. May spy, follow, or tap phones
• Highest likelihood of murder-suicide if spouse leaves

16. To explain battered spouse syndrome
and list its symptoms
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes
7.4

17. 7.4 Battered Spouse Syndrome
Definition
Lenore Walker (1984) surveyed abused women over a
3-year period. She adapted Seligman’s (1967) theory
of learned helplessness to explain why abused
women remain in abusive relationships.
Seligman administered electric shock to lab rats until
they were simply unable to escape the painful
situation even when the route of escape was readily
apparent to rats that were not being shocked.
Seligman argued that in these situations, perception is
distorted to the point that the correctness of a
possible action (route of escape) becomes
unpredictable.

18. 7.4 Battered Spouse Syndrome
Symptoms
• Feeling helpless to stop the abuse
• Accepting blame for the abuse
• Hyperarousal and high levels of anxiety
• Avoidance behaviors and social isolation

19. 7.4 Battered Spouse Syndrome
Victim-oriented Theories
Psychological Entrapment Theory (Brockner & Rubin, 1985)
Argues that women remain in an abusive situation because they simply have too
much invested to let go of it. They are motivated by an idealistic view of what a
relationship should look like, and tey live in the hope that the abuser will stop.
Traumatic Bonding Theory (Dutton & Painter, 1981)
Makes the connection between a spouse’s abuse and their earlier abuse at the
hands of a parent. They form an unhealthy and insecure attachment to the abusive
parent(s), and then carry that dysfunctional attachment pattern into adulthood and
adult relationships.
Multifactor Ecological Theory (Crowell & Burgess, 1996)
Suggests that women remain in abusive relationships for a number of reasons
working together, including finances, children, societal and cultural norms, and
reasons related to family history.

20. 7.4 Battered Spouse Syndrome
Effects on Children
Domestic violence is devastating for the children who are forced
to witness and experience it. It is estimated that over 15 million
children in America live in households where violence has
occurred in the last year (Whitefield et al., 2003). In 60-70% homes
where women are the victims of physical abuse, the children too
are physically abused, and the risk of sexual abuse is increased
dramatically (Osofsky, 1999).
SYMPTOMS:
• Academic problems
• Depression
• Feelings of not belonging
• Low self-esteem
• Low empathic awareness
• PTSD and suicidal behaviors

21. To define the best practices for the
police response to domestic violence
cases
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes
7.5

22. 7.5 The Police Response
The Minneapolis Project
1981 – Minneapolis Police Dept. tested the efficacy of arrest in cases of
domestic violence. They looked at the outcomes of three different
courses of action:
• The officer would attempt to mediate the problem on-scene by giving
both parties advice on possible corrective actions and coping strategies.
In this case, no arrest was made.
• The officer would require the abuser to leave the premises for an eight-
hour period in order to avoid arrest.
• The officer would arrest the abuser if probable cause for the arrest were
present.
Only misdemeanor cases were involved, and the course of action
selected was randomly assigned by someone other than the officer.

23. 7.5 The Police Response
The Minneapolis Project
Victim and Suspect
Demographics
A. Unemployment
Victims 61%
Suspects 60%
B. Relationship of Suspect to Victim
Divorced or separated husband 3%
Unmarried male lover 45%
Current husband 35%
Wife or girlfriend 2%
Son, brother, roommate, Other 15%
C. Prior Assaults and Police Involvement
Victims assaulted by suspect, last 6 months 80%
Police intervention in domestic dispute, last six months 60%
Couple in counseling program 27%
D. Prior Arrests of Male Suspects
Ever arrested for any offense 59%
Ever arrested for crime against person 31%
Ever arrested on domestic violence statute 5%
Ever arrested on an alcohol offense 29%
E. Mean Age
Victims 30 years
Suspects 32 years
F. Education
Victim Suspect <high school 43% 42%
high school only 33% 36%
high school 24% 22%
G. Race (Victim Suspect)
White 57% 45%
Black 23% 36%
Native-American 18% 16%
Other 2% 3%

24. 7.5 The Police Response
The Minneapolis Project
Of the 330 cases handled during the period of the study, researchers were
able to maintain contact with 205 of the victims.
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
Arrest Advise/ Police
Action
Send Suspect
Away
Percentage of Suspects Repeating Violence
10%
19%
24%

25. 7.5 The Police Response
Response Model
The Minnesota Models
Aggressive arrest policy, but not mandatory. If no arrest made,
officer must explain and document why. In most cases, arrest is
looked upon as best option by the police.
The Duluth Model
Collaborative initiative involving the police, Courts, prosecutor’s
office, mental health agencies, and domestic violence shelters.
Holistic victim-oriented approach. Coordinated response.
The North Carolina Model
Mandatory arrest for felonies, and misdemeanors if committed in
officer’s presence. If neither, then offender offered mandatory
counseling in lieu of arrest. Victim offered transport to a shelter and
assistance with an emergency order of protection.

26. © 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
The problem of domestic violence knows no economic or racial boundaries. It is predominantly
a male problem, with over 84% of victims being female. Studies have found that violence
among gay and lesbian couples is even higher, and violence involving elderly victims is on the
rise.
Historically the police have been less than aggressive in responding to domestic violence. It was
viewed as a family problem to be dealt with by the family without police involvement. Offenders
who were arrested seldom received more than probation and fines.
Domestic offenders are either Type I (Family-only aggressors), Type II (Generally violent
aggressors), or Type III (Emotionally-volatile aggressors). Narcissistic and Avoidant personality
disorders have been found to play a key role in domestic violence.
Battered Spouse Syndrome is commonly seen in victims of domestic abuse. It is a form of
learned helplessness in which the victim may even accept blame for their abuse. They engage
in avoidance behaviors and isolate themselves from friends and family.
CHAPTER SUMMARY
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
The police response to domestic violence has evolved from an ineffective response, to a strict
mandatory arrest policy, to where it is now; a holistic victim-oriented approach involving
multiple agencies working together to get the victim and her children the help they need, and
to deal with the offender in a way that will be the most effective in stopping their violence.
7.5

27. © 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. When deciding whether to arrest a domestic abuser, should
the police consider the financial impact the arrest may
have on the abuser’s family? Or is it always best to make
the arrest regardless, especially if it is a repeat offender?
2. What are the positive and negative aspects of mandatory
arrest policies.
3. Discuss some of the reasons why an adolescent exposed to
domestic violence in the home is at higher risk for juvenile
delinquency.