- 1. We commonly think of IPV/ or domestic violence as being solely physical, but that isn’t true! The definition of domestic violence actually includes any type of “physical, psychological, sexual, and/or financial violence that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behavior.” (Laing & Humphreys, 2014, pg. 4)
- 2. Although IPV/ or domestic violence has been around for quite a while, it wasn’t publicized until the 1970s by a group of feminists. (Murphy & Ouimet, 2008, pg 309)
- 3. We often associate IPV/ or domestic violence as a women’s issue, but it can happen to both women and men! (Murphy & Ouimet, 2008, pg 309)
- 4. Victims usually prefer to work with a social worker, rather than their own doctor, when divulging information about their abuse. Sadly, access to medical social workers is limited at best. (Murphy & Ouimet, 2008, pg 312)
- 5. It usually takes a victim 5-7 experiences of abuse, on average to leave a relationship. (J. Vassello, personal communication, February 9, 2016)
- 6. IPV usually follows a pattern, or cycle. It begins with the honeymoon phase, then the tension building phase, then the explosive phase, and lastly the reconciliation phase. (J. Vassello, personal communication, February 9, 2016)
- 7. Victims stay in their abusive relationships for many reasons. One of the main reasons is if they having children together. There could be many negative effects on the children if the parents separate. For example, the children may be taken away by CPS, and placed in foster care, or the children may be forced to live in a shelter and leave their friends. (J. Vassello, personal communication, February 9, 2016)
- 8. In a study done by Dr. O’Hare, it was found that over 25% of males convicted of domestic abuse or IPV related assault charges, were found to be psychopaths. This means that they were not remorseful about what they had done, and that they had a very high chance of committing a similar crime in the future. (O’Hare, 1993, pg 94)
Vassello, personal communication, February 9, 2016
Laing, L & Humphreys C. (2014) Introduction: Key concepts in social work and domestic violence. In Social work & domestic violence: Developing critical & reflective practice (pp 1-16). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.
Murphy, S., & Ouimet, L. (2008). Intimate Partner Violence: A Call for Social Work Action. Health & Social Work, 33(4), 309-314. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
O’Hare, R. (1993) Without Conscience: The disturbing world of the psychopaths among us. New York, NY: Simon & Schulster Inc.