The document provides information on risk and lethality dynamics between victims and abusers. It discusses abuser characteristics like blaming others, lack of boundaries, and viewing family as property. It also examines victim characteristics like low self-esteem and isolation. The document outlines lethality indicators like threats, forced sex, and weapons use. It emphasizes that risk assessment must consider the totality of risks faced by the individual victim. The document also discusses safety planning and protective orders as tools but notes that separation carries the highest risk and safety can never be guaranteed.

1. Learning Unit 3 Risk and Lethality: Victim and Abuser Dynamics A mini content lecture designed as a supplemental learning resource for CRJ 461 by Bonnie Black.

2. Who is the Abuser Appearances can be deceiving!

3. Stereotypes Exist What is a "wife beater" shirt? 3

4. Abusers Develop Strategies That: Hide emotional vulnerability and skill deficits. Create a conscious deception to protect image – pattern. Prevent real character and weaknesses from being exposed. Calculated 4

5. Abuser Characteristics Limited Tolerance for Change Dependent/ Insecure No Delayed Reinforcement Low Self-Esteem No Boundaries Dysfunctional Family Avoids Facts Better/Different Than Others Use Anger to Intimidate/Control Can’t Express Emotions Views Family as Ownership Avoids Responsibility “Entitled” 5

6. Defendant Statements Pick out the key words! Think about It! Is there minimization and attempts to avoid responsibility? 6

7. Defendant Statement - #1 “I became angry and so did she. We started arguing. I hit her with a tire iron, but didn’t mean to. I was just trying to scare her. I love my wife and believe she exaggerated her injuries.” Hit in back w/tire iron “I became angry and so did she. We started arguing. I hit her with a tire iron, but didn’t mean to. I was just trying to scare her. I love my wife and believe she exaggerated her injuries.” 7

8. Defendant Statement - #2 “It was one of those family arguments in which I was coming home from a basketball game and I was accused of being around other women. Arguing started which ended up to this.” Victim hit in head with ax handle “It was one of those family arguments in which I was coming home from a basketball game and I was accused of being around other women. Arguing started which ended up to this.” 8

9. Defendant Statement - #3 “My wife and I had stopped communicating so I set up a tape recorder to record her phone calls so I could find out what was bothering her. As I listened to the tape, I found out my wife was having an affair. I was angry and fearful at the same time I confronted her with the tape. I yelled at her and pushed her to the couch and floor a couple times. I waved my gun at her and noticed it was cocked. I did not want it to go off and I attempted to de-cock it. My hands were shaking so badly, they slipped and the gun accidentally discharged.” 9

10. Defendant Statement - #3 Choked wife/gun fired on floor “My wife and I had stopped communicating so I set up a tape recorder to record her phone calls so I could find out what was bothering her. As I listened to the tape, I found out my wife was having an affair. I was angry and fearful at the same time I confronted her with the tape. I yelled at her and pushed her to the couch and floor a couple times. I waved my gun at her and noticed it was cocked. I did not want it to go off and I attempted to de-cock it. My hands were shaking so badly, they slipped and the gun accidentally discharged.” Witnessed by 14 yr old daughter 10

11. Expect Abusers to Avoid Responsibility 1.Deny…………………….. Did not happen that way! 2. Minimize………………… Downplays significance of abuse! 3. Externalize...…………… Actions caused by others! 4. Rationalize...…………… Justifies behavior! NOT ME! 11

12. Patterns of Thinking and Behavior Blaming Shifts responsibility to others Immediate Gratification Now oriented Grandiose Presents image of self-importance Build Up Better than others Unique Different than others Lying Used to control information, confuse or gain the advantage Lack of Boundaries “I do what I want” You’re Mine Owner of others; like property 12

13. Abuser Types Theory 1: Low self-esteem/inadequate Theory 2: High self-esteem/egoism Theory 3: Pit Bulls vs. Cobras Theory 4: One size doesn’t fit all 13

14. Theory 1: D.V. Stems From: FEAR INSECURITY 14

15. Theory 2: DV Stems From: Inflated ego/invincible Better than others/grandiose sense of self 15

16. Theory 3: Pit Bulls vs. Cobras Pit Bulls Great Guys Charming to Others Emotionally Dependent Stalkers/Jealous No Criminal Record Cobras Sociopaths Antisocial Cold, No Emotional Bond - Needs Victim Aggressive towards Anyone when Challenged Has Criminal Record, Substance Abusers Studied 201 married couples, 63 were abusive. Is this a valid sample? 16 Source: http://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/17/science/battered-women-face-pit-bulls-and-cobras.html

17. Theory 4: Abusers are All Different One size doesn't fit all. Underlying issues may vary but common characteristics exist! 17

19. Oppression

20. ControlTactics Violence is a Choice-- Cause is Decision 18

21. Identifying Abusers: What To Look For Cites good intentions for abuse Can’t show empathy Often compliant with criminal justice system or creates an appearance of Socially isolated Traditionalist 19

22. Identifying Abusers: Continued Past battering Controlling in relationships Accepts behavior as normal/right Jealousy Blames victim Master at manipulation 20

23. What Victims Should Look For Reactive Hypersensitive Intensive Rapid escalation of emotion/ dramatic Depth Lack of emotional substance in relationships (no growth) Oppositional Manipulates conflicts and argument to maintain controlling position False Front Disparity in private and public self Historical No info about previous life Information Hard to gain access to other life activities and relationships Monopoly “All I need is you!” 21

24. Victim Characteristics Low Self-Esteem Self-Blame Isolation Lack of Trust Shame Embarrassment Denial Minimizations Believes Myths Depression Possible Substance Abuse 22

25. Every Victim is Different Recognize individuality of every situation. 23

26. Victim Safety is #1 Priority Extends to children, family members and community. Ongoing risk can result in homicide. 24

27. Safety: A Victim Perspective How does she define it? Does she feel safe at this time? When does she feel safe? Does her partner know she is talking to you? What does she think will be her partner’s next move? What can I do to improve your safety? 25

28. Through the Eyes of a Victim “I asked the victim if she was safe and she said yes. I removed the candlesticks by the front door so I am now safe.” (Boyfriend use to threaten her with them.) “I asked the victim if she was safe and she said yes. I asked where her husband was. ‘In the bedroom” she replied. Has he been drinking? ‘Yes, but only a six pack.’ Are there weapons in the house? ‘Yes, he has a gun in the bedroom.” Victim was directed to leave the house immediately. 26

29. Different Views of Risk Criminal Justice Professional’s View ofVictim Risk: Loss of life Physical abuse and injuries Victim’s View of Risk: Losing custody of children Loss of job due to court hearings, etc. Impact on children who may be removed from school Public and/or family shame Victim’s concerns extend well beyond traditional definitions of “safety.” 27

30. Lethality Indicators Can We Determine Who Will Kill?

31. What is Risk? Source: “Risk assessment approach for the prevention of recidivism…” by Anna CostanzaBaldryIntervict, PowerPoint. Likelihood “Probability” 29

32. Predictions History of violence is one of the best predictors of future violence! Homicide most difficult to predict because it’s rare! 30

33. Predictions of Risk are Based on: INTUITION KNOWLEDGE EXPERIENCE BIASES INSTRUMENTS Source: Assessing Dangerousness by Jacquelyn C. Campbell 31

34. Computerized Risk Assessment Instruments CAN: Be a tool to think through the elements of a case and compare it to other cases that resulted in serious injury or death. Be a good reminder to do a thorough investigation and analyze elements. CAN NOT: Predict the behavior of any given individual. Interpret the world of the battered victim’s problem solving; D.V. is about coercive control not just a problem of assaultive behavior. Source: Metro Nashville Police Department, Stalking, Safety and Assessment. 32

35. Because abuse is such a serious risk factor for homicide between intimates, cases should be routinely assessed for homicide risk. Knowledge of risk factors allows potential victims and officers to gauge the degree of danger and make decisions. 33

36. One Size Does Not Fit All D.V. assessment must be case-specific and based on an ongoing analysis of the totality of risks the victim faces. 34

37. Lethality Indicators Frequency/severity of violence Drug/alcohol abuse Threats to harm children Threats to kill Forced sex Suicide threats/ attempts Weapons Pet abuse Psychiatric impairment Proximity Level of obsession/stalking Perceived ownership Separation Indifference to public consequences Service of court papers Adapted from Lenore Walker, 1996 35

38. Don’t Discount Threats Does victim believe it? Made private or public? Detailed and specific? Have the means? Has there been “rehearsals” of act? Does it extend to others? Involve murder, suicide or both? 8-8-10 Source: Metro Nashville Police Dept; Stalking, Safety, Assessment 36

39. Presence of Lethality Indicators Increases Risk of Victim Killing Abuser Frequency of violent incidents Severity of injuries Abuser’s threat to kill Victim’s threats of suicide Abuser’s frequency of intoxication Abuser’s drug abuse Forced sexual acts 37

40. Victim Safety Options Information on D.V. Resources/Services Available Explain role of D.V. Shelter Identify a Support Person – Not Alone Protective Orders Safety Planning *Priority of criminal justice response should be victim safety! 38

41. Do Orders of Protection Work? Think About it! 39

42. Protective Orders: A Tool for Safety? An Important Option For Victims: Allows for police intervention Interfering with Judicial Proceedings is a D.V. crime Majority follow court order Creates a paper trail of abusive history Legal finding by judge 40

43. Cautions with O.P. Only a piece of paper. Nothing ensures safety. Homicide risk increases following service of court papers. Separation most dangerous time. Must be taught how to use it: When to call police Keep copy Full Faith and Credit Valid in ALL states Modifications by judge only Think About it! Does invitation by victim invalidate the protective order? 41

44. Answer to Think About it! NO Protective orders are against the defendant only; not the plaintiff. An invitation by victim may influence arrest and charging decisions. 42

45. Safety Plans Thinking about what you would do in a crisis. Low risk rooms vs. dangerous rooms Create signals/code words Escape plan -- rehearsed Safety planning with children Plan is individualized and varies if staying, having contact or in hiding. Extend beyond home. SAFETY 43

46. Risks of Separation Leads to high risk situations: Stalking Service of court papers Victim independence Secret is revealed/exposing abuser Suicidal tendencies Abusers feels loss of control/need to exert control: Revenge Teach lesson Boundaries broken-”nothing more to lose” 44

47. Push by the C. J. System to Protect Victims Increased state and Federal legislation with stronger laws and harsher punishments. Example: Violence Against Women Act More funding to support victim assistance programs and crisis intervention teams. Full Faith and Credit Protective orders valid in ALL States should victim need to flee. What else? 45

48. Conclusions Abusers are manipulative and calculating; presenting a different public and private image. Separation is the most dangerous time for a victim. Risk assessment within the criminal justice process is important and must be ongoing. Defining victim’s perspective on safety is important. The criminal justice system has a moral responsibility to provide victims with resources and options that will promote safety. Victim safety can NEVER be guaranteed! 46