|
Louisiana Protective
Order Registry (LPOR) |
| Domestic
Violence Frequently Asked Questions |
Domestic
violence is a serious and widespread problem in Louisiana,
as it is elsewhere across the nation. According to figures
provided by the Governor's Office of Women's Services, domestic
violence shelters and non-residential programs in this state
served 19,219 women and their 13,318 children during one recent
twelve-month period.
1. Why all the talk about women as victims of male
violence. Don't women use violence against men, too?
The reality is that domestic violence is an unequal crime
and women are the primary victims. The FBI estimates that
85% of partner violence victims are female. Other data collected
by the National Crime Victimization Survey indicates that
no matter what the rate of violence by gender, or who initiates
it, women are 7 to 10 times more likely than men to be injured.
2. We know about the physical violence, but what else
is a part of domestic violence?
Domestic violence is rarely an isolated incident, but rather
is a pattern of coercive behavior using tactics such as emotional
and verbal abuse, threats and intimidation, isolation, and
economic control to gain power and control over the victim.
In light of these other tactics that produce fear, the use
of violence need not occur often in order to make the victim
comply with her abuser's demands.
3. What happens if the abuse continues?
If nothing occurs to interrupt the pattern of abuse and violence,
it is likely to occur more often and the level of injuries
sustained during an incident will escalate over time. As the
abuse becomes more severe, the victim feels increasingly trapped
in the relationship. Yet, it is also during this same period
that she increases her attempts to reach out for help.
4. Can we tell who is likely to use lethal violence
against their partner?
Lethality assessment in domestic violence cases is the examination
of the abuser's behavior and other indicators that may signal
an increased likelihood of lethal violence. The following
should be taken into account when assessing an abuser's level
of violence and risk of becoming lethal to his partner. Threats
of suicide or homicide; access to weapons; a recent or impending
separation; obsession with his partner; access to his partner;
a history of law enforcement involvement; and hostage-taking.
5. Who are the victims?
The stereotype of a battered woman is someone who is poor,
a racial or ethnic minority, uneducated or undereducated,
docile, meek and submissive. She is portrayed as frightened
and therefore likely to exaggerate or overstate the problems
she is experiencing with her partner. The reality is that
it cuts across all demographic, racial and ethnic lines. Battered
woman come from every class, race, or educational background.
While she may be docile or submissive, she is as likely to
be angry about abuse and resentful toward her partner for
subjecting her to it. She may not display her fear to others
and may minimize the problem when confronted by friends of
family.
6. Why don't battered women just leave and stay away?
Battered women stay for a variety of reasons: lack of resources;
a belief system that discourages or prohibits her from leaving;
no place to go if she leaves; hope that he will change his
behavior; and/or fear that he will carry out the threats to
seriously harm or kill her. It is a mistake for others to
believe that leaving an abusive relationship will end the
violence. Violence often escalates at the time of separation
and can incorporate new behaviors, such as stalking, that
are designed to force the victim back into the relationship.
Attempting to or leaving an abusive partner substantially
increases the risk of lethal violence.
7. Who are these abusers?
Just as there are erroneous stereotypes about the victim,
the abuser is sometimes not who you think he is. He is frequently
portrayed as poor, a racial or ethnic minority, and either
uneducated or under-educated. Many assume that because he
is violent toward his partner, he must be aggressive and/or
violent in his public behavior. On the contrary, abusers are
found in every social class and employment status, every race
and ethnic background. While they can behave like bullies,
they are as likely to be civil to others and perhaps even
charming.
8. What causes someone to abuse and control their partner?
Domestic violence is rarely caused by stress, anger out-of-control,
mental or emotional illness, dysfunction within the relationship,
poor communication skills, provocation on the part of the
victim, or substance and alcohol abuse. However, there is
a correlation between substance use or abuse prior to or during
the incident, and an increased risk of serious injury or death.
While each of the factors named are frequently used as excuses
for and can exacerbate the violence, they do not cause domestic
violence.
9. What happens to children in homes where one parent is abusing
the other?
It is estimated that 85% of children who live in violent homes
are eyewitnesses, attempt to intervene, and/or experience
the violence themselves. Children in these homes are at greater
risk due to deliberate or inadvertent injury. In addition,
these children experience a host of emotional and psychological
problems as a result of the violence between parents.
10. What works to end domestic violence?
When different agencies work together to improve their community's
response to domestic violence, it is referred to as a coordinated
community response. In some areas of the country, such efforts
have brought about a significant reduction in the number of
serious domestic violence injuries and deaths. At the core
of a coordinated response is the shared belief that domestic
violence is a crime and should be taken seriously, that the
victim should be protected from further harm, and that creating
meaningful consequences for abusers is the best way to hold
them accountable.
The Louisiana Protective Order Registry is
a project of the Office of the Judicial Administrator, Supreme
Court of Louisiana
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