Family Violence
1. Discuss how victims might be affected by family violence
Victims may experience some of the following:
• Physical injuries
• Feelings of guilt about violence, the children, etc.
• Feelings of low self esteem, feeling like violence is justified
• May be isolated and not trust anyone
• May be dependent on abuser both economically and emotionally
• May feel powerless to do anything to change the situation
• May blame herself for the violence
• May be in denial that it is really that bad
• May have a passive personality or may be aggressive
• Feeling stressed
• Questioning their sanity
2. Identify common characteristics of family violence offenders
Common characteristics of family violence offenders:
• The majority of family violence is male-on-female; so “offender” in this context generally refers to a male offender
• May be extremely jealous and accuse partner of constant infidelity
• Usually feels very poorly about himself and has low self-esteem
• Has probably witnessed and/or been the victim of family violence as a child or young adult battering
• Believes that the male is the ruler and head of the house no matter what
• Blames others for actions and rarely takes any personal responsibility unless he will directly benefit
• May act very differently in public than at home
• May be hateful and ugly to everyone, i.e., the town bully
• Unable to deal with stress; may turn to drug/alcohol abuse.
o Substance abuse in itself does not cause the violence. Although substance abuse may intensify the frequency and severity of family violence, studies show that when substance abuse stops, the battering usually continues. There are batterers who are not substance abusers and substance abusers who do not batter.
• Uses sex aggressively to maintain power and control
• Does not believe his behavior should have negative consequences...