NCJ Number
169688
Date Published
1997
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Using comments by victims of domestic violence as well as law-enforcement, court, social-services, and mental-health professionals, this video examines the dynamics and effects of domestic violence, why victims stay in abusive relationships, and resources and actions that can help domestic violence victims; although suitable for use in any State, some of the material applies to residents of Delaware.
Abstract
Domestic violence victims and professionals who deal with domestic violence comment on who the abusers are and why they engage in violence. They note that domestic violence occurs in a cross-section of families of all socioeconomic levels. Both victims and professionals agree that abusers have a strong need to control their spouses. They use emotional intimidation and ultimately violence to seek total submission and compliance from their victims as well as the victim's willingness to accept degrading emotional abuse that stems from the abuser's own low self-esteem and sense of failure. Acts of violence tend to be followed by regret and a promise that it will never happen again, but the violence persists and may even escalate. In commenting on why they stayed in an abusive relationship, victims of abuse mention fear of losing their children, fear of being followed and killed by the abuser, economic dependence on the abuser, and an unpredictable future. Among the remedies for domestic violence is Delaware's Protection-from-Abuse (PFA) order, which is a civil protection order that carries criminal penalties. Victims of domestic violence can secure a PFA order in a civil proceeding. At the conclusion of the video, a family court judge comments that domestic violence can be addressed through information, education, counseling, monitoring, and the cultivation of respect for one another. A discussion guide accompanies the video.