Analysing the Types of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is defined as "inter-spousal physical or emotional abuse." It's easy for victims to say, "Well he doesn't actually hit me," but harmful words, threats, name-calling and manipulation often lead to more serious consequences later down the road. Often, couples in domestic disputes lose sight of reality and feel that fighting is "normal," or that it's "healthy to disagree." However, one should never feel afraid of his or her partner, unable to freely discuss certain topics without provoking outrage, or restrained by a partner's obsessive jealousy.

Johnson and Ferraro (2000) classified domestic violence into five different types. The first type is called "Common Couple Violence," where there are one or two incidents of extreme violence that doesn't follow a pattern of attempted control. These abusers (which are 56% male and 44% female) are usually non-violent outside the house and are least likely to be sexually or emotionally violent. The second type is called "Intimate Terrorism," which is a pattern of control and manipulation that involves emotional abuse. These assailants are more likely to kill their partners and plot revenge following the breakup of a relationship.

The third type of domestic violence is "Violent Resistance," where one partner acts controlling and intimidating, while the other partner reacts in violent self-defense. This kind of violence may be a one-time event or a pattern. "Mutual Violent Control" or mutual combat involves two people using violence to control one another. The last domestic violence type is called "Dysphoric-Borderline Violence," which describes a needy, dependent and emotionally imbalanced person who turns to "pitbull" type violence out of frustration, depression, fear of abandonment and neediness.

The biggest risk for personal injury in domestic violence relationships comes at the point of separation, which is why most victims are reluctant to leave. Since threats and violence are typically control strategies, the abuser may feel more inclined to react extremely to maintain power.

However, the break can be done quickly, efficiently and safely with a proper plan. Emergency, shelter and counseling services are available through the Red Cross, Family Rescue, the National Organization of Women and the National Domestic Abuse hotline. These organizations can help you devise and implement a safe escape plan.

Once domestic violence has occurred, you must immediately begin planning how to get out. While you prepare to leave, take photo documentation of injuries sustained during a violent episode, take pictures of damaged property if applicable and write down everything that happened. Tell someone what is happening to you. If you are injured, then go in for care.

Be sure your children are safe at a friend's house or at least locked in their room. Hopefully, you have saved some emergency money, saved a spare set of keys and have kept your financial documents, medication, identification and important documents together, ready to go. While it may seem difficult to imagine leaving, there is no way to live happily and healthily in an abusive situation.

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