Intimate Partner Abuse Theory

Chapter 8 entitled, Intimate Partner Abuse, outlines and dwells on the victims in abusive relationships. Intimate partner abuse is when an individual in a relationship purposely hurts another person physically and or as well as emotionally. IPA and domestic violence correlates because the abuse usually comes from a current or past lover. The factors that can contribute to intimate partner abuse is the individual, relationship, community and societal. There are two forms of violence throughout IPA which is yelling and throwing objects and the more intense form would be striking and hitting.

The cycle theory of violence gives one reasoning as to why battered individuals stay in an abusive relationship. The cycle theory of violence has three

phases which are tension-building phase, the exploration or acute battering phase, and the calm, loving respite phase. The tension- building phase explains the increased tension within a relationship. The exploration or acute battering phase is when the abuser begins to lose control of themselves and begin to assault their companion. The calm, loving respite phase is when the offender becomes aware that they have gone to far and begins to be apologetic as well as begs for forgiveness.
During the reading, a topic that caught my attention and was interesting is that individuals who are abused over a period of time develop battered woman syndrome.

Battered woman syndrome suggests that victims of intimate partner abuse become immune to the abuse and believe they no other option but to stay with their abuser. It interested me because its sad that there are individuals in the world who can not see away out of being abused and could potential be costing themselves their lives because they’re living in fear of someone who is supposed to love and care for them.

Another theory that caught my interest about battered individuals is the traumatic bonding theory, which explains that some victims stay with their abuser because of a hidden attachment one grows after leaving their abuser. The Stockholm theory is when victims are held hostage and begin to develop positive captors due to need of survival.

Other factors of IPA include ones’ social status, power, dependency, alcohol, pregnancy and marriage. An offender has lots of control and power over their victim. The power an offender holds over their victim in many cause fuels their urge to continue to abuse them because the feeling of empowerment they feel. Marriage dependency is another leading factor in domestic due for their need of what their offender can provide for them. An individual who is economically dependent on someone is more likely to deal with severe situations like physical

abuse.
The response to spousal assault is so compared to the police response for other crimes, It is the law enforcements jobs to protect victims but with the matter of spousal assault, many police officers would rather not get involved into family matter. Many police agency practice call screenings which results in slower response time for victims and can be beneficial for the offender. An abuser can be charged with battery towards their offender. These charges can range from as little as a misdemeanor to a felony charge.
Chapter 8 gave a new light about domestic violence for me. There is still a lot that needs to be done on behalf of law enforcement to aid victims and abusers. Abusers need help to understand that abusing their spouse or lover is not okay. Domestic violence are actions that should never take place throughout any relationship, it is not healthy and can be detrimental.