Theories of Domestic Violence
Psychoanalytic theories emphasize the personal inner psychological processes that may lead someone to be abusive or to tolerate abusive behavior. On the other hand, social theories highlight how aggression, abuse, and violence are learned behaviors that family members pass on to one another.
Learned Helplessness Theory
This theory delves into the psychological reasons behind why women who are abused often remain with their partners. It suggests that individuals who experience repeated situations of confinement or painful experiences, where they have no say, eventually stop trying to escape or avoid the pain. Many times, a woman in this situation feels trapped and believes she cannot find a way out.
The Stockholm Syndrome
This theory can help explain why women in abusive situations may feel love and loyalty toward their abusers. When someone is faced with the threat of harm from a captor who sometimes shows kindness and is cut off from outside support, they may start to develop feelings for the captor and even feel hostility toward those trying to help them escape.
Theory of Power and Control
This theory suggests that a layered social structure serves as the backdrop for instances of domestic violence. The individual in the higher position holds authority over the one below them. They employ various tactics to keep control over that person.
Additional facts about domestic violence
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Every 15 seconds a woman is physically assaulted within her home.
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Domestic Violence is the most common cause of injury to women, exceeding auto accidents, muggings and rapes combined.
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Approximately 95% of the victims of domestic violence are women.
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An estimated three to four million American women are abused each year by their husbands or partners.
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Research suggests that wife-beating results in more injuries that require medical treatment than rape, auto accidents, and muggings combined.
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Each year, more than 800,000 women seek medical assistance for injuries caused by battering.
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20% of women seeking emergency surgical procedures are victims of domestic violence.
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Between two and four thousand women are beaten to death each year.
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Violence will occur at least once in two thirds of all marriages.
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The National Crime Survey data shows that once a woman is victimized by domestic violence, her risk of being victimized again is high. During a six-month period, following an incident of domestic violence, approximately 32% of women are victimized again.