Rebecca Sposato MS, RN

Most partner abuse starts as emotional abuse, may progress to physical or sexual abuse

Each year, women experience about 4.8 million intimate partner related physical assaults and rapes. Men are the victims of about 2.9 million intimate partner related physical assaults.

Resulted in 2,340 deaths in 2007. Of these deaths, 70% were females and 30% were males

http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/intimatepartnerviolence/consequences.html

Risk factors for perpetration : Being violent or aggressive in the past Seeing or being a victim of violence as a

child Using drugs or alcohol, especially

drinking heavily Not having a job or other life events that

cause stress Personality or conduct disorder

Length of time in each potion may vary, or couple may move back in forth between portions

Presence of ‘Honeymoon Phase’ does not indicate permanent improvement in relationship

Physical injuriesStunted personal growth self-doubt, low self-esteemSocial isolationAnxiety, depression, self-injurious behaviorssomatic symptoms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riwHaBHnTi0

The paradoxical response by abuse victims who support and comply with the abuser in order to survive and reduce the trouble

The victim feels:- self is under serious threat-occasional ‘small acts of kindness’-control and isolation

-the inability to escapehttp://counsellingresource.com/lib/therapy/self-help/stockholm/3/

Successfully leaving an abuser cannot be done spontaneously, it requires preparation

Each table has 5 minutes to compose a safety plan

Prior to leaving, covertly: document abuse- journal, doctor visit, photos,

police report Stash packed bag-phone, numbers, money,

finances, personal items, meds, address book, keys, important papers, ID

Form a new email account, get a pre-paid cell phone

Arrange transportation and destination Tell the children a code word for when to leave

http://www.thehotline.org/get-help/safety-planning/

After the victim leaves: Change previous contact information-

email accounts, bank accounts, credit cards, post-office box

Vary daily routine, errands, commute Obtain restraining order and keep copy

in possession Change locks, work location/hours

Centers for disease control (2011). Retrieved fromwww.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/intimatepartnerviolence/consequences.html

Counseling Resourse (2011) Retrieved from http://counsellingresource.com/lib/therapy/self-help/stockholm/3

The Hotline (2011). Retrieved from http://counsellingresource.com/lib/therapy/self-help/stockholm/3