Transforming a Flawed Policy: A Call To Review Psychology and Science in Domestic Violence Research and Practice

• NCJ Number: 215447
• Journal: Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 11 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2006 Pages: 457-483
• Author(s): Donald G. Dutton; Kenneth Corvo
• Date Published: September 2006
• Length: 27 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper reviews the prevailing criminal justice intervention model for domestic violence, provides examples of how the paradigm used to support this model distorts research findings, and compares this flawed research with methodologically superior studies that suggest a different and potentially more effective strategy.

Abstract

The view that patriarchy (embedded cultural values and behaviors that involve male dominance of women) is the sole cause of domestic violence has been the underlying paradigm that has influenced the regulatory, legal, and policy discourse for domestic violence in many countries, including the United States and Canada. The influence of this paradigm has persisted in the face of a variety of research across disciplines that have repeatedly found that domestic violence is influenced by a much wider range of factors. Violence between intimates and family members stems from a complex of etiological processes with neurological, psychological, and cultural influences. The etiology of intimate partner violence has been found to have long-term development that stems from early family influences such as witnessed violence and trauma. Recent evidence from methodologically sound studies indicates that intimate partner violence is committed by both genders with often similar consequences. Recurring intimate partner violence is most often sustained by interactive factors and violence by both parties. The stereotype of male aggressor and passive female victim is the least common form of domestic violence. The authors argue that the popular one-dimensional paradigm that ignores the full body of research findings on domestic violence has led to criminal justice and treatment strategies that ignore the psychological and developmental factors in both genders that underlie violent and abusive behaviors in intimate partnerships. 150 references