THE PERFECT STORM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE The Perfect Storm of Domestic Abuse Central Washington University Kathleen Mary Andersen 1
THE PERFECT STORM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE Abstract What is domestic abuse also known or connected to domestic violence? According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence (NCADV) "Domestic violence are the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse." (The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence} Domestic abuse has no age boundaries; it can be a child, a teenager, a spouse or girlfriend or even a parent. It can be done by all social classes. This report will focus on one aspect of domestic abuse, the physical act of violating another person who we are closely connected and are involved with on an emotional level. Emotions and control play an important role in love relationships. When past insecurities, jealousy, or experiences come into play, it creates a volatility that goes beyond physical bounds. Why are certain people more violent to their partner or why does a partner become more submissive in that relationship? This paper reviews the perfect storm of domestic abuse. 2
THE PERFECT STORM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE Introduction. Where does it begin? We do not always understand why we are attracted to another individual. As much as we would like to think it is about looks, smell, or personality there can be more going on in the background. Personality mixes and matches is an intriguing field. Although we do not always understand our motives when it comes to attraction, we do not always see the complete picture until we have spent time with someone. Events in our past and our current life also have an impact on how the game plays out. The loving, "I am concerned you were late," can change to a demanding "why were you late"? The signs gradually show up as "you are always spending time with your friends or family", "I saw how that guy looked at you". A research report by J. Douglas Bremmer, MD entitled Trauma Stress: The Effects on the Brain, concluded that brain protection is from "The brain regions that are felt to play an important role in PTSD include hippocampus, amygdala, and medial prefrontal cortex. Cortisol and norepinephrine are two neurochemical systems that are critical in the stress response." (Bremmer, 2006). Nussbaum personality was seduced by someone who knew how to manipulate and berate her. She still suffers from body fractures which have created a leg, a fractured jaw, a broken nose as well as One of the most famous domestic abuse cases hit the news in 1989 was that of the Joel Steinberg/Hedda Nussbaum trial. Nussbaum a shy and awkward young woman fell for the- 3