Intersections of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault ext ext. 17

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1 Intersections of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Rose Luna, Deputy Director, TAASA Brad Teaff, Training Specialist ext ext. 17

2 Underlying Themes Primarily affect women Majority of perpetrators are men Both underreported Both are interpersonal violence affecting families and children

3 Underlying Themes Subjugation Disdain for women Power and control Inequality

4 How Does Our Culture Support Violence Against Women at Such High Rates? Media Objectification of women Dehumanization of women Portrayals of what it means to be a man Laws that show we don t trust women Normalized violence Sexualized violence Not valuing women s work Lack of women in leadership

5 Domestic Violence Overview : STATISTICS Approximately 1 in 4 women in the US (24.3%) has experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in her lifetime 1 In 2013, 119 women were murdered by their intimate partner in Texas 2 One-third of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner Approximately 70% of cases are never reported to police 1 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Summary Report 2 TCFV.org Honoring Texas Victims Report

6 What is Abuse? Sexual Physical Financial Emotional/ Verbal

7 So, What is it All About?

8 POWER AND CONTROL

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10 Why Do Victims Stay?

11 Why Do Victims Stay? Hope Love Fear Shame Cash Kids Food Pets Home Gods Cars Ring Sick Jobs

12 Intersection of Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Sexual Assault used as additional form of battering Sexual Assault as a tool to batter (vs physical form of battering)

13 Increased risk for victims of sexual assault within the context of Domestic Violence Increased fatality risk Deliberate infliction of pregnancy Deliberate infliction of STD s Increased psychological and physical effects It was different, worse somehow, than the battery Intimate Partner Violence Series, Sexual Assault in the Context of Domestic Violence, nd Edition, Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs.

14 Victims Perspective Often times the victim... Does not recognize the rape as an assault Believes the law protects rapist/spouse Believes the spouse has a right to rape Believes once you consent, you can never withdrawal Unfortunately, society also believes Intimate Partner Violence Series, Sexual Assault in the Context of Domestic Violence, nd Edition, Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs.

15 Sexual Assault within Domestic Violence MacFarlane, Dr. Judith, Malecha, Dr. Ann. (2005). Sexual Assault Among Intimates: Frequency, Consequences & Treatments, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

16 Sexual Assault within Domestic Violence For 30% of the women sexual assault occurred before the physical abuse began 40% of the women reported physical abuse immediately before they were sexually assaulted for the first time For the others the physical abuse began after they resisted the sexual abuse. When I began to resist the forced sex, he became more violent. Punching me and holding me down for sex MacFarlane, Dr. Judith, Malecha, Dr. Ann. (2005). Sexual Assault Among Intimates: Frequency, Consequences & Treatments, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

17 Sexual Assault within Domestic Violence Victims of sexual assault within the domestic violence reported significantly more symptoms of PTSD compared to DV victims with no sexual assault 1 22% of the sexually assaulted women within domestic violence - threatened or tried to commit suicide compared to only 4% of DV victims with no sexual assault 1 1 MacFarlane, Dr. Judith, Malecha, Dr. Ann. (2005). Sexual Assault Among Intimates: Frequency, Consequences & Treatments, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

18 Sexual Assault within Domestic Violence Children, aged of sexual abused mothers, showed the same degree of depressive behaviors as children under treatment 1 AND More problems than children of the same age of physically only abused mothers 1 MacFarlane, Dr. Judith, Malecha, Dr. Ann. (2005). Sexual Assault Among Intimates: Frequency, Consequences & Treatments, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

19 Sexual Assault within Domestic Violence Hispanic & Immigrant women reported the most symptoms of PTSD 1 AND Immigrant women reported significantly fewer sources of social support 1 MacFarlane, Dr. Judith, Malecha, Dr. Ann. (2005). Sexual Assault Among Intimates: Frequency, Consequences & Treatments, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

20 Sexual Assault within Domestic Violence Sexually assaulted women reported more risk factors of femicide 1 Strangulation Threats from abuser to kill victim and hurt the children When compared to physically abused-only mothers 1 MacFarlane, Dr. Judith, Malecha, Dr. Ann. (2005). Sexual Assault Among Intimates: Frequency, Consequences & Treatments, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

21 To Report or Not Report..Not a question! REPORT Not contacting police after first sexual assault doubled the risk for re-assault Reporting or contacting the police lessened the likelihood of re-assault by 59% 1 1 MacFarlane, Dr. Judith, Malecha, Dr. Ann. (2005). Sexual Assault Among Intimates: Frequency, Consequences & Treatments, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

22 Protective Orders? Helpful or Harmful? Victims who applied for protective orders were 70% less likely to be re-assaulted 1 Victims who DID NOT apply for protective orders were 3.3 times more likely to be re-assaulted 1 1 MacFarlane, Dr. Judith, Malecha, Dr. Ann. (2005). Sexual Assault Among Intimates: Frequency, Consequences & Treatments, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

23 Reproductive Justice 20% of the women reported at least one raperelated pregnancy 1 30% of women reported sexual assault during pregnancy 1 1 MacFarlane, Dr. Judith, Malecha, Dr. Ann. (2005). Sexual Assault Among Intimates: Frequency, Consequences & Treatments, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

24 Reproductive Coercion Reproductive coercion is defined as threats or acts of violence against a partner s reproductive health or reproductive decision-making. It includes forced sex, a male partner pressuring a woman to become pregnant against her will and interference with the use of birth control 1 1 Chamberlain, L & Levenson, R. (2013). Addressing Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Sexual Coercion: A Guide for Obstetric, Gynecologic, Reproductive Heath Care Settings. Futures Without Violence, Third Ed.

25 Prevalence National Domestic Violence Hotline Study 1 25% indicated their partner or ex-partner told them not to use any birth control 25% indicated their partner or ex-partner tried to force or pressure them to become pregnant 16% indicated their partner or ex-partner removed a condom during sex so they would become pregnant 24% indicated their partner or ex-partner made them have sex without a condom so they would become pregnant 1 Chamberlain, L & Levenson, R. (2013). Addressing Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Sexual Coercion: A Guide for Obstetric, Gynecologic, Reproductive Heath Care Settings. Futures Without Violence, Third Ed.

26 Intimate Partner Violence Sexual Assault: Statistics Nearly 1 in 10 women in the U.S. has been raped by an intimate partner in her lifetime 1 Approximately 1 in 6 women has experienced sexual violence other than rape by an intimate partner in her lifetime 1 More than half of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner 1 Research establishes that women who are being raped as well as battered are in greater danger of being killed than women who are battered but not raped 2 1 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Summary Report. (2011). National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2 Sexual Assault in the Context of Domestic Violence. (2009). Intimate Partner Sexual Violence. Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, Second Ed.

27 Potential Screening Questions Have you ever been intimate with your partner when you didn t want to? Does your partner ever force you to be intimate? How often does this happen and when did it happen last? Have you ever been intimate with your partner because you were afraid of him? Are there times when sex between you and your partner is unpleasant? What happens to make it unpleasant? Do you and your partner have disagreements about sex: for example, when and how often you have sex? How do you resolve those disagreements? Do you think you and your partner enjoy your sexual relationship equally? Has your partner ever made you have a sexual experience when you had too much alcohol to drink or when you ve taken something (drugs, etc.) that made you unable to consent? Has your partner ever forced or pressured you into doing things that you weren t comfortable with? What were they? Has your partner ever forced you to have a sexual experience by using a weapon, or by physically hurting you? Has your partner ever forced you to have a sexual experience by kidnapping you, or by breaking into your home/office/car, etc.? Have you ever had sex with your partner because he has threatened, pressured, forced, or hurt you? What happened?2 Has your partner ever had sex with you when you were physically or mentally unable to say yes or agree to the activity? Have you ever given in to a sexual encounter with your partner to avoid fighting or being hurt? Have you ever had a sexual encounter because you felt overwhelmed by your partner s continual arguing and / or pressure? Has your partner ever touched you in a sexual way that has made you feel uncomfortable? Has your partner ever said or done sexually degrading things to you?

28 Follow Up Questions How long has this sexual abuse / behavior been occurring in your relationship? How often does the sexual abuse occur? Are there any patterns between the physical and sexual abuse in your relationship? Have you noticed any change in the frequency or severity of abuse in your relationship? Was there ever any force or pressure involved? Have you ever told anyone or received help? Who did you tell or what type of help did you receive? How has the sexual abuse in your relationship impacted you? Have you noticed any physical or medical changes with your body? What has been the emotional or psychological affects you ve experienced as a result of the sexual abuse? How can I help you?

29 Potential Responses I m so glad you told me what s been happening. This happens to a lot of people and it s not your fault. You deserve to be treated with kindness. You deserve to and have your boundaries be respected. It is your decision about how far you want to go with kissing, touching, or anything sexual. What you ve said about your relationship really concerns me. I can share some information with you about different options. It sounds really complicated. I want you to know that sometimes things can get more dangerous, and that you can always call us for support.

30 Guide for Law Enforcement According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, between 1992 and 2000, 63% of completed rapes, 65% of attempted rapes, and 74% of completed and attempted sexual assaults against females were not reported to the police 1 Goals for an officer are to identify the information that supports the facts of the case, identify and preserve evidence, identify the offender, develop probable cause to support the arrest and prosecution of the offender 1 Stevens, L. & Sheaffer, B. (2007). Screening for Sexual Violence: Gaps in Research and Recommendations for Change. National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women

31 A Law Enforcement Perspective The majority of Law Enforcement Officers are not aware of the connection between DV/SA. Most are not even considering SA by an spouse. Training needs to be updated to include this connection.

32 DV Calls from Law Enforcement DV calls priorities Initial call is victim safety as well as officer and suspect immediate safety. Immediate needs of victim meet. Shelter, safety, children. Contact with DV Shelter/Crisis Center

33 Law Enforcement Investigation At the scene, Law Enforcement is trying to figure out what happened at that moment. We try to determine if there a history of DV prior to tonight. Most of the time, detailed history/statements are not taken until 12 hours to two or three days later. By this time a lot of victims have recanted, or do not wish to go forward.

34 What needs to change There needs to be a culture shift in Law Enforcement on this topic. Advocates/Crisis Centers can be a driving force in this Communication with Law Enforcement is a great starting point

35 Follow Up Actions Safety plan with her Connect her to local resources Ask her what she is needing

36 Guide for Law Enforcement Vital to use a victim centered approach Giving victims choices Demonstrating sensitivity Avoid pre-mature judgments Avoid interrupting Understand that trauma affects the way our brains process incidents, which means her account may not progress chronologically

37 Follow Up Actions Safety plan with her Connect her to local resources Ask her what she is needing

38 Questions?

39 Contact information Rose Luna TAASA (512) ext. 13 Brad Teaff TAASA (512) ext. 17