Before they're victims: Rethinking youth-targeted relationship abuse prevention in Australia

Abstract

Intimate partner abuse (or relationship abuse) against women is recognised as a major public health issue. A number of relationship abuse prevention programs targeted at youth have been developed in Australia. These programs are generally aimed at changing attitudes, and take the stance that girls should not be viewed as being responsible for protecting themselves against violence. In this paper it is argued that the current, dominant focus on physical violence, over other forms of relationship abuse, limits the potential effectiveness of programs that might otherwise help young people to resist the development of abusive dynamics. It is also argued that programs that presume a victim status for girls and a perpetrator status for boys are both inconsistent with contemporary evidence and unlikely to empower young people at risk of chronic perpetration and/or victimisation to avoid such outcomes. A dyadic slippery slope model of chronic relationship abuse is proposed and new directions for prevention research in this area are suggested.

TREAD: A Promising Change-Target for Partner Abuse Prevention with Adolescents

“…The dyadic slippery slope model of chronic partner abuse (Murphy 2012a;see Fig. 1) delineates the mechanisms by which these precursor behaviors can evolve over time and lead to serious harm (see also Murphy and Smith 2010b). Within a self-perpetuating feedback loop, one or both partners engage in increasingly hurtful and/or controlling behaviors, as the other partner's responses become more aggressive or accommodative.…”

Warning Signs of Partner Abuse in Intimate Relationships: Gender Differences in Young Adults’ Perceptions of Seriousness

“…The current study offers novel findings regarding young adult male and female perceptions of the early warning signs of abuse in intimate relationships. Specifically, it explored how seriously young adults rated three groups of unhealthy relationship behaviors that are considered potential warning signs for later abuse in relationships: denigration, dominance-possessiveness, and conflict-retaliation (K. A. Murphy & Smith, 2010b; K.…”

“…A. Murphy, Smith & Xenos 2012, p. 352).They theorize that a “slippery slope” of seemingly innocent boundary transgressions may set a foundation for greater violations and potential later abuse (K. A. Murphy, 2011; K. A. Murphy & Smith, 2010b).…”

“…Given the high prevalence and negative effects of violence in young adult relationships in Australia and internationally, there is an imperative to provide support to prevent harms from occurring. Equipping young adults with the skills to recognize problematic partner behaviors during early intimate relationship interactions, and to respond protectively, may reduce the likelihood of unhealthy relationship dynamics developing (K. A. Murphy & Smith, 2010b).…”

“…It may also assist young adults to make better, conscious decisions about whether to progress commitment in these relationships (Vennum & Fincham, 2011). Recognition of unhealthy partner behaviors, clarification of personal rights, and assertion of healthy boundaries may influence the trajectory of relationship dynamics and avoid the entrenchment of problematic interpersonal patterns that could lead to later abuse or violence (K. A. Murphy & Smith, 2010b).…”