The Treatment of Violence and Victimization in Intimate Relationships

Abstract

This essay presents an analysis of violence in intimate life that draws on multiple theoretical perspectives. These include but are not limited to feminist theory, object relations theory, systems theory, narrative and social constructionist theory, and neurobiology. It is argued that it is possible to be effective in ending violence and abuse through a modified couples treatment format that addresses relationship issues, individual trauma, and biological vulnerability while simultaneously taking a clear, moral position that violence, abuse, and inequality are intolerable in any form.

Couples Treatment for Interpersonal Violence: A Review of Outcome Research Literature and Current Clinical Practices

“…They invoke an ethical framework in their work -holding men responsible for their use of violence and intimidation, and women responsible for their Couples Treatment of IPV 20 own safety. They are clear, however, that a sociopolitical stance alone does not fully explain the complexities of violence in intimate relationships and add psychological and systemic approaches in a therapy that may move from "a feminist narrative highlighting issues of power and control, and then reconfigure into another gestalt that brings forth the issues of vulnerability and despair" (Goldner, 1998). Thus, this model sidesteps the typology issue by seeing all male violence as both an attempt at power and control and an expression of escalation within the dyad.…”

“…Virginia Goldner and her colleagues at the Ackerman Institute (Goldner, 1998;Goldner et al, 1990) represent one effort to integrate feminist and systemic thinking in the couples treatment of domestic violence. From the feminist perspective, the Ackerman group makes clear that they see male violence toward women as the central problem to address in therapy.…”

Working systemically with family violence: risk, responsibility and collaboration

“…Much of the therapeutic writing in this field has originated in the USA (Bograd and Mederos, 1999;Goldner, 1998) and in Australia (James, 1996;Jenkins, 1990). We try to work therapeutically in line with the recommendations of the outcome research on interventions with men who physically abuse their female partners (Dobash et al, 1999;Dunford, 2000).…”

Male Perpetrators, the Gender Symmetry Debate, and the Rejection–Abuse Cycle

“…Contrary to previous thinking, perpetrators' behavior should be considered within the context in which it takes place. Systemic perspectives highlight the importance of conjoint treatment, particularly in cases where coercive control is not present (Goldner, 1998;Murray, 2006). In the past, couple therapy was frequently proscribed where there was abuse, when it was thought that men were the only perpetrators.…”