Spousal abuse takes many forms. Whether a person is deemed to be a victim of spousal abuse depends upon the specific facts and circumstances associated with a particular situation, according to "Spouse Abuse" by Michele Harway. Early intervention in a situation involving an abusive spouse prevents a situation from degrading even further.
History
Prior to the 1990s, most states maintained statutes that required evidence of physical abuse to support a court action for a restraining order, according to "The Domestic Violence Sourcebook" by Dawn Bradley Berry. Alleging only psychological or emotional abuse was not deemed sufficient to support a finding of abuse sufficient to allow a court to intervene. This standard started to evolve in the late 1980s and into the 1990s.
Types
Spousal abuse includes physical and sexual assault as well as psychological and emotional abuse, according to "The Domestic Violence Sourcebook." Many spousal abuse cases include allegations of more than one type of abuse. Indeed, a rare case features only one kind of abuse being perpetrated on the victim.
Time Frame
A case involving spousal abuse normally progresses from milder forms of abusive conduct to far more significant types of abuse, according to the National Institutes of Health. For example, an abusive spouse may start the process by verbally insulting and belittling his spouse. Over time, verbal abuse gives way to more egregious forms of abuse, including physically battery.
Considerations
Generally speaking, for conduct to rise to the level of spousal abuse, there usually is a pattern of inappropriate behavior, rather than an isolated instance of poor conduct, according to "The Domestic Violence Sourcebook." For example, a wife who lashes out and verbally attacks her husband once or twice over the course of a year or two is not considered to be guilty of spousal abuse. However, is she regularly berates and degrades her spouse, he is considered a victim of spousal abuse.
Expert Assistance
Ending spousal abuse nearly always requires professional assistance, both for the abuser and the victim, according to "The Domestic Violence Sourcebook." In addition, sometimes expert intervention is necessary in order for an individual to understand fully that she is the target of spousal abuse. There are therapists and counselors who specialize in treating both abusers and their victims.
References
- "Spouse Abuse"; Michele Harway; 2004
- "The Domestic Violence Sourcebook"; Dawn Bradley Berry; 2000
- National Institutes of Health: Domestic Violence
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