Making appropriate parenting arrangements in family violence cases: applying the literature to identify promising practices

Figure 2 - Continuum of Aggression and Abuse (La Violette, 2005)

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Common Couple Aggression	High Conflict	Abuse	Battering	Terrorism / Stalking
Aberrant act Remorse [6] Does not cause fear, oppression or control No serious injury Comes from escalating arguments Could happen in any family	Do not solve problems well Anger is an issue in family May have remorse May have sporadic physical aggression and/or destruction of property Not emotionally abusive No fear Comes from escalating arguments	Sporadic physical aggression Name-calling, but not character assassination Verbal abuse, but not psychological Development of apprehension May be remorseful Threats of abandonment Threats of getting custody Aggression takes place without witnesses	Monopolization of perception Generally more regular physical abuse, but may occur without any physical abuse Threats to victim’s support system Isolation Name-calling that attacks character Threats to kill self or others Jealousy Putting down of family and friends Destruction of property Self-absorbed Sexual abuse Change in victim’s personality More generally violent	Monopolization of perception Insidious psychological abuse Well-thought out threats to kill—very specific Torturing pets Extreme isolation of victim by perpetrator Generally more regular physical abuse, but may occur without any physical abuse Sexual humiliation and degradation

<- More likely to see gender equivalence

Male dominant violence ->

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[6] It has been noted that the concept of displaying remorse may have cultural connotations. In this area, as with all aspects of assessment, professionals require cultural competence for providing service to a diverse group of clients. In some cultures, expressing remorse may be easily done, but not reflect genuine responsibility taking; in other cultures, there may be genuine remorse, but the socialization of men may preclude an outward expression of this responsibility taking (Zorza, personal communication).

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