REGISTRATION CLOSED
Domestic abuse is often misunderstood as a series of isolated incidents driven by anger, stress, substance abuse, or relationship conflict. In reality, abuse is typically a deliberate pattern of behaviors designed to establish, maintain, or regain power and control over another person. This engaging and thought-provoking webinar examines domestic abuse through six fundamental questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
Participants will explore who the predominant aggressor is and learn how abusive behavior differs from victim resistance, self-defense, or survival strategies. The workshop will examine what abuse looks like beyond physical violence, including psychological, emotional, social, economic, sexual, and coercive control tactics that target virtually every area of a victim's life.
The discussion of where abuse occurs will examine why abuse often thrives in secrecy and privacy, as well as the increased danger that can emerge when abusive behavior becomes public and the offender no longer fears being witnessed or held accountable. Participants will also explore when abuse develops, including the gradual progression of coercive control and the ways abusive tactics often escalate over time as the offender experiences a perceived loss of control. The webinar will challenge common myths about why people abuse, examining misconceptions that abuse is primarily caused by anger, substance use, mental health issues, or poor impulse control. Instead, participants will explore the role of choice, entitlement, reinforcement, and the perceived effectiveness of abusive behavior.
Finally, participants will examine how abuse is perpetrated through what can be understood as the four tasks of the abuser: selecting a victim, acquiring a victim, abusing the victim, and avoiding accountability for the abuse. Throughout the presentation, attention will be given to the impact of these behaviors on victims, families, and communities. The webinar concludes with a discussion of society's response to domestic abuse, including the importance of a coordinated community response and the role of offender intervention programs in promoting accountability and lasting change.
This workshop is designed for victim advocates, social service professionals, criminal justice personnel, healthcare providers, educators, students, community members, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse.