Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Towards a Model of Interpersonal Domination to Understand Violence Perpetrated in Close Relationships - Omar Saldaña, Carolina Andana, Almudena Tello, Álvaro Rodríguez-Carballeira
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Disclaimer: This session was delivered for the 2023 ICSA Conference. The speaker of this session does not speak on behalf of ICSA as an organization.
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Abstract: In recent years, scientific evidence has accumulated on the elements that characterize different forms of interpersonal violence that can occur in intense, continuous, close relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine the similarities that exist between violence perpetrated in abusive groups, intimate partner violence, and the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. First, these forms of interpersonal violence involve a severe power imbalance between a victim who is usually in a situation of vulnerability and a perpetrator who holds some kind of authority. This power imbalance makes victims relatively unable to defend their own interests and feel increasingly powerless, helpless, and even more vulnerable. Second, the recurrence and duration of interactions over time are key elements to understand the phenomenon. Violence is perpetrated on a continuous and systematic basis, which allows the process to be gradually intensified and fosters the normalization of the abusive situation. Third, interpersonal violence involves the implementation of a wide range of psychological, sexual, and physical abuse strategies that directly impact the victims by affecting their emotions, cognitions, and behaviors, or indirectly by controlling their immediate environment. Scholars have identified several strategies that can be perpetrated against cult followers, women in couples, and sexually exploited minors alike, such as isolation, intimidation and threats, manipulation of guilt, or the redefinition of reality. Fourth, the primary goal of interpersonal violence in close relationships is to obtain submission and broad dominance over the lives of the victims, rather than to cause damage or simply obtain obedience to specific orders. For perpetrators, domination may produce satisfaction associated with the achievement of power, as well as other benefits related to the labor, economic, or sexual exploitation of the victims. A conceptual model that highlights the parallelisms between these forms of interpersonal violence may be useful to better understand the phenomenon.
Towards a Model of Interpersonal Domination to Understand Violence Perpetrated in Close Relationships - Omar Saldaña, Carolina Andana, Almudena Tello, Álvaro Rodríguez-Carballeira
-
Disclaimer: This session was delivered for the 2023 ICSA Conference. The speaker of this session does not speak on behalf of ICSA as an organization.
-
Abstract: In recent years, scientific evidence has accumulated on the elements that characterize different forms of interpersonal violence that can occur in intense, continuous, close relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine the similarities that exist between violence perpetrated in abusive groups, intimate partner violence, and the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. First, these forms of interpersonal violence involve a severe power imbalance between a victim who is usually in a situation of vulnerability and a perpetrator who holds some kind of authority. This power imbalance makes victims relatively unable to defend their own interests and feel increasingly powerless, helpless, and even more vulnerable. Second, the recurrence and duration of interactions over time are key elements to understand the phenomenon. Violence is perpetrated on a continuous and systematic basis, which allows the process to be gradually intensified and fosters the normalization of the abusive situation. Third, interpersonal violence involves the implementation of a wide range of psychological, sexual, and physical abuse strategies that directly impact the victims by affecting their emotions, cognitions, and behaviors, or indirectly by controlling their immediate environment. Scholars have identified several strategies that can be perpetrated against cult followers, women in couples, and sexually exploited minors alike, such as isolation, intimidation and threats, manipulation of guilt, or the redefinition of reality. Fourth, the primary goal of interpersonal violence in close relationships is to obtain submission and broad dominance over the lives of the victims, rather than to cause damage or simply obtain obedience to specific orders. For perpetrators, domination may produce satisfaction associated with the achievement of power, as well as other benefits related to the labor, economic, or sexual exploitation of the victims. A conceptual model that highlights the parallelisms between these forms of interpersonal violence may be useful to better understand the phenomenon.
