DVH LINKED TO A PATTERN OF SEXUAL AGGRESSION

POLICE NEED TO ASK TOUGH QUESTIONS

The continuum of domestic violence ranges from emotional abuse to physical battery, to sexual sadism, torture, and sexually motivated homicide.  As early as 1998 DVH has been linked to a chronic, egregious pattern of physical and sexual aggression among intimate partners (Gerbeth, 1998).  It is well known that law enforcement officers are the first responders for domestic violence calls across America.  Most agree that greater containment of abusers is necessary to prevent DVH - especially after an order of protection has been issued. “Protective orders in the state of Maine are written on paper and that’s about as much value as they have. We need to put some teeth in it” according to Maine Governor Paul LePage (quoted in BDN, July 2011). Arguably, it is encumbant upon the officer on the beat to ask the difficulty questions that may uncover the secretive pattern of aggression that belies too many households in America. Maine and much of New England has experienced a dramatic increase in DVH since 2009. A psychological autopsy is sometimes used to measure the prevalence of pre-incident "red flags" that indicate a higher risk of violence and DVH. These evaluations are conducted infrequently due to their cost but they are valuable tools in the fight against DVH.  Victims of domestic violence and surviving family members ask what can be done to help to reduce the risk of escalating physical and emotional damage on intimate partners.

According to Geberth, "Domestic violence murders are synonomous with Interpersonal Violence Oriented Homicide - now called Domestic Violence Homicide (DVH). The rationale for classifying domestic violence as sex related is due to the fact that murder serves as the ultimate form of sexual revenge. And, in many instances the homicides will include sexual assault or wound structures manifesting a sexual orientation."

Vernon Gerbeth was a supervising homicide investigator in Bronx, NY during the 1990's and published a paper on DVH after serving on the Governor's Commission on Domestic Violence Fatalities in 1996-1997.  37 states have DHV review boards whose task it is to review the circumstances of individual cases of homicide committed between intimate partners.  "Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of behaviors involving physical, sexual, economic and emotional abuse, alone or in combination, by an intimate partner often for the purpose of establishing and maintaining power and control over the other partner."  Review panels seek to make recommendations that are designed to lower the risks by enacting changes in response to DV across the board. 

Generally speaking, the reports generated are the culmination of months of investigation and testimony following an egregious killing.  The documents are frequently published and contain the intimate details thought to be the triggers in the case.  These details must become the substantive underpinning of change in the handling of new cases of DV in order to reduce the risk of DVH.  Police and social service agencies should work together and integrate the recommendations from review boards.  On going education and training may facilitate this risk reduction.


VJ Geberth, (1998) Practical Homicide Investigation. Law and Order Magazine, Vol. 46 No. 112, November, pp 51-54.