SCHIZOPHRENIA NOT ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENCE
An 18-year old man is implicated in the recent intimate partner homicide in Weymouth, MA. He is said to be diagnosed with schizophrenia and had a history of violence. Obviously this case is just coming into focus and little is known about the young man except that he was estranged from his mother and her boyfriend - both of whom were killed in their Weymouth home.
People should not fear patients with mental illness. In general, schizophrenia is not associated with violence unless paranoia is among the features of the chronic mental illness. A subset of patients with schizophrenia are paranoid that includes symptoms of suspiciousness, anger, and fear. It is not clear to what degree the 18 year old experienced these symptoms but his mother was quoted as saying "he is going to kill me some day.." That day, in fact, did occur on November 10th. The alleged perpetrator has been arrested and is being held. It is very likely that additional information about him and his motive will emerge.
As in many cases of domestic violence homicide containment of those individuals who pose a significant threat is necessary. In doing so, families who are at risk may be protected. The information we have about the alleged Weymouth murderer suggests that his history was quite violent and unpredictable. Treatment and containment is necessary especially when uncontrolled mental illness is suspected. In order to reduce harm greater containment of abusers is neccessary when behavior becomes unpredictable. In cases I have reviewed family members had direct knowledge that something terrible was going to happen.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
THE ROLE OF VICTIMS
ANALYZE FACTS BUT AVOID BLAMING THE VICTIM
NEW BRAINTREE, MA December 3, 2011 Inevidably DVH is the sole responsibility of the abusive and violent spouse. It is never appropriate to lay blame on the victim. After interviewing scores of individuals regarding DV and DVH it becomes evident that an analysis of the facts must include the analysis of the behavior of the victim as well as the abuser. It is well known that commonalities exist in individual cases of DV that may be a source of education and intervention. For example, in this age of social media greater care must be taken to avoid humiliation through exposure. Daily postings about trips, weekend plans, and new friends can create a feeling of resentment if read by an estranged spouse. That is no fault of the victim but it happens and caution should be taken. There are cases where the social media postings of victims have alerted the abuser to changes in living situation including new address and other intimate knowledge that may impact her safety plan.
It is important that victims of DV be provided support for their decisions and be helped to understand the risk they face. Domestic violence is an under reported crime. It often takes years for victims to come forward and decide to leave an abusive man. The risk is greatest when this happens because the abusive spouse suddenly feels he is loosing control. Arguably when this occurs "the man becomes enraged with his loss of control at the attempt by the woman to "break the relationship" and engages in various acts of harassment which include stalking, threats, assault or other subtle forms of 'psychological warfare.'" (Brayden 1998) As he becomes less significant to his spouse the risk of violence grows. The extend of this violence depends on the cognitive and emotional stability of the individuals involved. Some men become distorted in their belief of "ownership" of the victim. The case from Dexter, Maine resulted in a sharply decompensated man first destroying the family home by removing the furnace and copper piping and next destroying the family in a despicable act of murder-suicide.
NEW BRAINTREE, MA December 3, 2011 Inevidably DVH is the sole responsibility of the abusive and violent spouse. It is never appropriate to lay blame on the victim. After interviewing scores of individuals regarding DV and DVH it becomes evident that an analysis of the facts must include the analysis of the behavior of the victim as well as the abuser. It is well known that commonalities exist in individual cases of DV that may be a source of education and intervention. For example, in this age of social media greater care must be taken to avoid humiliation through exposure. Daily postings about trips, weekend plans, and new friends can create a feeling of resentment if read by an estranged spouse. That is no fault of the victim but it happens and caution should be taken. There are cases where the social media postings of victims have alerted the abuser to changes in living situation including new address and other intimate knowledge that may impact her safety plan.
It is important that victims of DV be provided support for their decisions and be helped to understand the risk they face. Domestic violence is an under reported crime. It often takes years for victims to come forward and decide to leave an abusive man. The risk is greatest when this happens because the abusive spouse suddenly feels he is loosing control. Arguably when this occurs "the man becomes enraged with his loss of control at the attempt by the woman to "break the relationship" and engages in various acts of harassment which include stalking, threats, assault or other subtle forms of 'psychological warfare.'" (Brayden 1998) As he becomes less significant to his spouse the risk of violence grows. The extend of this violence depends on the cognitive and emotional stability of the individuals involved. Some men become distorted in their belief of "ownership" of the victim. The case from Dexter, Maine resulted in a sharply decompensated man first destroying the family home by removing the furnace and copper piping and next destroying the family in a despicable act of murder-suicide.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
ANALYSIS OF FACTS HELPS REDUCE HARM
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REVIEW BOARDS
NEW BRAINTREE, MA December 3, 2011 New Braintree Police Officer Michael Sefton was recently in Augusta, Maine providing testimony about the results of the psychological autopsy conducted by Officer Sefton, Brian Gagan of Scottsdale, AZ, and Ron Allanach, Ed.D. of New Westminster, BC, Canada and Chief Joseph Laughlin of Portland, ME. Officer Sefton, who holds a doctorate in psychology provides education and forensic consultation on domestic violence including domestic violence homicide and assessment of risk.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
The testimony provided details about a hideous case of family violence that ended with the homicide of 4 members of the same family and was culminated by an attempt to burn the bodies after the murders. Their research was conducted over a 3 month period following the homicide deaths of Amy Lake and her children. Most researchers agree it is nearly impossible to predict when DVH will occur. However, the psychological autopsy provides many salient red flags that offer clues to the impending emotional conflagration. It is not uncommon that red flags are often present early in the relationship. These include obsessional jealousy, threats, sexual aggression, unwillingness to integrate into extended family, any use of a weapon, and others. In the course of their research Sefton and Gagan interviewed Dale Preston who was convicted of DVH in 1982 and served 18 years in Maine State Prison. When asked what may have stopped him from killing his wife, Mr. Preston indicate "there was nothing that could have stopped me..." In these cases a greater awareness of risk or dangerousness is essential. In some cases the containment of risk requires direct contact with an abusive spouse including GPS monitoring, house arrest, or no bail imprisonment.
The case in Maine occurred in June 2011 exactly 1 year to the day after the victim obtained a protection from abuse order from her husband. The murders occurred 2 weeks before the divorce was to be finalized and were likely triggered by the abuser's anger over not being permitted to attend his son's 8th grade graduation ceremony. The Bangor Daily News presented details of the recent psychological autopsy presented recently in Augusta, Maine. Over 30 states across America have formal homicide review boards.
Officer Sefton writes a blog about DVH at enddvh.blogspot.com
NEW BRAINTREE, MA December 3, 2011 New Braintree Police Officer Michael Sefton was recently in Augusta, Maine providing testimony about the results of the psychological autopsy conducted by Officer Sefton, Brian Gagan of Scottsdale, AZ, and Ron Allanach, Ed.D. of New Westminster, BC, Canada and Chief Joseph Laughlin of Portland, ME. Officer Sefton, who holds a doctorate in psychology provides education and forensic consultation on domestic violence including domestic violence homicide and assessment of risk.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
The testimony provided details about a hideous case of family violence that ended with the homicide of 4 members of the same family and was culminated by an attempt to burn the bodies after the murders. Their research was conducted over a 3 month period following the homicide deaths of Amy Lake and her children. Most researchers agree it is nearly impossible to predict when DVH will occur. However, the psychological autopsy provides many salient red flags that offer clues to the impending emotional conflagration. It is not uncommon that red flags are often present early in the relationship. These include obsessional jealousy, threats, sexual aggression, unwillingness to integrate into extended family, any use of a weapon, and others. In the course of their research Sefton and Gagan interviewed Dale Preston who was convicted of DVH in 1982 and served 18 years in Maine State Prison. When asked what may have stopped him from killing his wife, Mr. Preston indicate "there was nothing that could have stopped me..." In these cases a greater awareness of risk or dangerousness is essential. In some cases the containment of risk requires direct contact with an abusive spouse including GPS monitoring, house arrest, or no bail imprisonment.
The case in Maine occurred in June 2011 exactly 1 year to the day after the victim obtained a protection from abuse order from her husband. The murders occurred 2 weeks before the divorce was to be finalized and were likely triggered by the abuser's anger over not being permitted to attend his son's 8th grade graduation ceremony. The Bangor Daily News presented details of the recent psychological autopsy presented recently in Augusta, Maine. Over 30 states across America have formal homicide review boards.
Officer Sefton writes a blog about DVH at enddvh.blogspot.com
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