PSYCHOPATHY AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Over the past weeks, my work has focused on reviewing and summarizing well-developed research on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), Coercive Control (CC), and the underlying presence of psychopathy of perpetrators of abuse. In my work of testifying as an Expert Witness, I tailor reports that support my clients and their experiences with the most current research.
In reviewing recent social media posts, the focus is often victims/survivors of IPV/CC, which mirrors the central problem in family courts. When attention in family courts remains on victims/survivors, it is typically the result of an IPV/CC perpetrator shifting focus from the father’s behavior to that of the mother. This tactic is becoming increasingly known as DARVO, an acronym for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender.
Perpetrators do not want the spotlight on them. DARVO begins when they deny the allegation, attack their victim with a separate and false allegation, and then assume the victim role to avoid the offender spotlight. What if we prevent DARVO by looking at an IPV/CC perpetrator’s behavioral patterns over time? We would likely find characteristics of a personality disorder.
PERSONALITY DISORDER CHARACTERISTICS
The term “narcissist” is broadly applied, although Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) does not fully capture the traits of an IPV/CC perpetrator. Research supports a mixture of traits, including borderline and antisocial personality features that suggest subgroups. Other research found that a psychopathic type is impulsive, lacks remorse or empathy, and has a general tendency towards violence. A hostile/controlling type shares similarities with narcissistic and antisocial personalities, exhibiting tendencies to control and dominate others.
PSYCHOPATHY IN IPV/CC
Psychopathy is strongly linked to antisocial, impulsive, and violent behaviors, including intimate partner violence (IPV). Higher levels of psychopathic traits significantly increase the likelihood of IPV, which supports incorporating psychopathy into risk assessments and treatment plans for IPV perpetrators. Additionally, antisocial, borderline, and narcissistic personality traits are common among those who commit IPV.
Studies indicate that individuals scoring high on the interpersonal relationship and mood shift scales of psychopathy are more prone to partner violence compared to those with high levels on the impulsive and antisocial dimension. The wide variation of personality characteristics does not yet equate specifically to a personality disorder of an IPV/CC perpetrator. Yet, personality disorders and characteristic traits of IPV/CC perpetrators show consistent behavioral patterns throughout adolescence and adulthood.
BEHAVIORS OF PSYCHOPATHIC ABUSERS
Behavior is more honest than words. Behavior is observable, patterned, and consistent over time. Persons with psychopathic tendencies generally have hardships beginning in childhood with severe abuse, neglect, or parents with substance abuse problems or personality disorders. As such, IPV/CC perpetrators have problematic or minimal attachments with parental figures, which prevents positive attachments to others.
When we look at a perpetrator of IPV/CC, we will sometimes find cruelty to animals beginning at young ages, which is later found in their relationships with significant others. This cruelty is then extended to their partners and children in a consistent and patterned way. However, family pets remain unfortunate targets in their efforts to maintain control of their human victims, sending messages of “this can happen to you, too”. Many victims remain in the home in fear of leaving their beloved pets.
THE LIST GOES ON…
The behaviors of an IPV/CC perpetrator are endless, persistent, and repetitive over time, much like the consistency of a personality disorder not yet defined by psychological standards. At the top of lethality scales are threats or use of a weapon, non-fatal strangulation, threats to kill their partner, and threats to commit homicide and/or suicide. Unfortunately, I am no longer surprised to learn that a woman or a child has died and a history of IPV/CC was ignored. The red flag I look for is a significant deviation in their behavior, signaling imminent danger.
Physical and sexual violence, psychological warfare, child abuse, physical and electronic stalking, harassment, threats, financial control, weaponizing children, and abusive litigation are only an overview of the tools they use against their partners and children. IPV/CC perpetrators hone their tactics as they are effective or not with their partner or children. As such, tactics change but patterns of escalation can also be notable.
THE PROBLEM WITH COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
Judges and attorneys have degrees in law and typically do not pursue a minor in psychology. A psychologist earns a degree in behavior, emotion, brain function. Forensic psychologists work with law, corrections, assessment, and research. Studies over decades have shown that legal professionals are unaware of the psychology of a perpetrator of IPV/CC. They are unable to recognize how a perpetrator shifts the psychology of the courtroom. That is not their job although studies’ outcomes repeatedly encourage legal professionals to pursue specialized training in IPV/CC. Research has supported for decades that victims/survivors continue to be ignored, allowing IPV/CC perpetration to continue, sometimes “until death do us part.”
SHIFTING THE FOCUS
In supporting my clients as an Expert Witness, I review volumes of documentation from their attorney. The documentation shows me the behavioral patterns of their IPV/CC perpetrator, allowing me to cut through the DARVO and reposition the spotlight away from my client. Why do I believe them? Research supports that women falsify reports less than 2-6% of the time whereas men are 16 times more likely to fabricate an allegation. I follow the science and inform the court on how the decades of research supports the case.
