ICDVP Dynamics of Domestic Violence 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The lethality assessment tool used most widely by domestic violence advocates in Illinois is designed to:
- Determine criminal charges against the abuser
- Identify victims at highest risk of being killed by their intimate partner (Correct answer)
- Measure the severity of physical injuries
- Evaluate children's exposure to domestic violence
Correct answer: Identify victims at highest risk of being killed by their intimate partner
Lethality assessment tools help advocates quickly identify victims at greatest risk of homicide so they can be connected to safety planning and services immediately.
Question 2: A child who witnesses domestic violence is considered under Illinois law to be:
- A secondary victim who does not need intervention
- A direct victim of abuse (Correct answer)
- Only affected if physically injured themselves
- A witness whose testimony is required for prosecution
Correct answer: A direct victim of abuse
Illinois law and ICDVP standards recognize children who witness domestic violence as direct victims experiencing abuse and trauma.
Question 3: Which tactic involves the abuser using children as pawns, such as threatening to take them away or using parenting time to maintain contact with the victim?
- Physical abuse
- Using children (Correct answer)
- Minimizing and denying
- Using male privilege
Correct answer: Using children
In the Power and Control Wheel, 'using children' describes tactics where an abuser manipulates children or custody arrangements to control the victim.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of spiritual or religious abuse in a domestic violence context?
- Preventing the victim from attending church
- Using religious texts to justify the abuse and demand submission (Correct answer)
- Criticizing the victim's faith privately
- Encouraging the victim to pray more
Correct answer: Using religious texts to justify the abuse and demand submission
Religious abuse involves weaponizing faith or scripture to justify violence, demand submission, or prevent the victim from seeking outside help.
Question 5: Strangulation in intimate partner violence is considered particularly dangerous because:
- It always leaves visible marks
- It is a strong predictor of future lethal violence and can cause delayed internal injuries (Correct answer)
- It only affects the victim if unconsciousness occurs
- It is rare compared to other forms of physical abuse
Correct answer: It is a strong predictor of future lethal violence and can cause delayed internal injuries
Strangulation significantly increases homicide risk and can cause life-threatening internal injuries that may not appear immediately, making medical evaluation critical.
Question 6: Which model explains why abusers use violence as a deliberate tactic to maintain power and control rather than as a loss of control?
- Attachment theory
- The Duluth Model (Correct answer)
- Social learning theory
- Cognitive behavioral theory
Correct answer: The Duluth Model
The Duluth Model frames domestic violence as intentional behavior used by abusers to gain and maintain dominance over their partners.
Question 7: Post-separation violence refers to:
- Abuse that only begins after divorce is finalized
- An increase or continuation of abuse after the victim leaves the relationship (Correct answer)
- Violence between former partners who have no children together
- Legal harassment filed by the victim after leaving
Correct answer: An increase or continuation of abuse after the victim leaves the relationship
Post-separation violence occurs when an abuser escalates tactics after the victim leaves, as separation threatens the abuser's control.
ICDVP Dynamics of Domestic Violence 3
The lethality assessment tool used most widely by domestic violence advocates in Illinois is designed to: