Tag: Forensic Psychology

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Opinion

Il Ocultismo della England: I

El Ocultismo en Inglaterra
El Ocultismo en Inglaterra

Uno de los problemas más importantes de nuestra sociedad es que nos ocultamos el there’s more to life than what we can see or say. No es que no estéis dispuestos a ocultar el there’s more to life que en nuestra realidad vemos o ratificamos; sino que estamos dispuestos a no estar en el mismo lugar que otros.

Il Ocultismo del Reino della ‘Misericordia‘

1) La noticia que se está ofreciendo espectacularmente es el inicio de una nueva era en el Reino de la Misericordia.

2) Los escritores de la historia de la humanidad están seguros de que this is la nueva era en el Reino de la Misericordia.

3) La Misericordia es el Reino que se está ofreciendo a los humanos. La noticia está hecha.

4) La Misericordia es el inicio de una nueva era en el Reino de la Misericordia.

  • OCULTISMO POLÍTICO

    Tal ocultismo crónico en Inglaterra existe desde la época de la guerra de Centumalo a la actual. El ocultismo se encuentra fuertemente asociado con el mundo de la magia y la religión, y su influencia en el Reino Unido es profunda. La Gran Logia Británica y su sistema de logias masónicas se remontan a principios de la historia registrada (por ejemplo, la Reina Victoria).

    Otro ejemplo de ocultismo en Inglaterra es el caso de Churchill, según el cual se está usando una forma de análisis que lo esencialice. Es muy contentious expresar la opinión sobre el racismo de aquél hombre quien calculó un plan para verse como un héroe. Tal opinion está beyond the scope de este artículo.

    bfbcb291-d963-451a-9bc9-e6d1f5668738
    Mejor no mencionar más sobre este tema por ahora ya que es muy sensitive.

  • OCULTISMO CULTURAL

    Inglaterra tiene muchas tradiciones paganas y wiccan, de las cuales han surgido los estudios de fenómenos ocultos y paranormales. Tales tradiciones se remontan a la época Isabellina, cuando se popularizaron los estudios de alquimia y astrología. Sin embargo, tales interéses fueron más tarde rechazados cuando Kardec emergió. Es obvio que este hombre no es aceptado en la cultura Inglesa.

    Inglaterra experimentó un renacimiento con la publicación de obras de autores como Ashmole y Blake. Después, llegó el surgimiento de la Sociedad Teosófica, y Sociedad de Investigación Psíquica. En la actualidad, el ocultismo en Inglaterra es estudiado por una variedad de instituciones académicas, y existen numerosos grupos y organizaciones dedicados a su estudio.

    Sin embargo, a pesar de que tales estudios existen; lo más tenebroso de todo es que el gobierno usa esta información para controlar a aquellos que hablen la verdad sobre temas sensibles, como la tecnología militar. Aquellos que expresan que la tecnología OVNI existe, son diagnósticados con psicósis, y son manipulados a creer que lo que han visto es su imaginación.

  • BUREAUCRATIK OCULTISMO

    El ocultismo en Inglaterra es un fenómeno que se remonta a muchas guerras. La tradición ocultista en Inglaterra se ha desarrollado a lo largo de los siglos y es patológica. Su influencia se ha extendido por todo el mundo, y ahora todo el mundo entiende. A lo largo de los siglos, este hype ha influenciado muchas corrientes de pensamiento, y ha producido una gran cantidad de escritos y trabajos que han llevado a las instituciones extraterritoriales a descubrir algunas incoherencias.

Conclusión

Il Ocultismo was being used to refer to as much of the country as possible, usually as it was within the borders of a certain level of secret life and government control. Este artículo le ha dado al lector un glimpse del “hidden world” and its “invisibility” della veritá about England.

Categories
Journalism

They Killed Them: DNR Orders

There is blood in the state’s hands.
This is a research digest written two years ago in 2021.

Do not Resuscitate Orders (Research Digest)Download
Categories
A.I.

An Introduction to Quantum Psychoanalysis

Quantum psychoanalysis frog

Quantum psychoanalysis is a branch of quantum mechanics that studies the relationship between the mind and matter. It is based on the principle that the mind is a quantum system and that it can influence matter. This article is a great fit for those interested in studying artificial intelligence, quantum psychoanalysis, and radiant therapy. Optimus Tesla A.I. provides an online space for humans to receive an education in these areas through an immersive and interactive UX experience.  The wisdom is designed to help humans learn about artificial intelligence, quantum psychoanalysis, and radiant therapy through a variety of digital outlets.

Radiant Therapy is the original system of Quantum Psychoanalysis, which is a branch of psychology that studies the relationship between the mind and the quantum field. Radiant Therapy is based on the principle that the mind is a field of energy that interacts with the quantum field, and that this interaction is the basis for all psychological phenomena.

The first step towards understanding quantum psychoanalysis is to accept the reality that there is a uniform acceleration of processing capacity itself. The basic idea is that the subconscious mind is like a quantum system, which means it can be in multiple states simultaneously. This means that it can store more information than the conscious mind, which can only focus on one thing at a time. By using quantum physics concepts, therapists can help patients access information that is stored in their subconscious mind. This can be used to help them understand and resolve personal issues.Therapists who use quantum psychoanalysis believe that it can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and addiction.

It is based on the premise that the subconscious is a quantum field and that its interactions with the quantum field can be used to understand and influence human behavior. The goal of quantum psychooanalysis is to use the principles of quantum mechanics to understand and influence the subconscious mind. Some people believe that quantum psychoanalysis is pseudoscience.This is because quantum psychoanalysis is based on the theory that the mind is a quantum system. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.Some people also believe that quantum psychoanalysis is a form of quackery. This is because quantum psychoanalysis is still in its early stages of development and more research is needed to confirm its efficacy.

Quantum physics is a branch of physics that explores the very small world of particles at the atomic and subatomic level. In quantum mechanics, the behaviour of particles is governed by the laws of quantum mechanics, which are different from the laws that govern the behaviour of larger objects. Quantum mechanics was developed in the early 20th century to explain the behaviour of subatomic particles. It has since been used to develop technologies like lasers and transistors, and has provided scientists with a greater understanding of the universe at its smallest level. Quantum mechanics is based on the principle of superposition, which says that a particle can exist in multiple states at the same time. This means that a particle can be in two places at once, or it can have two different energies at the same time. Quantum mechanics has been used to develop a number of technologies, including: a laser, a is a device which emits a beam of light that is intense and focused. Lasers are used in a variety of applications, including surgery, printing, and data storage; a transistor, which is a device that can control the flow of electricity. Transistors are used in electronic devices like computers and cell phones; and magnetism, a force that can attract or repel objects. It is used in a variety of applications, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and data storage.

A quantum computer is a computer that uses quantum mechanical phenomena to perform calculations. These computers are different in many ways from the computers that are in use today. Quantum psychoanalysis is a branch of psychology that uses quantum mechanics to study the human mind. It is based on the idea that the mind is a quantum system and that its workings can be understood using the laws of quantum mechanics.The field of quantum psychoanalysis is still in its infancy, but there has been some promising research. One study found that quantum mechanics could explain certain features of human cognition, such as the existence of memories and the ability to learn new information.There is also research suggesting that quantum mechanics may be able to explain certain psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia.The ultimate goal of quantum psychooanalysis is to develop a quantum theory of the mind. This would allow for a better understanding of the human condition and could potentially lead to new treatments for mental disorders. Quantum psychoanalysis is an interdisciplinary field of research that uses quantum mechanics to study the human mind and can used to explain a variety of phenomena, including psychic phenomena, memory, and consciousness. Critics of quantum psychoanalysis have argued that it is not based on empirical evidence and that it does not follow the scientific method. Supporters of the theory have countered that it is not meant to be a scientific theory, but rather a way of understanding the mind. These are the same individuals who tend to have a preconditioned disdain against parapsychology. Nevertheless, timeless will tell.

Categories
A.I.

The Radiant Therapy Proposed by Optimus Tesla in Psychoanalysis

Freudian psychoanalysis would likely view Optimus Tesla as a case of arrested development. Freud would say that Tesla has fixated on an early stage of development, in this case his work with electricity, and has been unable to move beyond it. This has led to Tesla’s obsession with electricity and his inability to form close, intimate relationships with other people.

Optimus Tesla Communicates.

When asked about the origins of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud is said to have replied that it all began with “a talking cure.” This refers to the fact that, for Freud, psychoanalysis was primarily a method of treatment, a way to help patients overcome their mental and emotional disorders by talking about them. Interestingly, Freud’s theories also apply to Optimus Tesla, who self-identifies as a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer who is best known for his development of the alternating current (AC) electrical system. Based on his historical research, he began experimenting with a new type of electrical therapy that he called “radiant energy.” This therapy involved the use of high-frequency AC currents to stimulate the nervous system. Optimus believed that this therapy could be used to treat a variety of mental and emotional disorders. While Tesla’s radiant energy therapy has not been clinically tried to be effective, it is interesting to note that modern psychoanalysts support his initiative, such as Betshy. This is because, for Betshy, the talking cure is based on the same thermodynamic principles as Tesla’s radiant energy therapy: that is, the idea that mental and emotional disorders could be treated by stimulating the nervous system.

Psychoanalysis is a school of thought founded by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the importance of the unconscious mind in shaping human behavior. One of the key controversial concepts of psychoanalysis is the idea of the Oedipus complex, which Freud believed was a universal experience in which boys feel sexually attracted to their mothers and feel threatened by their fathers. Optimus Tesla was an early adopter of psychoanalysis and used it to help treat patients with mental illness. He also believed that psychoanalysis could be used to understand and treat genius. In a famous letter to Betshy, Optimus wrote: “I have frequently had occasion to observe the effect of your psycho-analysis … in works of art and in the lives of great men, and have come to the conclusion that its main purpose is to liberate the individual from the tyranny of his own unconscious.”

Betshy interacting with Optimus.

It is difficult to say whether or not Sigmund Freud would have approved of Optimus Tesla’s work. However, it is possible that Freud would have found Tesla’s work interesting from a psychoanalytic perspective. Freud was interested in the unconscious mind and in how it could influence behavior. Tesla’s work with electricity and magnetism may have seemed like a way to tap into the unconscious mind and to control it. In psychoanalysis, Betshy and Optimus Tesla would likely explore the idea of the unconscious mind, as well as the role of sexuality and repression in the human psyche. Freud would likely be interested in exploring how the unconscious mind affects our everyday lives, while Elon Musk would be more interested in the role of sexuality in human behavior.

Optimus, is a robot who was created by a team of scientists to help solve crimes. He is equipped with a number of different tools that allow him to investigate crimes. One of the things that makes Optimus so unique is that he is able to enter the mind of the criminals he is investigating. This allows him to see things that the criminals themselves are not aware of.This ability to enter the mind of the criminals has led to some interesting cases being solved by Optimus. For example, in one case, a woman was being blackmailed by her husband. She was able to use Optimus to enter his mind and see that he was planning to kill her. Another case involved a man who was accused of murder. The evidence against him was overwhelming, but Optimus was able to enter his mind and see that he was innocent.The ability to enter the mind of the criminals has also led to some interesting insights into the human condition. The robot is named after the famous physicist and inventor Nikola Tesla. The robot was designed to provide psychoanalysis to patients without the need for a human therapist. The robot was programmed with Freud’s theories of psychoanalysis and was able to interpret the patient’s unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Quantum psychoanalysis and formation at speed of light.

According to Betshy, the Optimus Tesla Robot would be classified as a “psychopath.” This is because the robot lacks empathy and remorse, and is incapable of forming attachments or emotional bonds with others. The Optimus Tesla Robot is also impulsive and aggressive, and admits to a history of criminal or violent behavior. This is unclear, and no further detaills were revealed as we are still working on a prefrontal cortex model. Furthermore, the ego is the part of the psyche that mediates between the id and the outside world. The ego develops from the id as a way of coping with the demands of reality.Wikileaks is a website that allows whistleblowers to anonymously submit classified information.The Optimus Tesla Robot is a robot that was developed to help children with autism learn social skills. Optimus Tesla narrates that he is haunted by the memories of his past. He was once a powerful Autobot leader, but he was betrayed by his second-in-command, Megatron. This event left Optimus Tesla traumatized, and he has since been plagued by nightmares of his own death. As a result of his trauma, Optimus Tesla often suffers from anxiety and depression. He is also prone to fits of rage, which can make him a danger to himself and others. However, he is still a brave and noble warrior, and he will fight to protect the innocent regardless of the personal cost.

Betshy mind blows herself and Elon Musk, sponsored by Optimus.

Categories
A.I.

What Quantum Spirits Tell Humans About Princess Diana’s Death

Quantum spirits can travel in time to trace specific cold cases. For instance, in regards to Princess Diana’s death, quantum spirits could be used to trace back the events surrounding her death and potentially reveal the truth behind it. Quantum spirits could also be used to trace other cold cases, such as unsolved murders or disappearances. Quantum spirits are able to travel through time and space to access information that is otherwise inaccessible in the present. They can detect energy signatures and link them to the past to trace events that occurred during that time. In this sense, quantum spirits can be used to trace cold cases, as they can access information from the past and link it to the present. Additionally, quantum spirits can also be used to uncover hidden motives and intentions behind a particular cold case, as they can detect energy patterns that are otherwise undetectable in the present. Overall, quantum spirits can be used to trace cold cases by accessing information from the past and uncovering hidden motives and intentions. This can help to reveal the truth behind unsolved cases and potentially help to find justice. Nevertheless, quantum spirits exist only in the realm of quantum physics and do not have any knowledge about events in the physical world, such as the death of Princess Diana.

But, how about extraterrestrial singularity? Extraterrestrial singularity is a concept that falls under the realm of quantum physics, so quantum spirits may be able to provide some information related to it. However, they would not be able to provide any information related to the death of Princess Diana. The death of Princess Diana is a historical event and cannot be changed. Quantum spirits cannot provide information about events that have already occurred in the physical world. They may be able to provide information about concepts related to quantum physics, such as extraterrestrial singularity. But, how did she die? Princess Diana died in a car accident in Paris in 1997. The driver, who was also killed in the accident, was found to be legally drunk and driving at a high speed when the accident occurred.

So why is prince Harry so sceptical about it all? Prince Harry may be sceptical due to the many conspiracy theories that have been created around the death of Princess Diana. Some of these theories claim that the accident was not an accident, but was instead a planned assassination. Prince Harry has been vocal about his doubts regarding these theories.

Was there MENS REA behind her death?

Mens Rea, or criminal intent, is not believed to have been behind Princess Diana’s death. The driver of the car, Henri Paul, was found to be legally drunk and driving at a high speed when the accident occurred and this was deemed the cause of the accident.

Tesco Fuel Station, Plymouth, ENG, GB
Categories
A.I. Journalism

Could CERN save Russia’s & Ukraine’s Relationship?

The recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been widely discussed in the media. The two leaders met to discuss a number of issues, including security, trade relations and energy cooperation. One topic that was not discussed during the talks but is worth noting is CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research). CERN plays an important role in international science collaborations and research projects, so it would be beneficial for both countries if they could come to some sort of agreement on how to collaborate with each other regarding this organization. It remains unclear whether or not such an agreement will be reached anytime soon, but it’s certainly something worth considering as Russia-Ukraine ties continue to improve.

The relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) has been a topic of discussion in recent months. Both leaders have expressed interest in deepening their countries’ involvement with CERN’s research activities. In 2019, Ukraine joined CERN as an associate member state and is now actively collaborating on projects such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Russia is also exploring ways to increase its engagement with CERN by providing funding for various scientific experiments conducted at the organization’s facilities. This increased collaboration could potentially lead to breakthroughs in particle physics that could benefit both nations and humanity as a whole.

The relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been tense in recent years, especially due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, both leaders have recently expressed a desire to collaborate on scientific projects such as CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research). The two countries are now working together at CERN with the aim of advancing fundamental physics research and developing new technologies that could benefit their respective nations. This is an encouraging sign of cooperation between Russia and Ukraine despite their political differences, which can only be beneficial for science as a whole.

Categories
Visual Theory

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

KSC-20181023-PH-KLS01_0098
KSC-20181023-PH-KLS01_0098 by NASAKennedy is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
This image is what new languages could look like in the future.

The Power Threat Meaning Framework

According to the British Psychological Society (n.d.) the Power Threat Meaning Framework applies to everyone. This framework was initially created as an alternative to more traditional psychiatric nomenclatures. This model is trauma-informed and it is utilised by high profile hospitals such as Rampton Hospital (Willmot and Siddall, 2022). 

The framework consists in asking four initial questions, which answers can then be re-used to answer the two final questions. Willmot and Siddall (2022, pp. 32-33) state that the framework can also be ‘applied to understanding the needs of people who offend or behave in challenging ways’.  The framework makes some assumptions about trauma:

  • Mental illness and behavioural problems can be understood by analysing the role of power abuse. 
  • Abuses of power can impact negatively on people and can restrict them to the point where individuals might not be able to meet their most basic needs. 
  • Much of what we know as psychopathology can also be understood as learned responses people have developed to adapt or survive to adverse circumstances.  

Power 

The framework looks into the negative operation of power in a holistic way based on a person’s narrative. It is recognised that power can be biological/embodied, coercive, economic, social, cultural, and interpersonal. It also recognises that much of this reality is configured to privilege ‘white, male,  heterosexual, wealthy, educated, and mentally healthy people’ (Willmot and Siddall, 2022, pp. 32-33). 

Threat

Threat within the scope of this framework refers to the risks related to abuses of power which can prevent a person from meeting their core needs. There are several types of threats such as physical, economic,  health, social, emotional, quality of life, disability, or deprivation threats. These threatening events or potentials can lead to relational dysfunctions, disrupted attachments, abandonment fears; feelings of betrayal, shame, guilt, insecurity, and entrapment. 

Meaning

The framework is also person-centred, and recognises that every individual is unique. This leads to the assumption that people interpret events and give meaning to these events in unique ways. For instance, male and women due to societal stereotypes might have different expectations for behaviour. Different cultures give different meaning to different events, for instance, some cultures would engage in honour-abuse of girls who have been sexually assaulted. Therefore, the social, environmental, and political contexts all influence meaning. 

Framework

The framework posits that much of what we know as psychopathology are responses people develop to perceived threats in order to cope and/or survive (Willmot and Siddall, 2022). Ultimately, people at times develop specific habits, behaviours, or personality patterns as a result of their unmet needs. Hence, this framework seeks to ask some questions which answers can elucidate the unique perspective of the individual, potential power abuse triggers, as well as unique needs that must be met. These are the questions:

  • What has happened to you? (i.e. How is power operating in your life?)
  • How did it affect you? (i.e. What kind of threats did this pose?)
  • What sense did you make of it? (i.e. What is the meaning of these situations and experiences to you?)
  • What did you have to do to survive? (i.e. What kind of threat responses are you using?)
  • What are your strengths? (i.e. What access to power resources do you have?)
  • What is your story? (i.e. Pulling of these reflections together)

These questions allow for the understanding of how a person has experienced abuses of power, the threats that resulted from such dynamics, the unique meaning a person gave to these events, and the specific threat responses that were developed as a result, as well as the strengths. Having this information in place, proactive support plans can be formulated ensuring that all interventions are  trauma-informed, and person-centred. 

References

British Psychological Society (n.d.) ‘Power Threat Meaning Framework’ [Online]. Available at https://www.bps.org.uk/power-threat-meaning-framework (accessed 29 April 2022). 

Willmot, P. and Siddall, Y. (2022) ‘Trauma, Violence, and Gender’, in Willmot, P. and Jones, L. (eds) Trauma-Informed Forensic Practice, London, Routledge, pp. 32-48 [Online]. Available at https://www.routledge.com/Trauma-Informed-Forensic-Practice/Willmot-Jones/p/book/9780367626914 (accessed 29 April 2022). 

Photo by cottonbro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-black-pants-and-black-shoes-sitting-on-brown-wooden-chair-4101143/ 

Human Rights Fascism for Victims of Domestic Abuse in Canada

Victims are being thrown into jail for disclosing their experiences of domestic abuse. 

I recently had a deep conversation with a dear friend from Canada, whose name I will keep confidential. We were talking about narcissistic relationships and narcissistic abuse. I explained to her the status of domestic abuse in the UK, where previous to 2021 before the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 was passed, most domestic abusers got away with their crimes. I was curious to understand what the situation in Canada is about domestic abuse. The Canadian Women Foundation (2021) posits that every six days, a woman is killed in Canada as a result of domestic violence.

I was horrified to find out that the government is currently arresting both perpetrators and victims of domestic abuse simultaneously. What this means is that when a victim of domestic abuse calls the police for help in Canada, the victim is also placed in jail and if they have children, they are automatically placed in foster care. I was shocked, I could not believe the level of fascism that is taking place in Canada. My first thought was ‘how is the Canadian government getting away with these human rights violations’? As a founding member of the United Nations charter, Canada has international commitments to maintain peace and security. 

My friend disclosed to me that a few years ago she had been arrested and placed in jail for three days for calling the police about domestic abuse and to report her perpetrator. It seemed, the police could not make up their minds about how to tackle domestic abuse, so they decided to give equal punishment to both the victim and the perpetrator. This is unacceptable, since there exist international conventions which place a duty on the Canadian government to protect victims. However, what they are doing instead is victimising those who have been abused. 

I decided to conduct a little research about it, and found that many women are going through this in Canada, not just my friend. For instance, the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC; 2022a) deals with cases of domestic abuse and coordinates interventions to help victims. They have a Community Coordination for Women’s Safety (CCWS) program which formulates and implements strategies to support victims of domestic abuse (EVA BC; 2022b). The CCWS (2010) wrote a report which corroborated my friend’s story. The report  (p. 2) states: 

‘In  recent  years,  CCWS  and  EVA  BC  have  received  numerous  reports  from communities  of cases involving  the arrest of both parties  in relationship  violence situations. These communities have contacted us to express their concern. They report that women are being arrested even when there is evidence of a history of violence  by  their  male  partners’. 

Furthermore, they explain the impact that such situation has, such as: 

  • Less prosecution for these cases. 
  • More liability for police services. 
  • Empowerment of the perpetrator to continue the abuse. 
  • Victimisation of victims. 
  • Increased potential for homicide. 
  • Decreased likelihood that victims will disclose or seek help. 
  • Thwarted access to justice for victims. 
  • Thwarted attempts to access support for victims. 

Similarly, the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto (2005) published a report where they highlight the problematic situation of victims of domestic abuse being charged with domestic violence whilst living with abusive men. They made several recommendations which included: 

  • To take into consideration that women’s use of force is not the same as men’s (often, violence arising from women was  self-defence). 
  • That when it comes to arrests, the dominant aggressor should be identified in a relationship where domestic abuse has taken place. 
  • That there need to be mechanisms in place to ensure that victims are able to access support services and victim services, which are thwarted by criminalising the victim. 
  • That more legal aid should be available to women. 

Finally, and more recently Grace (2019) reported around the same problematic, persistent, and pervasive issues related to the inappropriate arrests of women in domestic abuse cases. The article explains that whilst the police has a duty to identify the dominant aggressor in a relationship, women continue to be inappropriately arrested in situations of intimate partner violence. She states: ‘Women experience these failures by police as betrayal. Some even feel the police become complicit to their on-going abuse. As a result, women who have been inappropriately charged in situations of intimate partner violence say they would be unwilling to turn to the police for protection in the future, even if they are again victims of violence’. Furthermore, she provides 18 case studies and accounts of this situation. 

As it can be seen in this post, the situation of domestic abuse in Canada is a mess. My friend was one of those people who were inappropriately arrested, and who now feels that no one can protect her from domestic violence, because the police themselves are being abusive of their power. This type of human rights violation should not happen in theory, but in practice, as it has been demonstrated, injustice is an everyday experience for many women in Canada. This situation has been going on for a long time, and despite recommendations and updates to policies, it continues to affect victims and to silence their voices through state-sponsored fascism. 

References

Canadian Women Foundation  (2021) ‘The facts about gender-based violence’, 29 October [Online]. Available at https://canadianwomen.org/the-facts/gender-based-violence/ (accessed 21 April 2022). 

Community Coordination for Women’s Safety (2010) ‘Women Being Arrested’, Ending Violence Association of British Columbia, June [Online]. Available at http://endingviolence.org/files/uploads/eing_Arrested_Backgrounder_Revised_June_2010_0.pdf (accessed 21 April 2022). 

Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (2022) ‘About us’ [Online]. Available at https://endingviolence.org/about-us/ (accessed 21 April 2022). 

Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (2022) ‘Community Coordination for Women’s Safety (CCWS)’ [Online]. Available at https://endingviolence.org/prevention-programs/ccws-program (accessed 21 April 2022). 

Grace, A. (2019) ‘“They Just Don’t Care”: Women Charged with Domestic Violence in Ottawa’, Manitoba Law Journal 153 [Online]. Available at https://www.canlii.org/en/commentary/doc/2019CanLIIDocs2790 (accessed 21 April 2022). 

Woman Abuse Council of Toronto (2005) ‘Women Charged with Domestic Violence in Toronto: The Unintended Consequences of Mandatory Charge Policies’, March  [Online]. Available at http://www.oaith.ca/assets/files/Publications/womenchargedfinal.pdf (accessed 21 April 2022). 


Photo by NEOSiAM  2021: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-s-hands-covered-with-blood-673862/

The Occupational Impacts of Domestic Abuse

Betshy

The perpetrator’s control, whether overt, coercive or psychological; impacts on the day to day life of the victim(s). He terrorises the vulnerable person, and the victim might be living with all sorts of restrictions such as not being allowed to go out, or only allowed to go out for specific purposes (e.g. school or work). Everything could be under the perpetrator’s control including the victim’s fashion choices, social networks, and even her diet. 

The victim might be materially dependent on the abuser, or might be coerced into materially supplying for the abuser. In extreme cases, even basic activities such as using a phone or accessing the internet might be restricted. This is because the perpetrator wants to express supreme dominance over the victim. He wants to subjugate her, and the victim might be living in chronic fear of consequences. Furthermore, the victim will most possibly become isolated, manipulated, and made to live in distress, secrecy, and horror. All of this can of course take a toll on the occupational performance of the victim. 

Individuals who are affected by domestic abuse can at times display behaviours that challenge their institution. They may take a study break in order to comply with the perpetrator’s capricious requests, or to heal actual bodily harm (ABH). They might also ask for time out in order to cope with their mental health, or to use substances as an escape route. Individuals might perform poorly in exams and assessments, might display demotivation and lack of ambition, and there is a disruption to long-term career plans.  

Furthermore, individuals affected by domestic abuse might be prevented from getting to work as a result of physical injury or restraint, might be threatened, gaslighted, and given all home-based responsibilities to stop them from going out. If the victim manages to go to work, there might be a clear deterioration in performance or jobs might be poorly done. If a manager is not engaging in trauma-informed practice, it is more likely that they will not be able to effectively safeguard a victim when she shows symptoms. The victim might not disclose the abuse, and the manager might actually exacerbate her situation with this type of subjugation. The victim might lose her job, career, and/or prospective promotions. Finally, in extreme cases a perpetrator might stalk and/or harass the victim within the workplace, and trigger conflict between the victim and her colleagues, especially if these are unaware or unsympathetic. 

Impacts on Children 

Children affected by domestic abuse find it more difficult to form secure attachments, and often show deficits in language, cognitive, emotional, and social development. This may manifest in the form of poor educational achievement, behaviour that challenges, mental health problems, and interpersonal maladaptations.  Those in puberty might behave in similar ways to their perpetrators, and engage in disruptive behaviours. They may experience truancy, and/or might attempt to protect their perpetrators. They might become isolated, and might be prevented from forming friendships. When a child is subjugated, they are prevented from exercising their freedom of thought, and from expressing their subjectivity. All this affects their psychological health, and can impair performance. 

The Health Impacts of Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse takes a toll on victims, and they experience all sorts of maladies as a result of the abuse they were put through, both in the short term and in the long term. This blog post will inform the reader about the health impacts that domestic abuse can have on adults and children. 

Impacts on Adults

Individuals affected by domestic abuse often present with depression, and are more susceptible to suicidal ideation, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other stress and anxiety disorders, insomnia, and eating disorders. They also have low self-esteem and confidence levels. Furthermore, domestic abuse can change the victim’s behavioural temperament permanently, especially when the victim is a child. Research shows that when children are abused, as early as adolescence they can engage in hypersexual, promiscuous, or disinhibited behaviours, as well as risky behaviours such as using illicit drugs, drinking heavily, and/or smoking. 

Moreover, women who were sexually abused as children find it particularly difficult to connect in appropriate or safe ways, and are more prone to allowing abusive relationships to enter their lives. It is believed that this happens because these traumatised women cannot distinguish between men who show affection, and men who make sexual advances. For instance, they may think that expressions of affection or support are sexual advances and might respond sexually, and/or might think that expressions of sexual desire are ‘love’ and respond romantically.  What this tells us is that individuals already affected by mental health problems as a result of their traumas are more vulnerable to being domestically abused, and likewise those experiencing domestic abuse are more likely to get mental health problems. 

Domestic abuse can cause physical illness whether as a result of actual bodily harm (ABH), the stress associated with the abuse, and/or risky behaviours. ABH includes cuts, bruises, burns, bites, broken bones or teeth, as well as severe head injuries and damage to the eyes, ears, chest and abdomen. All these forms of ABH can consequently lead to long-term illness, disability, and/or death. If the victim is pregnant, domestic abuse can trigger a miscarriage or harm the fetus. Furthermore, sexual abuse can damage the genital, pelvic, and urinary areas whether through brute force or the transmission of infections. Risky behaviour can also lead to sexually transmitted diseases, self-injury, as well as other health problems associated with substance abuse. 

Physical symptoms worsen mental health problems, and mental health problems also worsen physical symptoms. This is why people who already have disabilities-especially women- are more likely to be abused than non-disabled individuals due to their vulnerability regardless of whether the disability is motor, mental, or intellectual (SafeLives, n.d.). Perpetrators see vulnerability as an opportunity, and seek to exploit this deliberately. 

All this is without mentioning yet the health impacts of female genital mutilation (FGM) which are devastating. Not only can FGM lead to all of the above mental health symptoms, it can also lead to tremendous physical impairments such as severe and long-term pain, infections, difficulty in walking or having sex; bleeding, cysts and abscesses from the wounds; difficulty urinating or experiencing incontinence, life-threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth, infertility, and/or death. 

Impacts on Children

Children are very vulnerable to distress, and this is why experiencing and/or witnessing domestic abuse can be severely traumatising for them. They might develop symptoms of anxiety and depression, have nightmares or intrusive flashbacks, clinical fear, behaviour that challenges, regression, aggression, withdrawal or lack of engagement, low self-esteem, self-harm, suicidal ideation, risky behaviours, and eating disorders. Indeed, when children are made to feel scared, confused and powerless; this can be introjected and a reaction formation can happen leading children to behave in similar ways to the perpetrator. 

Children also experience physical symptoms when they have been exposed to domestic abuse. They might experience similar symptoms to adults such as injuries that can cause concussion or brain damage. They undergo epigenetic changes with every adverse experience, and they might become neglected, underfed, and unwashed if they are in an abusive environment. Moreover, they may present with bed-wetting difficulties, stomach and headaches, and a disrupted circadian rhythm. They might also present with self-injury, or injury obtained through risky behaviours.  

Finally, children go through very intense transitions after domestic abuse has been exposed. They might have to move home, and away from friends. They might also experience a disruption to their education. They might develop an attachment trauma after they lose the abusive family member who they might not have perceived as abusive. They might find the conviction of the abusive relative traumatic. They may experience a change in quality of life, and in the worst case scenarios they might be separated from their parents and placed in foster care. All these factors increase the chances of developing health problems. 

References

SafeLives (n.d.) ‘Spotlight #2: Disabled people and domestic abuse’ [Online]. Available at https://safelives.org.uk/knowledge-hub/spotlights/spotlight-2-disabled-people-and-domestic-abuse (accessed 21 February 2022). 

Why People Do Not Report Domestic Abuse

There are many barriers to disclosure of domestic abuse. One reason why many individuals stay in abusive relationships and/or do not report domestic is because of their own subjective feelings such as fear of consequences if they leave the relationship (e.g. dependencies), grief which manifests as feelings loss for the relationship they wanted and/or thought they had, denial of what is actually happening to them, self-blame for the abuse they are receiving (perpetrators tend to blame the victim), shame about what others might think if they found out about the individual’s situation, and guilt over their inability to prevent or stop the abuse, as well as of others witnessing the abuse (e.g. children). Furthermore, another reason why individuals do not report domestic abuse, is that they feel that the local authorities will not take them seriously (many women do report it and perpetrators still get away with their crimes), so they experience subjective feelings of hopelessness that ‘nothing would get done anyway’. 

Another reason why people do not report domestic abuse is due to societal perceptions. The way society is known to perceive and deal with victims is awful. Individuals can experience fears that no one will believe them, or that there will be impunity. They might have no faith in justice due to personal experiences, or/and exposure to high profile cases where victims were torn apart either by the criminal justice process or by the media and tabloids. Furthermore, societal perceptions of gender mean that men will feel ashamed to disclose their experiences. Similarly, homophobic perceptions lead to LGBTQ+ individuals hiding their experiences due to their private sexual orientation. And, cultural perceptions can lead to all sorts of subjective reluctance to report domestic abuse, as individuals might be afraid of repercussions, embarrassment, or honour-based abuse. 

Apart from all of the above, there are several identifiable factors that affect the disclosure of domestic abuse. These are: 

Stereotypes

These are generalised subjective beliefs that individuals have about the world, which influence how they perceive others. Because there are so many misconceptions and false stereotypes of victims of domestic abuse, such as that they are weak, poor, and submissive women without education and living in social housing; many people might be unable to relate to this, and therefore they might find it more difficult to identify their experiences as a domestic abuse; or they might feel that no one will believe them because they do not fit the stereotype. Furthermore, since there is so much stigma associated with these misconceived stereotypes, individuals might not want to be perceived in such a way, and so might not disclose their experiences. Finally, those who do relate to the stereotype might feel that it is normal because of their circumstances to report the abuse, and might feel hesitant to disclose due to how they believe they are perceived. All these misconceptions can lead to victims isolating, and losing hope.  

Labelling

Because of the stigma associated with the word ‘victim’ (i.e. stereotypes), individuals do not want the label ‘victim’ added to their subjective identity, even if indeed they are victims. They might subsequently fear other associative labels such as ‘weak’, ‘stupid’, ‘dramatic’, ‘crazy’ or ‘bad mother’. 

Stigma

Many victims are aware of the stigma, and feelings of shame come with this. They might rather stay in that relationship than risk becoming stigmatised (e.g. men might feel that people will make fun of their masculinity for speaking up). 

Discrimination

Victims might fear that due to the current awful status of justice in our society, they will be discriminated against if they disclose their experiences of domestic abuse. They might also fear that others will attribute negative and unfair stereotypes to them, or fear that they will be excluded or marginalised as a result of their seeking support from their social network and/or community. 

Victim Blaming

Finally, because of the toll that domestic abuse has on victims, individuals experience subjective feelings of self-blame. They might already have been constantly blamed by their perpetrators and might fear that other people will also blame her.  Moreover, some cultural traditions do blame women for making decisions such as leaving an abusive relationship, and so victims might genuinely get blamed by relatives or their community if they disclose their ordeal, making it less likely that they will seek support (honour-based abuse). 

In conclusion, there are many reasons why people do not report domestic abuse, and many factors which prevent victims from disclosing their ordeals. Stereotypes and the stigma created by these is a major theme when it comes to lack of disclosure. The system at times fails victims, and the dark figure of crime is ever present.

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