On the occasion of the Day Against Gender Violence, Dr. María Elvira Vague Cardona, specialist in Psychology of gender violence in Valencia and member of Top Doctors, explains what is the profile of the abuser and how the victim experiences the aggressions suffered.
According to a study carried out by the Gottman research group in 1995, the types of abusers are divided into two according to their cardiac reaction to an argument. The first of these refers to those classified as “cobra”. The heart rate of these abusers decreases after an argument with their partner, and they are violent and aggressive with all types of people; friends, strangers, work colleagues, etc. They also present antisocial characteristics, and have a high level of violence. In addition, they present antisocial, aggressive-sadistic characteristics and a predisposition to drug dependence. The second type are those called “pit bulls”, in which their heart rate increases in the discussion and they present borderline personality disorders, with passive-aggressive characteristics, chronic anger and emotionally dependent.
On the other hand, Chase, O’Leary and Heyman in 2001 also classified aggressors as proactive and reactive. The former hit impulsively after feeling rejected or jealous. The latter strike in a cold and calculated manner, their heart rate dropping as their rage increases.
How to detect a case of abuse
Gender-based violence has important consequences for the health of women and their children. The WHO identified gender violence as an essential factor in the deterioration of women and the injuries resulting from this type of violence could become psychologically irreparable.
The consequences that gender-based violence can have on women’s health can be several. Among them, death. Physical consequences include fractures, contusions, bruises, hematomas, etc. In addition to psychological consequences such as isolation, depression, sadness or anxiety. And even suffering the Stockholm Syndrome, the dependence on the aggressor.
Psychological violence is the most prevalent among the types of aggression that a woman can suffer and at the same time is the most difficult to detect both by the victim herself and to be recognized by specialists in psychology. In this case, the most important weapon a woman victim of abuse, both physical and psychological, has is to tell and report it.
Post-traumatic treatment
Victims of gender-based violence suffer great post-traumatic stress, since the event takes place in a safe environment such as their own home, an elevator or at work and they are more exposed to having to resume their lives in the same scenario of the attack, with the fear of having to experience it again.
After-effects of children who live close to situations of gender-based violence
According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality there are 44 cases of women murdered in 2017 and 23 minors orphaned by gender violence. Children are the invisible victims of this type of violence, as they are also exposed to situations of abuse.
The children of an abuser grow up immersed in fear. They are candidates for the diagnosis of a whole range of traumatic stress disorders, depressions due to hopelessness or possible personality disorders. Even without having received a single blow, without “direct” mistreatment.
Measures against gender violence
The commitment of public administrations is important and, above all, to be in constant contact with the government. Only in this way can there be coordination and joint action in all areas: health, judicial, police, educational and social.
Unfortunately, gender violence is currently considered a problem exclusive to the private sphere by a large part of the population. This social tolerance continues to minimize or make the problem invisible at times. The Government is trying to combat this belief in its latest campaign against Gender Violence: “When there is abuse in a couple, it is not just a couple thing”.
For all these reasons, November 25 is an essential day to join forces and achieve an egalitarian society free of violence against women.