Police officers responding to domestic disputes are in a difficult situation. They may have to deal with people who are under the influence and highly emotional. They often find that the parties embroiled in the dispute are not cooperative, especially if the initial report came from other concerned individuals.
As such, police officers responding to domestic violence calls have to make judgment calls. Based on statements that the parties make, details that the officers witness and even the presence of injuries, they decide who is likely at fault. They can remove or even arrest one of the people present. Sometimes, police officers misinterpret the situation. What they assume is a clear-cut case of domestic violence might actually involve reactive abuse.
What is reactive abuse?
Some people like to claim that domestic violence can come from both parties. They make this assertion because those who have endured physical violence, intimidation and verbal degradation sometimes become quite aggressive. They lash out at the other party, seemingly with minimal provocation.
Reactive abuse is what happens when someone who has long endured mistreatment loses their temper and responds aggressively to the conduct of another person. Reactive abuse is a response to protracted trauma and mistreatment.
While it may look like domestic violence to those who don’t have the full story, it is just a symptom of the abuse that the alleged perpetrator has long experienced. Other times, what looks like domestic violence could actually simply be self-defense.
Those trying to respond to domestic violence charges may need help reframing the situation, and that’s okay. Challenging the state’s narrative can help people avoid criminal convictions.
