The intimate space of violence: Type and duration of violent relationships

Abstract

This study focuses on violence against a known victim with whom the perpetrator had a familiar, intimate or superficial relationship. Three types of perpetrators (sex-offenders [SO] only, Intimate Partner Violence [IPV]-offenders only, and combined SO and IPV perpetrators) were involved. Results show that the longer the relationship, the stronger the contentiousness between partners. Contrary to expectations, sexual violence was more often perpetrated against a woman with whom the perpetrator had recently started a relationship, whereas in long-lasting relationships, if the sexual violence emerged, it represented an escalating gesture to humiliate the partner after a pathologically abusive relationship (combined violence). The difference in the types of violence against women calls for differential risk-assessment and interventions.