The conference is divided into 4 invited lectures and 6 parallel sessions held throughout the two days, where posters, individual and panel presentations are given. In this respect it is no different to most of the large conferences we attend – the usual suspects are present: bad coffee and endless powerpoint presentations. But in many ways it is also very different – I hope to capture this in the commentary.
It was disappointing for everyone that Jeffrey Edleson was not able to make the conference due to poor weather. His keynote address in the morning was due to focus on directions for program development and evaluation around the subject of parenting by men who batter their intimate partners. It was made up for in part however by a stimulating session where researchers from Duke University presented some sophisticated analyses around the mechanisms underling the continuity and discontinuity of violence between generations. The data from their studies suggest that policy and practice implications should be focused on social support mechanisms, carer depressive symptomatology and carer’s social cognition (or internal representations related to their use of violence).
I attend perhaps the most controversial of panels at the conference: a series of papers exploring the mutual perpetration of violence, and victimization of men and women by their intimate partners and its underlying correlates. It is not an understatement to say that such presentations would have labelled you a heretic in recent time but a handful of researchers at New Hampshire University in the US and the University of Central Lancashire in the UK are shifting established mindsets through evidence-based discussion. The papers indicate that many of the traits associated with aggression and violence in intimate relationships (dominance and control) are to be found in both men and women. The authors suggest that the dominant intervention model for domestic violence (The Duluth model [1]) needs to be dismantled and other options for intervention and services considered. In addition, there are important overlaps within the family between partner and parent-child relationships that are often ignored in a focus on violent men.
This latter finding echoes my own work. I contribute in the afternoon, alongside Sherry Hamby, on epidemiological data gathered from Dublin-wide survey that demonstrates the importance of examining both the inter-parental and parent-child relationship in understanding children’s responses to family conflict and violence. Sherry’s presentation on a measure of poly-victimisation attracts some criticism from practitioners in the audience who feel she under-estimates the extent to which childcare professionals currently assess the wide spectrum of children’s experiences. Edward Chan (from Hong Kong) presents on data from his country that reiterate findings from my own research about considering the constellations of family violence that children may be experiencing.
An evening reception is held at the home of Murray Straus and his wife Dorothy. It is an unusual affair (not many conference organisers invite delegates into their home!) but is exactly the right environment for creating a community amongst the researchers here and serves to unite people with common goals and interests. The eco-friendly house with a grass-covered roof makes you feel like you have just walked onto the set of the Lord of the Rings. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed and you get the sense that this is where many collaborations, ideas for projects and professional friendships are forged. A most enjoyable evening and I forge a few potential collaborations of my own!
Links:
[1] http://www.duluth-model.org/