John Gottman studied domestic abusers as they argued with their wives to see whether the man’s heart rate changed during the argument. The men fell into two distinct types: Cobras (25%) and Pitbulls (75%). At certain critical moments of conflict interaction, Cobras' heart rates decrease, whereas Pitbulls' increase. In the couples Gottman studied, women… Continue reading Cobras and Pitbulls
With the introduction of laws which recognise coercive control and mental cruelty, it is time for the broader women’s movement to take a new position when working with clients who are living with or in contact with male intimate abusers. In taking a new position we must be fully informed about the problem. We must… Continue reading From Support to Protection — by Don Hennessy. We Need to Protect the Target Woman and Sanction her Abuser