Cultic Studies Journal, Volume 17, 2000, Page 34
Socio-Political
For some, the dominant facet of domestic violence lies with stereotypical gender
arrangements that have been internalized in the relationship and the individuals (Goldner et
al., 1990).
Psychological Need
Earlier writers suggested that the constant violence stems from unmet dependency needs
on one or both partners (Rounsaville, 1978).
Psychological Conditioning
Other researchers have investigated the phenomenon of reinforcement theory and
intermittency of the abuse (Long &McNamara, 1989 Dutton &Painter, 1981), while some
have utilized the learned helplessness model (Walker, 1978).
The preceding are but a sample of the positions put forward to understand domestic
violence. Obviously these positions overlap to some degree. Grigsby and Hartman‘s (1997)
notion of ―barriers‖ is an interesting integrative model. These researchers say that barriers
impede a woman‘s safety and well being at the political, environmental and intrapsychic
levels.
While this paper leans toward the environmental and intrapsychic domains, I acknowledge
that any narrowing of focus on the intrapsychic at the expense of the socio-political domain
will pathologize the victim.
Domestic Violence as a Cultic System
Some of the parallels between domestic violence and cultic systems are set out in table 1.
For brevity‘s sake, I will expand only on two particular parallel themes that are pertinent to
therapy: a strictly controlled environment and the breaking of the sense of self.
The Environment is Strictly Controlled
Environmental control is a central tactic of an abusive male partner. He may isolate his
spouse from friends, family, and the wider community. He may dictate where his wife may
go, the length of time she may spend away from home, and the clothes she wears while
out. Often he will time her departures from home. Any deviance from the male‘s dictates
usually meets with more abuse. He may also escort her to again limit contact with others
outside the immediate home. Such monitoring prevents the woman from experiencing the
normal reality checks that would otherwise be available. The primary source of information
comes from the abusive partner. Thus, the abusive male not only creates an environment
that is conducive to behavior modification, but also creates the meaning of the situation.
This situation is very close to the ―child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome‖
experienced by abused children:
The child faced with continuing helpless victimization must learn to somehow
achieve a sense of power and control. The child cannot safely conceptualize
that a parent might be ruthless and self-serving such a conclusion is
tantamount to abandonment and annihilation. The only acceptable
alternative for the child is to believe that she has provided the painful
encounters and to hope that by learning to be good she can earn love and
acceptance” (Summit, 1983, p.184). [emphasis added]

Cultic Studies Journal, Volume 17, 2000, Page 35
Table 1: Domestic Violence and Cultic Abuse
Domestic Violence Cultic Abuse
Environmental Control
Perpetrators control who the woman sees,
talks to, what she reads and where she
goes limits outside involvement
Environmental Control
Cults control whom the individual is allowed
to see and associate with. Cults control
reading matter, living arrangements, and
lifestyle.
Economic Abuse
Perpetrators can prevent the woman from
getting a job, make her ask for money,
take her money, forbid access to family
income.
Economic Abuse
Cults often expect a large proportion of an
individual‘s income, including signing over
assets, getting money from family,
moneymaking activities.
Using Children
Perpetrators can use the children to make
the woman feel guilty, threaten harm to
children, alienate children from Mother.
Using Children
Cults can emotionally, spiritually and
physically abuse children. They can threaten
to harm children to control the parents.
Coercion &Threats
Perpetrators threaten to hurt and can use
guilt and fear and other emotional
manipulations to control the woman.
Coercion &Threats
Cults regularly use fear, guilt, and other
emotional manipulations to control members.
Minimizing/Blaming
Perpetrators refuse to take responsibility
for abusive behavior they say it is the
woman‘s fault or ignore or make light of
abuse.
Minimizing/Blaming
Cults make sure if something is wrong, it‘s
the individual‘s fault no critical thinking
about the group is allowed.
Powerlessness/Helplessness
Perpetrators ensure that the woman is
dependent on the male a learned
helplessness is established.
Powerlessness/Helplessness
Cults systematically create a sense of
powerlessness through a system of rewards
and punishments.
Attack on Self
The result of DV can be a shattered self a
―hollow shell‖: ―I no longer feel like a
person.‖
Attack on Self
Cults destabilize the sense of self, reinterpret
reality according to the group, and create a
cult identity.
Performance Orientated
―As long as you do what you‘re told, it‘ll be
ok‖. ―I‘ll try not to upset him tonight.‖
Performance Orientated
―Happiness‖ and commitment are measured
through performance measure up or suffer
the consequences.
Residual Effects
Many battered women exhibit symptoms
consistent with Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) (Walker 1993)
Residual Effects
One of the most common psychiatric
disorders experienced by ex-cult members is
PTSD (Giambalvo 1993)
A central technique common to cults is the systematic severing of ties with those outside
the group. This severing can take numerous forms such as:
 Discouraging contact with non-cult family members.
 No contact with ex-members.
 No reading materials critical of the group allowed.
 The discouraging of certain trades or professions that would increase contact with non-
members.