In determining the dominant aggressor in domestic violence cases, which factor is key?

• A. Absence of prior DV
• B. Age difference
• C. History of DV and fear-based control
• D. Victim's financial independence

Answer: (C)

The key factor is recognizing the pattern of control and violence over time. When a person has a history of domestic violence and uses fear-based tactics to keep the other person under their control, that pattern shows who has been the primary aggressor in the relationship. This coercive control—and the victim’s fear as a result—indicate who is driving the abusive dynamic, making them the dominant aggressor in the eyes of investigators.

This matters because a single, isolated incident can be misleading if there isn’t a larger pattern of coercion and aggression. Past violent behavior combined with fear-based control demonstrates ongoing power and control, which is what the dominant aggressor determination hinges on. In contrast, lack of prior DV, differences in age, or the victim’s financial independence don’t establish who is more responsible for the violence or the controlling conduct. They don’t reflect the ongoing pattern that identifies the primary aggressor.