Which factor is considered when determining the dominant aggressor in domestic violence cases?

• A. History of DV and Fear-Based Control
• B. Offender's Employment Status
• C. Neighborhood Watch Membership
• D. Vehicle Type

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to identify the person who uses violence as a pattern to control the other person. The factor that best fits this is the history of domestic violence and fear-based control. When officers assess who is the dominant aggressor, they look for a sustained pattern of coercive behavior—repeated violence alongside actions that instill fear, isolate the partner, monitor or control finances, threaten harm, or otherwise dominate the relationship. This pattern shows who has been exerting power over time, which helps determine who is the primary aggressor, especially in cases where both parties may have some injuries or self-defense claims. Things like employment status, neighborhood watch membership, or vehicle type don’t indicate who is using violence to control the other person, so they’re not relevant to identifying the dominant aggressor.