This unique course explores the rarely-discussed issue of domestic violence perpetrated by women. The majority of research during the last forty years has focused on how and why men abuse women in relationships. Only in recent years have clinicians begun to examine the other side of domestic violence - in which men are victimized by their female relationship partners.
In exploring this topic it is imperative that we not minimize or deny the extensive oppression of and violence towards women. However, research has begun to identify a growing trend of victimization by women in their relationships that is nearly equal that perpetrated by men in years past. Whether violence is initiated by women, men or as often happen, by both, batterers must be held accountable for their intentional abuse of their partners.
When the first indications arose that women were also battering in relationships, there was an outcry from both clinicians and the general public. There was concern that those identifying the trends were blaming female victims for fighting back or defending themselves. While violence by male perpetrators was seen as genetically and culturally programmed, many could not see female perpetrators as anything but victims. Perhaps to recognize that women could batter their male partners for any other reason was to diminish our sense of women as nurturers, comforters and safe havens.
While approximately 835,000 men are battered each year, men are less likely to report domestic violence by their female partners for several reasons: shame, machismo, fear of humiliation by police and male peers, and even fear of retaliation by their perpetrators. While some women do commit violence to defend themselves against their male partners, they are also capable of significant violence by their own initiative; research suggests that 80% of women who murder their husbands have histories of violence and often have extensive criminal records. In addition, the majority of infanticide also takes place in the hands of women.
This course will review the current research on female batterers. The course is comprised of four (4) articles and a list of resources concerning men who are in violent relationships. The first article identifies the existence of domestic violence by women and provides reasons that women give for their behavior. Articles two through four review the evidence for the incidence, style and impact of female violence against male partners. Impacts on Social Policy, Treatment Models and Law are also noted. The final text provides resources for men who are in violent relationships.
