|
FALSE
perceptions of the causes domestic violence
The foundation of domestic violence is that abusers want
to control everything. They abuse because they believe it
works and because they can.
Less than 1 man in 100 is convicted of wife assault in court.
One primary aspect of domestic violence that must be understood
in order to fully recognise the problem is that domestic
violence is the result of a choice.
It is NOT caused by:
· alcohol or drugs
· problems from his childhood
· old war experiences
· stress from work or other areas of his life
· a physical illness
· their insecurity
· racism or poverty
· their inability to express his feelings
· financial problems
· how the victims looks or acts.
What Causes Violence?
The causes are rarely physiological,
nor does the use of alcohol cause the violence to occur.
Alcohol and chemical abuse are often found with abusive
behaviour, and their use can be determined as "factors".
However, the problems of violent behaviour are not caused
by the alcohol or chemical substance.
Abuse is not an accident.
It does not happen because someone was stressed-out, drinking,
or using drugs. Abuse is an intentional act that one person
uses in a relationship to control the other. Abusers have
learned to abuse so that they can get what they want. The
abuse may be physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological.
Abusers are not easy to
spot. There is no 'typical' abuser. In public, they may
appear friendly and loving to their partner and family.
They often only abuse behind closed doors. They also try
to hide the abuse by causing injuries that can be hidden
and do not need a doctor.
Myth: It's
all right to hit a loved one for their own "good".
Truth:
Violence is learned,
and can be passed on from generation to generation.
| Back to top
What Are
Characteristics Of Abusers?
Most
abusers are needy human beings who can be loveable
and loving.
They use violence to get their way with intimate
partners but can often behave normally toward other
family members, work associated and others.
They are often extremely insecure in their
ability to trust others. They have difficulty establishing
close friendships.
They tend to be critical or jealous of their
partners.
They often deny responsibility for their
behaviours and can often deny that the abuse occurred.
They minimize the impact of their assaultive behaviour
and blame their partners for there behaviour.
They need to control. abusers choose to abuse
and their purpose is to control.
Roots of
Abuse and The Problem
Abuse has cultural, social,
economic and psychological roots.
The unequal power relationship between men and women
contributes heavily to the problem.
Frequently, family violence perpetuates itself--as
abused children, or children in families where abuse
occurred often, become abusers or abused women.
It is a culturally accepted norm for men to use force
on women.
General social-economic conditions such as high unemployment,
have an impact on abuse.
The socialization of boys and girls trains girls to
be passive, and boys to be aggressive.
There is little training or education done to help
people deal with their emotions effectively, particularly
the emotion of anger.
Women are traditionally in a position of being economically
dependent on men.
Back to top |
|
