MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

MYTH: FACT:

DOMESTIC ASSAULT IS NOT A BIG PROBLEM. Domestic violence is the primary cause of injury to women, producing more injuries to women than rapes, mugging, and auto crashes combined.

MYTH: FACT:

ONLY LOWER CLASS MEN BEAT THEIR PARTNERS. Men who beat their partners come from every race, religion, and socio-economic background. Many doctors, lawyers, judges, police officers, social workers, psychologists and executives have attacked their wives and girlfriends. Many statistics have been gathered from lower-class families, but this is because lower-class women are more likely to request assistance and more open to public scrutiny.

MYTH: FACT:

IF A WOMAN REALLY WANTS TO AVOID ABUSE, SHE CAN JUST LEAVE. It’s not that easy. Powerful economic forces work against a battered woman. Many abusive men will not allow their women to work, because they want to keep them home, where they can control them and keep them financially dependent. If a battered woman decides to leave her partner and seeks a job, she will find that lack of training and experience limit her employment opportunities. She may also be ashamed to ask for help or may fear retaliation from her violent partner, because often abusive men will threaten to harm her or the kids if they try to leave.

MYTH: FACT:

DRUNKENNESS CAUSED THE ASSAULT. Studies have indicated that domestic violence is related to alcohol in 40% - 80% of the cases. Yet, experts agree that alcohol is not the cause of domestic assault. Many people drink without becoming violent. Many abusive alcoholic men stop drinking, but they continue or escalate their abusive behavior toward their wives.

MYTH: FACT:

ONLY SICK, EVIL MEN BEAT THEIR WIVES. While no one would dispute the evil of a vicious assault on another person, most men who beat their wives are not psychologically unbalanced. The fact that violence occurs in such a high proportion of intimate relationships shows that violent men are only too normal.