Myths About Men Who Use Violence Against Women

"Men who are physically abusive are scuzzy, meanMyth #4 - Battering is caused by women nagging.
and ugly." This is a common portrayal of aMen are forced to be violent because the woman
stereotyped abuser: However, this view is gravelydoes not behave.
incorrect. An example would be Paul Bernardo: HeTruth #4 - Physical abuse is not about how the
seems sweet and nice on the outside but behindwoman behaves, it is about the man making poor
closed doors is a murderer who is now in jail. Societychoices involved power and control.
has several myths about men who use violenceMyth #5 - Women are just as, if not more, violent
against women and a few of them will be pointedthan men
out here.Truth #5 - Generally, women will use self-defense
Myth #2 - Men who batter are uneducated, loweragainst their abuser. There are very few
class or poor.documented cases of male victims who are abused
Truth #2 - Violence men come from all groups andby a woman.
educations.It is evident that there is a grave misunderstanding in
Myth #3 - Men who are physically abusive have nosociety as to what causes men to be physically
control over their violent actions. They lack moralsabusive towards their partner. The main cause of
and cannot change.physical violence is a man's poor choices to gain
Truth #3 - Abusive men can learn new behavior andcontrol and power. This learned behavior needs to
can learn new skills to use instead of violence.change for women and children to be safe in their
Generally, they do not like being violent but this is theown homes.
behavior they have learned throughout their life time.