It Won't Happen to Me:
Substance Abuse-Related Violence Against Women for Anyone Concerned About The Issues

Supplements

Batterer Intervention Theories

Society and Culture

The theoretical approach of programs that follow these ideas look at how beliefs that are considered "normal" in our society support or allow the use of violence by men against women. For example, many people and some cultures believe that the man is supposed to control all the money in the house and should make all the rules. They believe the woman should not work and must obey the man.

While this arrangement may work for some people, some men take that belief too far and control a woman's life to the point of abuse. The ideas behind treatment are to teach men that these beliefs are not normal, that both the man and the woman in a relationship should be equal, and that violence is never normal or right.

The Family

Family-based theories about partner violence focus mainly on how abusive families are isolated from others in the community. These couples also lack effective communication skills that would allow them to share their feelings without the threat of violence. The treatment works on trying to keep the family together, if at all possible.

Many people think the man and the woman should attend treatment at the same time. However, others think it is not always safe for the woman to be in treatment with the man. This is because a man has power and control over a woman even with a therapist present. Also, if a woman says something during therapy that angers the man, she may be in more danger later on.

The Individual

These ideas point toward the abuser's mental condition, his childhood, and the possibility that violent traits might have been passed down through his family. In addition, they look at the abuser's medical history. For example, some abusers may have a chemical imbalance in their brains that leads them to become violent.

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