Citation

Downs WR, Rindels B, Atkinson C. Violence Against Women 2007; 13(1): 28-45.

Affiliation

University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801206294807

PMID

17179403

Abstract

Two incidents of partner violence are investigated using qualitative methodology to discover strategies women use to protect themselves and examine women's use of violence. Data were collected from 447 women (age 18 or older) from 7 domestic violence programs and 5 substance use disorder treatment programs in a midwestern state. Women were found to have developed numerous self-protection strategies, some using nonphysical means only, others using physical means only, and others combining nonphysical and physical means. Women often used a variety of strategies in the same incident. Few women initiated violence against partners. Implications for theory and research are discussed.

Language: en