Citation

Dutton DG, Nicholls TL. Aggress. Violent Behav. 2005; 10(6): 680-714.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Feminist theory of intimate violence is critically reviewed in the light of data from numerous incidence studies reporting levels of violence by female perpetrators higher than those reported for males, particularly in younger age samples. A critical analysis of the methodology of these studies is made with particular reference to the Conflict Tactics Scale developed and utilised by Straus and his colleagues. Results show that the gender disparity in injuries from domestic violence is less than originally portrayed by feminist theory. Studies are also reviewed indicating high levels of unilateral intimate violence by females to both males and females. Males appear to report their own victimization less than females do and to not view female violence against them as a crime. Hence, they differentially under-report being victimized by partners on crime victim surveys. It is concluded that feminist theory is contradicted by these findings and that the call for "qualitative" studies by feminists is really a means of avoiding this conclusion. A case is made for a paradigm having developed amongst family violence activists and researchers that precludes the notion of female violence, trivializes injuries to males and maintains a monolithic view of a complex social problem. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Aggression and Violent Behavior, 2005. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Science)

Domestic Violence Research
Domestic Violence Offender
Domestic Violence Victim
Spouse Abuse Research
Spouse Abuse Offender
Spouse Abuse Victim
Dating Violence Research
Dating Violence Offender
Dating Violence Victim
Violence Against Women
Partner Violence
Adult Female
Adult Victim
Adult Violence
Adult Male
Adult Offender
Male Offender
Male Victim
Male Violence
Female Offender
Female Victim
Female Violence
08-05