stuy 1. Statistically, how many women experience domestic violence in their lifetime? * One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime

2. Be prepared to identify common myths about family violence (see chap. 1 in the text)
Family violence is uncommon
- Many statistics on family violence are underestimates less reported than other violence
WHY? Some victims may not perceive it as abuse
Much media reporting on family violence is on sensational cases

Studies have shown that lower-class families experience more violence
HOWEVER: Poor people may be more likely than those who are better off to turn to police or social service agencies
WHY?
How might these impact estimates of FV by social class?
It does not mean that ONLY poor families are violent or that ALL/MOST poor families are

Are Abused children usually abusive as adults? * No * On average, abused children are more likely to be abusers as adults * But majority of abused children DO NOT grow up to be abusive adults * Childhood history is neither a necessary nor sufficient cause of family violence

Alcohol is involved in 1 in 4 cases of wife beating * Binge drinkers three times more likely to hit wives * HOWEVER: * Majority of men who drink do not hit their wives * As many numbers of men who are sober abuse wives as those who drink/use drugs

Some women “ask for it
This is a form of ‘VICTIM BLAMING’ * ‘If she didn’t like it, why wouldn’t she just leave?’ * ‘She nags too much; She drinks too much; she comes from a dysfunctional family’ * Takes attention away from perpetrators * Also common in “rape culture” * “no means yes” * “she really wants it, but doesn’t want to seem like a slut”
Family violence can “just happen”? * Sometimes people “lose control” or need to