Here are some potential cultural factors that could contribute to under-reporting of partner abuse: - Shame and stigma - Victims may feel ashamed or blame themselves for the abuse. - Fear of retaliation - Victims may fear further harm if they report the abuse to authorities. - Pressure to maintain privacy/image of happy family - Cultural norms that view family problems as private matters. - Gender roles and socialization - For example, some cultures emphasize male authority/control in relationships. - Lack of support systems - Isolation is a tool of abuse. Victims may feel they have nowhere to turn for help. - Language/cultural barriers - Communicating abuse issues can be more difficult for

1. SPOUSAL ABUSE

2. Changing Attitudes
• Defined as a problem in
the 1970s
• Matters of the home were
private
•“Not my business”
• Until then, considered
necessary discipline.
• Social and family values
pressured women to stay
with abusive partners

3. Definitions
 Victim – has experienced mistreatment by
their partners in the last 5 years.
(physical, emotional, sexual)
 Violence – is an action
that is intended to
physically hurt someone.
Intention changes
according to context.

4. Women’s Rights
 Pre 1970s
 Men were allowed to punish their
children/wives using physical violence
 If you left your husband you were guilty of
desertion
 Lost custody of kids
 No support offered
 Social rejection

5. 1970s
 Spousal abuse was recognized as assault.
 Public opinions drastically changed.
 Prompted research to determine the causes
and possible prevention measures
 Until this time, women had no choice but to
stay.

6. Intergenerational Cycle of
Violence

7. Those who ...
 Experienced violence
 Observed violence
 Child abuse/partner abuse
 More likely, statistically, to become victims of
violence or inflict it on others.

8. Violence as Learned
 If patterns of violence are learned by both
victim and perpetrator, they can be
unlearned.
 Learn more effective methods of conflict
resolution.
 Proactive approaches for prevention.

9. Early Research Focus:
 Why do women stay in abusive relationships?
 Both believe the violence will not happen again.
 The Cycle of Violence
 Repeating pattern of spousal violence experienced
by both victim and perpetrator.

10. The Cycle
 Tension Building
 Try to maintain calm, and fulfill partner’s needs.
 Builds wit stress or conflict. “tip toeing”
 Abusive Incident
 Assaults occur, one or more (disbelief builds)
 Unpredictable
 May require medical help, but usually hidden
 Calm and Penance
 Feels remorse, apologizes, affectionate acts

12. Factors Contributing
 Unemployment
 Financial hardship/bankruptcy
 Job stress, multiple jobs
 Demotions, career set backs
 Downgrading accommodations
 Child support payments

13. When Men are Victims
 http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CTVNewsAt11/2
0030713/stastcan_violenceagainstmen_20030
713/

14. Question
 Until the 1970s a “culture of silence”
surrounded matters of partner abuse.
Today, partner abuse is equally
unacceptable, yet still goes under
reported. What other cultural factors
might contribute to this under-reporting?