Simply stated, batterers abuse their partners because it gets them what they want – power and control. They abuse because they want to and think they are entitled to control their partner. Their abusive behavior is further reinforced by the lack of consequences from the law, family, friends, and community.
It is important to note that a batterer’s abusive behavior is not caused by:
- Mental Illness
- Genetics
- Substance Abuse
- Anger
- Stress
- Behavior of the Victim
- Problems in the Relationship
All of the above are excuses for violence – not the causes. Studies have found that even batterers who stop abusing substances continue to abuse their partners. These findings hold true for mental illness, anger, stress, victim’s behavior and problems in the relationship. In fact, many people who have substance abuse problems, anger, mental illness, stress, and poor relationships are not batterers.
Violence is a learned behavior. Batterers learn to use violence through observation, experience, culture, family and community. Without question, batterers are responsible for every act of violence committed against their partners.
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