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References Examining Assaults by Women on Their Spouses or Male Partners: An Updated Annotated Bibliography

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This annotated bibliography describes 343 scholarly investigations (270 empirical studies and 73 reviews) demonstrating that women are as physically aggressive as men (or more) in their relationships with their spouses or opposite-sex partners. The aggregate sample size in the reviewed studies exceeds 440,850 people.
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... According to this paradigm, there are no differences in male and female control motives that lead to violence in intimate relationships. Fiebert (2014) examined approximately 270 studies on intimate partner violence, revealing that women are physically violent toward their partners to a similar degree as men, and sometimes even more. Likewise, various studies have reported gender symmetry in short-and long-term relationships among adolescents and young adults in dating and married couples (Straus, 2008;Xiaoshuang, 2021). ...
... In support of H1, no differences were found between men and women regarding perpetration rates of physical assault and psychological aggression. These findings strengthen the symmetrical approach, which claims reciprocal perpetration between genders (Fiebert, 2014). According to the symmetrical approach, the lack of gender differences in violence perpetration applies to dating and marital relationships. ...
... These figures tend to have the central focus on women as the primary victims and men as the abusers (Ruth, 2012). However, various surveys and literatures on the subject has shown that men are almost as abused as women (Allen-Collinson, 2009;Douglas & Hines, 2011;Fiebert, 2014;Straus & Gelles 1975), and in some cases even more (Archer, 2002;Cook, 1997;Dutton, 2007;Morse, 1995;Straus, 2006;Straus, 1997). This later finding however, have been strongly criticized by researchers such as Pagelow (1985) and Kimmel (2002). ...
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Little or nothing is really known about a man’s victimization in a domestic violence situation. Generally, domestic violence is viewed from the lens of a woman with the typical idea that women are the victims while men, are the perpetrators of violence. Over time, this societal perception is beginning to subside as researchers have proven that men are also victims of domestic violence (Straus, Gelles, & Steinmetz, 1980). Despite this revelation, not much is known about male victimization as most men prefer not to report their victimization. This study examines the reasons for not reporting victimization and the effect of this decision on men. The study does so by employing a cross-sectional research carried out in 1994-1996, that was designed to assess the prevalence and impact of violence and threat of violence on women and men across the United States.
... physical, emotional, sexual) at different rates to men. For example, despite apparent gender symmetry in physical abuse perpetration (Ehrensaft et al., 2004;Fiebert, 2014;Straus, 2004), men cause more physical injury to their partners than women. This is perhaps attributable to differences in their average physical size and strength (Cantos et al., 1994;Straus, 2011). ...
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This paper presents a prospective evaluation of the predictive validity of three risk assessment instruments in a sample of Australian women identified by police as intimate partner abuse (IPA) perpetrators. Using a subsample from Spivak et al. (2020), 410 female IPA perpetrators were screened using the Victoria Police Screening Assessment for Family Violence Risk (VP-SAFvR) and evaluated alongside two samples of 60 and 229 female IPA perpetrators assessed using the Brief Spousal Assault Form for the Evaluation of Risk (B-SAFER) and a modified version of the Lethality Screen respectively. Of the three instruments, the VPSAFvR possessed indicators of effective discrimination (i.e. sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve) and predictive validity (i.e. positive predictive value, negative predictive value) on general IPA recidivism and its intended outcome of family or intimate partner abuse. The B-SAFER risk judgement similarly predicted its intended outcome of physical IPA recidivism, with notable indicators of discrimination and predictive validity. The results of the Modified Lethality Screen were conversely mixed on measures of discrimination and prediction for its intended outcome of severe IPA. The current findings suggest that these instruments function consistently for women and men who are identified by police as perpetrating family or intimate partner abuse.
... The growing debate about whether the forms or nature of domestic violence perpetrated by women against men is similar in connotations and impacts to those perpetrated by men against women is voluble (Johnson, 2011;Morgan & Wells, 2016). however, the vociferousness of this debate conflicts with the overarching narratives that consider male victimisation as 'forbidden' , even as many men continue to experience DV at the hands of women (Corbally, 2015;Fiebert, 2014). This violence often results in severe physical and psychological injuries and could sometimes snowball into what scholars describe as 'intimate terrorism' (see hines & Douglas, 2010;Morgan & Wells, 2016). ...
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This study explored the forms of domestic violence experienced by men in contemporary South Africa. Domestic violence is mostly portrayed as a crime perpetrated by men against women. The harsh reality, however, is that women are also culprits and active participants in the commission of the crime. Unfortunately, a heavy silence masks this assertion, and only a few studies give credence to this, particularly in South Africa. From the findings of a just completed doctoral study which utilised a qualitative approach, this article examines the various forms of domestic violence experienced by men in South Africa. The study was conducted in three South African provinces: Gauteng, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Thirty (30) participants were interviewed for the study. Findings indicate that the dominant forms of domestic violence against men are physical, verbal, emotional, financial and legal abuse. The implications of these findings for an inclusive campaign against domestic violence are discussed.
... [6][7][8] It is interesting to know that there is a growing body of evidence supporting the notion that many women perpetrate IPV just as men do, especially from the developed nations as noted in some studies. [9][10][11] In the United States of America (USA) according to the updated 2015 version of National Intimate Sexual Partner Survey, 33.6% of men had experienced at least one form of IPV in their lifetime while 5.2% had experienced IPV in the 12 months preceding the survey. 12 In Scotland, the police noted that among the cases recorded, 15% of the survivors were men, and their female partners were the perpetrators of violence. ...
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Background: Globally, female-perpetrated IPV has been well studied among various groups but little is known about IPV against heterosexual men living with HIV. This study sought to identify the prevalence and determinants of female-perpetrated IPV among heterosexual HIV-positive men in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive crosssectional study carried out at one secondary and tertiary health facility respectively, both situated in Birnin Kudu. Using an intervieweradministered pre-tested questionnaire, the prevalence and determinants of female-perpetrated IPV was assessed among 322 heterosexual HIV-positive men attending the anti-retroviral therapy clinics at the two health facilities. Data was entered into and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 25. Results: The prevalence of IPV in the last year was 45% (145D 322). Out of the survivors of IPV, 143 (98.6%), 75 (51.7%), and 51 (35.2%) had experienced psychological aggression, physical assault and sexual coercion respectively. The number of children fathered, experience of childhood violence, and marital status were significantly associated with IPV (p< 0.05) However, they remained significant determinants of IPV after controlling for confounders (ethnicity, marital status, educational status ) {Adjusted Odds ratio (aOR) = 7.34 and 95% confidence interval (C.I.) = 1.49 - 35.4; aOR= 1.84 C.I. 1.33 - 2.80; aOR = O.51 (0.29 - 0.90) respectively}. Conclusion: This study identified a high prevalence of femaleperpetrated IPV against heterosexual men living with HIV and emphasizes that exposure to childhood violence and being childless are determinants of IPV. Efforts should be made to screen for IPV among men living with HIV so as to optimize their health and wellbeing.
... The use of intimate partner violence by women against men, both in scholarly literature and the corporate media, is perhaps a phenomenon that has not received adequate attention (Eckstein 2009;Durfee 2011;Corbally 2015;Migliaccio 2002). Notwithstanding, observation in the broader literature on IPV has demonstrated for almost three decades that women have also perpetrated IPV on men (Corbally 2015;Fiebert 2014;Morgan & Wells 2016;Simonelli& Ingram 1998). However, there are primarily five types of intimate partner violence: ...
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IPV is a significant worldwide problem. In general, men are considered perpetrators of this type of violence, but they can also be victims. Relevant pieces of literature uphold women as the principal victims of IPV. An emerging question raised within this context is, “What about the men who are also victims of IPV?” So far, there are limited studies that describe men as victims, especially in Nigeria and West Africa. The routine activity theory of Cohen and Felson was used to provide a theoretical backdrop to the discourse in this study. Precipitant factors like class, culture, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and religion influence male victimisation circles. Indeed, policymakers, social and health care planners, and providers have not paid much attention to men’s victimisation at the local and international levels. There is an urgent need to modify policies and laws concerning IPV by including men as victims.
... We wish to point out that this journal, Sexuality & Culture, has published literature reviews on the topic of female aggression towards their partners in the past. Two note-worthy examples are Fiebert (2000) and Fiebert (2014). ...
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Studies by researchers such as S. S. Judson and L. Stemple stated that many people underestimate female sexual coercion. Thus, this paper attempts to answer the question "what proportion of women have sexually coerced someone?". As will be shown, studies dealing with this are predominantly heterosexual, demonstrating the need for more research into non-heterosexual female sexual coercion. While the number of sexually coercive women is related to the number of people who have been sexually coerced by a woman, these quantities are not necessarily equal as a woman can coerce more than one person. Therefore, this study surveys studies which measured female perpetration. The authors found 32 such studies, predominantly , but not entirely, heterosexual, with a cumulative sample of 22,632 women and calculated weighted means with the results of these studies. We searched reference lists of studies and used Google Scholar. We did have to also specifically search for non-heterosexual studies. We included all studies we found that reported female perpetration rates except those with high school girls. The weighted mean of those studies which were predominantly heterosexual indicate that, worldwide, approximately 17% of heterosexual women have sexually coerced a man sometime during their lifetime. Our studies also include evidence that bisexual and homosexual women sexually coerce at similar rates.
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Artykuł poświęcony analizie roli płci ukazuje toczącą się w środowisku naukowym debatę między przedstawiciel(k)ami dwóch podejść: perspektywy symetryzmu płci oraz perspektywy feministycznej. Odmienne znaczenie przypisywane płci przełożyło się na inny sposób prowadzenia badań, co doprowadziło badaczy i badaczki do przeciwnych wniosków dotyczących przemocy domowej. Pierwsza grupa uznaje, że kobiety i mężczyźni w równym stopniu stosują przemoc w związkach, natomiast druga zauważa znaczną asymetrię, wskazując, że sprawcami zdecydowanie częściej są mężczyźni. Przedstawiona została również koncepcja pozwalająca pogodzić te dwa spolaryzowane podejścia – typologia przemocy w związkach intymnych Michaela Johnsona. W końcowej części artykułu autorka wskazuje, że pomimo złożoności omawianego zagadnienia, kontrowersji wokół prowadzonych badań oraz pojawiających się rozbieżności w ich wynikach możliwa jest odpowiedź na pytanie, czy przemoc domowa ma płeć
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Este artículo es una revisión del paradigma de violencia contenido en el art. 14 § 1 de las Reglas de procedimiento del motu proprio Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus, a partir de los desarrollos que de aquella ofrecen el Subsidio Aplicativo del Tribunal Apostólico de la Rota Romana y las aportaciones de la doctrina canónica. La cuestión es si el tipo de violencia jurídicamente relevante que se propone, esto es, exclusivamente física, habitual y grave, en cuanto indicio de nulidad matrimonial, responde o no a las dinámicas de perpetración y victimización que se registran antes y después de la celebración del matrimonio.
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English In a survey of 1577 Asian Americans, the average partner abuse prevalence was 16.4 percent, that is, 22.4 percent among Vietnamese, 21.8 percent among Filipinos, 19.5 percent among Indians, 19.5 percent among Koreans, 9.7 percent among Japanese and 9.7 percent among Chinese. Asian partner abuse victims are likely to seek help from medical professionals or friends. French Cette étude qui porte sur 1577 Asiatiques Américains révèle que le pourcentage d'abus commis au sein des groupes étudiés était de 16,4 pour cent, et se répartissait comme suit: 22,4 pour cent chez les Vietnamiens, 21,8 pour cent chez les Philippins, 19,5 pour cent chez les Indiens, 19,5 pour cent chez les Coréens, 9,7 pour cent chez les Japonais et 9,7 pour cent chez les Chinois. Les victimes asiatiques d'abus de la part du conjoint sont enclines à chercher de l'aide dans le milieu médical ou auprès d'amis. Spanish En una encuesta de 1,577 asiático americanos, el porcentaje de prevalencia de abuso de pareja fue de 16.4 percent, el cual estima que el 22.4 percent se da entre vietnamitas, el 21.8 percent entre filipinos, 19.5 percent entre indios, 19.5 percent entre coreanos, 9.7 percent entre japoneses y 9.7 percent entre chinos. Es probable que las víctimas asiáticas de abuso de pareja busquen ayuda de profesionales médicos o amigos.
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Data from 280 first-year college students in serious dating relationships were examined. Differences in relationship dimensions, negotiation styles and use of coping strategies were identified between participants in violent and non-violent relationships and between males and females. Multivariate analysis of covariance techniques revealed significant effects for gender and use of violence on the dependent research variables. No interaction effects were noted. Those in violent dating relationships reported more relationship conflict and greater ambivalence toward the relationship. Partners in violent relationships more frequently used the negotiation styles of negative affect, indirect appeal and emotional appeal. They also more often relied on confrontation and escape/avoidance as coping strategies. When negotiating, women more often used bargaining and emotional appeal. With respect to coping, women were more likely to use social support while men relied more often on self-control and escape/avoidance techniques. Implications of these findings are discussed.
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This study examines three areas of intimate partner violence in a conservative Christian denomination, noting gender differences in patterns of abuse among men and women. Specifically investigating patterns of victimization, the study identifies women as targets of intimate terrorism. Women who experienced escalating violence and sexual violence also reported emotional abuse, controlling behaviors, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that are typical of intimate terrorism. Women who endured potentially lethal violence had the added associated action of calling the police or 911. Although factors that are associated with male victimization also feature controlling behaviors, the control is not associated with PTSD or associated fear behaviors that are typical of intimate terrorism.
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This article compares the rates of physical violence in black families from the First National Family Violence Survey, conducted in 1975, with the rates from the 1985 replication. It also compares these rates to the rates for white families in the same surveys. Both studies used nationally representative samples (2,143 families in 1975 and 6,002 in 1985). There were 147 black families in the 1975 survey and 576 in the 1985 sample. The rate of severe violence toward black women declined 43%—a statistically significant change. Similarly, the ratio of severe violence toward women for blacks to whites declined from 1975 to 1985. The rates of severe violence toward black children and men were higher (48% for children and 42% for men), but the differences were not statistically significant. The black-to-white ratio for severe violence toward children and men increased between 1975 and 1985. Explanations are explored for the unchanged rate of violence toward black children, compared to a significant decline in the general population, and the decline in the rate of violence toward black women, compared to no change in the general population.
Article
The paper demonstrates the use of couple data as a methodological tool. Using Straus's Conflict Tactics Scale as an example, it is shown that couple data may be used for the evaluation of scale items and for the assessment of the validity of frequency estimates of violence and its relationship with other variables. The results provide clear evidence that aggregate husband-wife data cannot substitute for couple data.
Article
In post-Renaissance France and England, society ridiculed and humiliated husbands thought to be battered and/or dominated by their wives (Steinmetz, 1977-78). In France, for instance, a "battered" husband was trotted around town riding a donkey backwards while holding its tail. In England, "abused" husbands were strapped to a cart and paraded around town, all the while subjected to the people's derision and contempt. Such "treatments" for these husbands arose out of the patriarchal ethos where a husband was expected to dominate his wife, making her, if the occasion arose, the proper target for necessary marital chastisement; not the other way around (Dobash & Dobash, 1979). Although the patriarchal view supporting a husband's complete dominance of his wife persisted into the twentieth century (E. Pleck, 1987), during the latter half of this century, we find a definite shift in people's attitudes toward marital relationships. Beginning in the 1970s, for instance, advocates like Del Martin (1976) and Erin Pizzey (Pizzey 1974; Pizzey & Shapiro, 1982) exposed the "hidden" secret of domestic violence. As a result, terms like "domestic violence," "domestic abuse," and "battered wife" have found their way into our everyday speech. Finally, society seems to be taking the issue of domestic violence against women seriously and looking for solutions to stem if not to end the violence. Most of the early research dealing with domestic violence focused solely on the female victims and the social factors that supported the victimization of women (Smith, 1989). Consequently, a voluminous literature now exists that portrays domestic violence as a unitary social phenomenon stemming from a patriarchal social order where women are portrayed as the victims and men perceived as the perpetrators (Dobash & Dobash, 1979). Such research has had a significant impact upon the evolution of recent changes in civil law, enforcement of criminal law, and the ways law enforcement and social agencies respond to the needs of battered wives (see Victim Support, 1992).
Article
The present study investigated the prevalence of mutual violence, violent attitudes and mental health symptoms among students in Botswana, Africa. The sample consisted of 562 university students from Botswana University in heterosexual relationships. Participants completed self-report surveys that asked about violent attitudes, partner violence, controlling behaviours, and mental health symptoms. Results were that respondent and respondent partner's violent attitudes, partner violence and controlling behaviours were significantly related, revealing the mutuality of aggression within couples. Males reported higher violent attitudes but were just as likely as females to report controlling behaviours and physical partner perpetration. Multivariate analyses found that violent victimisation (physical and sexual), controlling behaviours and violent attitudes were significantly related to violent perpetration. Violent attitudes of the partner contributed to the respondent's violent perpetration of the partner. Respondents were likely to report more mental health symptoms if they experienced sexual violence and controlling behaviours by their intimate partners. Similarly, mental health symptoms of the respondents were associated with the partner's violent attitudes.