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Our understanding of Domestic Violence
The work at DVIP is underpinned by the following understanding of domestic violence:
- Domestic violence is unacceptable behaviour
- The right to live free from intimidation abuse and violence is a basic human right
- Domestic violence is very common – one in four women will experience domestic violence
- Domestic violence is very dangerous – each week in the UK 2 women a week are killed by a partner or ex-partner
- The abuser is 100% responsible for his abusive behaviour
- Domestic violence is not the fault or responsibility of the woman – no woman ever deserves to be abused no matter what she says or does
- Violence towards a partner is intentional and instrumental behaviour – it’s about a man controlling his partner’s behaviour and establishing the power to set the rules within the relationship
- Violence towards a partner is learned behaviour
- Domestic violence is rooted in gender inequalities within historical and institutional power structures in society
- Men can change – his behaviour is within his control and he can choose to stop – however making changes is far from easy and many men do not have sufficient motivation
- Women cannot stop men’s violence – but there may be things they can do to increase their own and their children’s safety
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