The study of Intimate Partner Violence is vast and complex. As a result, there are many emerging issues, especially in the treatment of abusive men. The first emergent issue that I wish to discuss is the availability of treatment programs for abusive men. Second, is the issue of increasing public awareness. The last issue will be about our culture of acceptance. Thanks to years of study and research combined with increasing awareness of domestic violence, programs have been created to aid women who are or have been abused by their boyfriends or husbands. These programs offer abused women, their loved ones, and members of the community with guidance, support, and encouragement, while dealing with abuse and violence. While these programs are essential, there is very little available for men who are looking for help in dealing with their abusive behaviors. There needs to be further study into how to help the abuser stop being abusive. Abuser programs, while few exist, provide the abuser to meet with a trained professional who provides them with quality education and counseling. The abusers who benefit from these programs and change their abusive behaviors are those whose family and friends recognize that he is abusive and want him to deal with it, while also fully supporting his abused partner. Further indication for success is that the abuser exhibits early signs of empathy for the abuse he inflicted upon his significant other. Those who are less self-centered are more capable of change. Victims who have complete support from their loved ones, their community, and the legal system achieve encouragement not to accept the violence any more. This support helps the victim to understand that she did not and does not deserve to be abused. Finally, the quality of the abuser program that the abuser enrolls in makes a difference. The higher the quality of the program, the more likely the treatment will be successful. Most abusers who benefit from these programs attend them for about two years.
It is the lack of public awareness for domestic violence that these programs are so limited. Lack of awareness and education has resulted in the vast array of myths that exist. There are many myths surrounding Intimate Partner Violence, with belief in these myths being so widespread, it creates complications. Abusers intentionally say and behave in manners that intend to confuse those around them. His goal is to prevent his partner from seeing who he really is inside. He doesn’t want anyone to think he can control his abusive behaviors so that he can deflect blame onto other people. Including, but not limited to his current partner, previous partner, or even his mother. The majority of myths out there explaining away the abusers’ actions are actually created by those doing the abusing. By creating these myths, abusers are able to confuse those around them as to the root of their problems. Widespread belief in these myths means that it is likely that a therapist will end up spending a considerable amount of time finding the truth. What may complicate it further is if the abuser is unaware of the reason he is violent. When this occurs, the abuser tries to become one of the myths in order to answer the question, “why do you abuse?”
Increased awareness will bring Intimate Partner Violence out in the open for all to see. The ultimate goal is to understand abusers. If we can understand what goes on inside their minds then we can help to reduce further incidences of domestic violence in our society. Education is the key here. Raising public awareness will educate the public to change our culture of acceptance. “Abuse is a product of a mentality that excuses and condones bullying and exploitation, which promotes superiority and disrespect, and that casts responsibility on to the oppressed. All efforts to end the abuse of women ultimately have to return to this question: How do we change societal values so that women’s right to live free of insults, invasion, disempowerment, and intimidation is respected” (Bancroft, 2002, p. 386)? Raising public awareness through educational programs regarding the abuse of women will dispel any myths or stereotypes out there that make domestic violence imperceptible. As Lundy Bancroft stated, “One on one approaches to overcoming abuse work well only when the wider community pulls together to create an environment in which the victims are supported and the abusers held accountable” (383).
