Domestic Violence: Violence Against Women

Source: (-0001) In Emmanuel Clapsis, ed., Violence and Christian Spirituality An Ecumenical Conversation. Geneva, Switzerland: World Council of Churches. Pp. 133-147.

“Domestic violence occurs in all segments of our society, regardless of religion, race, economic status, sexual preference, educational level or health status. It occurs when a man’s understanding of how men and women should relate to one another leads him to believe that it is both his role and his right to control his partner. From a variety of sources, he has learned that it is both appropriate and acceptable for him to use force to exercise this control. He believes that the man is master of his household and that the woman should be compliant, he chooses to use force to achieve his goals, and it works…Abusive men deny they are responsible for their abusive actions – and it is this denial that perpetuates and intensifies the abuse over time.” (Abstract)