Attitudes and beliefs around violence towards women from male perpetrators of domestic violence : an exploratory study

• Main Author: Casey, Gemma
• Published: University of East London 2010
• Subjects: 362.82
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.533027

Since the 1970s there has been an abundance of research regarding theories and effects of domestic violence. However, feminist researchers have suggested that since the majority of this research is based upon the accounts of female victims or professionals, the voice of the male perpetrators has not yet been significantly heard. There is a growing body of literature concerning the accounts of male perpetrators of domestic violence and the ways in which they construct their violence. To date, all of this research has been undertaken using an interview methodology and in arguably 'Western' contexts. The present study involved utilising a convenient sample of a "Men's Stopping Violence Group" (MSVG) IN Cape Town, South Africa, in order to obtain naturally occurring data (through audio recordings of this group). The study utilised a discursive psychology perspective with the analysis focussing on the rhetorical aspects of the discourse through using discourse analytic techniques. The results of the analysis suggested that despite the social context (i.e. that of a "Men's Stopping Violence Group"), where members may be expected to "do" rehabilitation (including expressing empathy, accepting responsibility and challenging ideas of hegemonic masculinity and femininity), the participants were suggested as continuing to use discourses of external blame (particularly towards their female partners), construct their violence as justified (in relation to the 'unreasonable' and provocational behaviour of their female partners) and minimise their actions. Throughout this there were strong discourses of masculinity evoking ideas of "a man's right" and issues of power and control. The results of this study were used to make research and clinical recommendations regarding further investigations using these groups, training for group facilitators and approaches when working clinically with domestic violence