NCJ Number
206904
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 243-247
Date Published
August 2004
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between female reproductive status and domestic violence incidents.
Abstract
Over 20 percent of violence experienced by women is at the hands of their intimate partners. While the research literature on domestic violence has grown exponentially during the past two decades, much of this research overlooks abuse during pregnancy. Evolutionary theory is used as a framework to examine data elicited from 258 men convicted of spouse abuse who were referred to a male counseling center. Participants provided information about the frequency and severity of domestic violence and completed the Abusive Behavior Inventory. Results indicated that approximately one out of seven participants reported committing violent acts against their current partner while she was pregnant. The frequency and severity of abuse directed toward pregnant partners was almost double that directed toward non-pregnant partners. The authors note that in all likelihood, the findings here underestimate the frequency and severity of abuse toward intimate partners due to the fact that men tend to minimize or deny their involvement in domestic violence. Recognizing the existence and extent of violence against pregnant women is imperative to developing effective prevention and intervention programs. Future studies should focus on whether abuse during pregnancy predicts later abuse of that child. References