Domestic violence shelter address and phone numbers

Understanding the Problem of Men's Violence Against Women

Violence against women includes wife assault, date rape, sexual harassment, stalking, domineering and controlling behaviors, unwanted sexual advances, demeaning sexist jokes, and murder.

Why does it occur?
Is violence against women a big problem in the United States?
Has domestic violence always existed?

Why does it occur?

Many men are not violent. In fact, a majority of men are not physically violent against women. But we live in a society that raises men to believe that aggression and violence are acceptable forms of self-expression. Young boys are encouraged to demonstrate strength and dominance rather than empathetic, caring, and nurturing attributes – characteristics that are devalued and seen as “feminine”. We forget that the strongest people are the most self-aware and caring ones. Socializing processes teach men to equate masculinity with power and the ability to control others with less power. As a result, some men learn to express their masculinity by using verbal or physical violence against women.

Is violence against women a big problem in the United States?

Violence against women is everywhere. It is the most common crime in our country today. It effects women of all age groups, religions, socio-economic classes, and cultural backgrounds. Studies reveal that:

One-half of all married women suffer physical abuse from their husbands at least once in their marriage.
Every 9 seconds a woman is beaten.
Wife abuse is equally common among upper and lower income families, and slightly more prevalent among middle income families.
One-fourth of all homicides in the US are between family members and 40% of all women who are murdered die at the hands of their husbands or lovers.
In Illinois alone, 35,000 children and 20,000 elderly people will be abused or neglected by their families this year.
Every 15 seconds, a woman is raped.
Everyday, girls and women experience sexual harassment at school, work, or on the street.
Eighty percent of the men in America's prisons were abused as children.

Has domestic violence always existed?

Research over the past 100 years tells us there were once many societies with little or no violence against women, violence among men, or violence against children. In fact, half of the tribal societies investigated by anthropologists showed little or no violence. The fact that violence does not occur in all societies tells us that violence among humans is not genetic or biologically necessary, but is the result of the way we set up our societies. Those societies with violence are those in which women are second-class citizens. Where there is equality between men and women, there is little or no violence.

Men's violence against women has its roots in the way we have historically regarded women and men. For about eight to ten thousand years, men in most societies have held positions of privilege, while women have been cast in subservient roles. In effect, women were treated as property. Until this century, women were denied such basic rights as the right to vote, to pursue a career, to own property, and to pursue higher education. Even today, some countries still deny these basic rights to women.

-From Parish Social Ministry, Archdiocese of Chicago

If you would like more information about A Safe Place, please call us at 847-731-7165 or email us at info@asafeplaceforhelp.org.

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The 24-hour HELP LINE, 847-249-4450; TTY 847-249-6557, can provide assistance in accessing services.

Everyone has the right to a violence-free, safe and healthy life.
Help Line: 847-249-4450 • Office: 847-731-7165 • TTY: 847-249-6557