Myth: Women provoke violence; therefore, they deserve what they get. [...]

Myth: Only poor women get beaten. Reality: Victims of woman [...]

Myth: Alcohol causes a man to beat his partner. Reality: While alcohol is often abused by the violent partner, it is not the cause of the violence. Rather, it facilitates the use of physical force for his behaviour. Some men become intoxicated in order to act out their violent wishes.

Myth: Men who assault their partners are mentally ill. Reality: Woman abuse is too widespread to be explained away by mental illness. Most men who assault their partners confine their violence to the privacy of their home. The abuse is often directed to particular parts of the body that will not visibly bruise. Obvious restraint and forethought is necessary to accomplish this. Violent husbands are not likely to attack their bosses when frustrated. If the man was truly mentally ill, he would lack the ability to be selective in his targets and controlled in his administration of abuse.