We need to make it O.K. for a friend or neighbor to intervene in domestic violence by reporting it. Nor will friends report domestic violence if the result is criminal prosecution. In addition to changing societal attitudes about domestic violence, we need to respond to domestic violence with aggressive, multi-modal treatment programs that teach anger management, and address the feelings of dependency and inadequacy which drive most offenders. No one should ever be told, as O.J. Simpson reportedly was, to call a psychiatrist now and then. We need also to provide education for the victims of abuse and the children who often witness the violence.
Domestic violence is a complex social problem.
Simplistic Either-Or thinking won't begin to provide solutions, nor will fixing the blame on individual men who abuse. All Rights Reserved.