The idea that there's a type of man who batters just perpetuates the myth that this is a problem of the underclass. They are ministers and judges and lawyers and therapists. No one is immune to it. Batterers are often very respectable, even charming people. If you think you may be abusing your partner, seek help now by calling any of the batterers treatment agencies listed in the Community Resources section of this book.
Victims provoke their abusers.
Regardless of what his partner does, an abuser's response is totally his decision. An abuser may not like his partner's behavior or may disagree strongly with something she says. However, nothing she does or says gives him permission to commit a crime against her. There is no excuse for domestic violence. Batterers are crazy, sick people.