Over time, and without intervention or counseling, abusive behavior increases in frequency and severity. Later incidents of domestic violence often involve weapons, and may end in a number of tragic situations, including death. Domestic violence is nearly always targeted at women. Victims of abuse may be any age, race, religion, education level, sexual orientation, occupation, any economic or social status, single, married, even pregnant women. Men continue to batter because our society has said that they can and should control women.
Violence works for the abuser.
It is effective in establishing his power and control and getting what he wants. The lack of immediate consequences for violent behavior in domestic violence situations is a further message that our society accepts, expects, and supports violent behavior. Abusive behavior is learned. It is a crime. More than 2 million women are battered each year.