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Common Characteristics of Men who Batter their Partners

• Most batterers deny any responsibilities for their violent behavior.
• Batterers tend to blame everyone and everything else for their actions (i.e. wife or girlfriend, alcohol mother, stress, no money, etc.)
• Many batterers are insecure, immature and insensitive.
• Most batterers often drink in excess to deal with stress or boredom.
• Batterers are often emotionally, verbally, and sexually abusive in addition to being physically abusive.
• Most batterers are " traditional" in outlook, identify themselves as "macho men" and believe in male supremacy both inside and outside the family.
• Many batterers admit they hate women in general.
• Many batterers believe they must use violence "to teach the woman a lesson".
• Most batterers are excessively jealous and possessive.
• Most batterers try to become overly involved in the woman's activities.
• Most batterers do not believe their violent behavior should have negative consequences for them (i.e. they do not believe they deserve to be reprimanded for their actions).
• Most batterers believe some or all of the myths about battering.