Bias and Propaganda in Domestic Abuse

The issue of domestic abuse is a paradoxical one; it is at the same time a heated political topic and a highly personal conflict – a strange dichotomy which has had the unfortunate effect of distorting the public impression of domestic abuse and spousal violence. Feminist groups are perhaps the greatest perpetrator of bias and misleading propaganda about domestic violence, though men’s rights organizations are becoming increasingly vocal about their point of view.

The simple and common solution to accusations of bias by both feminist and men’s rights advocates is to retreat further behind a skewed, closed-minded “party line,” a reaction which has only served to worsen the problem.

Because of the politicization of domestic abuse policies, and a cultural trend towards the media-publicized abusive husband-victimized wife image of domestic violence, the public has become increasingly out-of-touch with the reality of abuse, while simultaneously coming to believe that they are getting more in touch with reality. This has led to severe backlash against those who advocate a balanced view of domestic violence based on scientific fact.

And what of the role of family law practitioners in all this? Again, the field is radically polarized. Because women are more encouraged to report spousal abuse than men, the response of the different genders to domestic violence is uneven, leading to an imbalance in the clientele – at least in public opinion – of family lawyers. Unfortunately, the very thing that fuels bias and propaganda in domestic violence – public opinion – is also the only key to eliminating them.

For more information on the reality of domestic violence, contact domestic abuse lawyers Slater, Kennon & Pugh Ltd.LLP at 512-472-2431 today.