Characteristics of Batterers

All of the characteristics do not apply to all batterers.  However, the following are general characteristics that apply to many batterers. 

• Come from every race, religion, nationality, economic class,
  educational background and profession.
  
  
• Often have feelings of low self-esteem and worthlessness.
  
  
• Believe in traditional role relationships between men and women.
  
  
• Are excessively jealous, particularly with regard to sex, even though they may at the same time be telling the victim that no one else would ever want her.
  
  
• Have a need to be included in all aspects of their spouse's/partner's life, extreme possessiveness.
  
  
• May have experienced violence in the past;  either were abused as a child or witnessed the abuse of their mothers or other family members.  (According to one study, approximately 60% of abusers
  identified themselves as having witnessed or experienced abuse as children.)
  
  
• Are often involved in alcohol or drugs during physical encounters.
  It is important to remember that alcohol and drugs are NOT the cause of the abuse, but often serve as an excuse for the violence.
  In fact, many batterers who are also substance abusers become more violent even after becoming clean and sober .
  
  
• Often are described as having a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde personality,
  being very charming one minute and very violent the next, or
  very violent with spouse/partner, but very charming with others.
  
  
• Are unable to express a range of emotions.  Batterers are
  typically either angry or OK.Feel they are justified in using
  violence to solve problems within the family.
  
  
• Often believes that the family has given him/her no other choice
  than to be violent.
  
  
• Fail to accept responsibility for their behavior.
  
  
• Minimize or deny violent behavior.
  
  
• Are impulsive. Batterers typically make decisions, even
  major ones, much more inpulsively than does the general
  population.Isolated, but unlike the victim's isolation,
  the batterer's is self imposed.
  
  
• The victim is typically the person to whom he is closest
  and most dependent upon. 
  
  

Because batterers fail to accept responsibility for their behavior,
minimize or deny the abuse, and act impulsively,
counseling is frequently unsuccessful in deterring future abuse.

Developed by Dr. Anne Ganley

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