Domestic abuse and gender inequality: an overview of the current debate

Domestic abuse is a global phenomenon which adversely affects individuals who experience it and creates social and financial burdens for the societies in which it occurs. While abuse can be perpetrated by women against male partners and occurs in same sex relationships, domestic abuse is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against female partners. As a result, the United Nations has identified domestic abuse as a form of gender based violence that is predominantly experienced by women and perpetrated by men (United Nations, 1992). Domestic abuse is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality. This briefing will provide an overview of a gendered analysis of domestic abuse, outline the evidence which supports this and the debate which challenges it.