New research by Women’s Aid and the University of Bristol published in a report today updates the evidence base on the gendered nature of domestic abuse. Gendered experiences of justice and domestic abuse shows that gender stereotypes play a significant role in women’s experiences of domestic abuse and set the scene for male abusive partners’ coercive and controlling behaviours.  

The research involved the analysis of 37 in-depth interviews with female survivors of domestic abuse, identifying three key themes: household/relationship roles, sexuality and intimate partner relationships and mental health and domestic abuse. It identified the harm caused by sexist stereotypes and social norms that sexually objectify women, create hierarchical division of roles in the home, and label women as “crazy” or over-emotional. These stereotypes create barriers to female survivors being believed and supported to leave abusive men.  

The findings further highlight the importance of responding to domestic abuse as a form of violence against women and girls (VAWG), and sufficiently funding safe, empowering spaces led by women for women.  

Women’s Aid is currently running a national campaign calling for the government to require local authorities to fund specific domestic abuse services for women and ensure that the £125m statutory duty in the Domestic Abuse Act reaches local specialist women’s domestic abuse services.  

Alongside the publication of the report, Women’s Aid is today launching a social media campaign #FlipTheSexistScript, calling for unlearning of gender stereotypes and the unpicking of social power imbalances. 

Farah Nazeer, chief executive at Women’s Aid said: 

“Our new research with the University of Bristol shows the extent to which gender stereotypes place the man in charge, cause power imbalances in the home and set the scene for domestic abuse.  

Female survivors described how their male partners held the view that as men, they should be the ones to make the decisions about the household. These decisions formed the basis of abusive and controlling behaviours — leaving women with no say in how the household is run and with an expectation for women to be sexually available and compliant. This is not what healthy, loving homes look like. Women’s bodies and lives do not belong to men. 

We need to build a world where harmful gender stereotypes and domestic abuse are no longer tolerated. To do this, we need to unlearn sexist gender stereotypes and unpick the power imbalances which are so engrained in our society. 

If the findings in today’s report have helped you spot the signs of an abusive relationship, please reach out for support. Women’s Aid is here for you.” 

Professor Marianne Hester, Chair in Gender, Violence & International Policy, School for Policy Studies, at University of Bristol said:  

“This work is really important. It provides new and detailed evidence about the way domestic abuse is perpetrated and justified by men in relationships with women. The research shows the importance of countering sexist stereotypes, as they underpin and normalize domestic abuse against women.” 

More about the research and campaign in this blog by Lizzie McCarthy and Sarah Davidge.

More about the Knowledge Exchange Fellowship in this blog by Emma Williamson and the team.