Men And Women Define Domestic Violence Differently

Men are Less Likely to Define Means of Psychological Control As Abusive Behavior According to Liz Claiborne Inc. Survey

NEW YORK, NY - (July 1, 1997) - Is it abuse if a man punches, hits or strikes a woman? How about if he prevents her from seeing her family or friends? What if he tells her what she can and can't wear? A recent survey commissioned by Liz Claiborne Inc.'s "Women's Work" program reveals that men and women don't entirely agree in the way they define abusive behaviors.

While equal numbers of the men and women surveyed agreed that acts of physical violence toward a woman (99%) and threats of such violence (96%) are abuse, men are less likely than women to include behaviors such as "telling her what clothes she can or cannot wear" or "refusing to give her money when she asks for it or needs it" in their definitions of domestic abuse.

Only one-third (33 percent) of the men surveyed said that controlling what a woman wears is definitely abuse, while over 50 percent of the women said that it "definitely" is a form of abuse. A similar difference is seen in the views of men and women on whether a man is guilty of abuse if he refuses to give his wife or girlfriend money. Only 24 percent of men and 37 percent of women say that this behavior is "definitely" abuse, and 54 percent of men and 74 percent of women say that this behavior is "probably" abuse.

"Despite the extensive media attention given to relationship violence over the past three years, we find Americans, particularly men, are still struggling to define psychological control as abusive behavior," said Esta Soler, executive director, Family Violence Prevention Fund. "As more people learn about abuse, they will realize that men use both physical and psychological means to gain control of women."

Americans Agree Domestic Violence Against Women is a Major Problem

Despite the differences in their definitions of domestic violence, more than three-quarters (77 percent) of the public agree that domestic violence against women is one of the "major" problems facing our country. About one-out-of-five (21 percent) of those surveyed dismiss it as being only a "minor problem" and about one-out-of-50 (2 percent) say that it is "not really a problem at all."

However, women are significantly more concerned about the issue than men -- 85 percent of women describe domestic violence as a major problem, compared with just 69 percent of men.

"As these survey findings show, Americans are aware that domestic violence is a serious problem facing our country. But, that is only half of the battle," said Jane Randel, director, Liz Claiborne Inc.'s "Women's Work" domestic violence awareness, education and prevention program. "We believe everyone must take action to help prevent domestic violence in our society, including friends, family members and employers." Most Americans Know Someone Involved in Domestic Violence

More than half (56 percent) of Americans say they have at least one friend, relative or co-worker who they know has been involved in domestic violence -- either a woman who has been a victim or a man they feel has been guilty of it.

The survey found little difference in the number of men (54 percent) and women (59 percent) who personally know someone they believe has been involved in an abusive relationship.

"Women's Work"

Through its Women's Work program, Liz Claiborne Inc. has been addressing the issue of domestic violence for over six years. The program's awareness and education campaign has included billboards, radio announcements, posters, brochures, partnerships with local retailers and community groups. Last year, the company worked with its advertising agency Gotham, Inc. to develop public service announcements (PSAs) positioning high profile college football players as icons of masculinity who discouraged men from participating in relationship violence or tolerating it in others. Liz Claiborne Inc. is continuing this effort by producing a series of radio PSAs using well-known male recording artists to reinforce the message that men should speak out against relationship violence.

This survey was conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,011 adults -- half men/half women -- across the country. Interviews were conducted during the period of April 24 - April 27, 1997.