Men's violence against women in close relationships : A qualitative study regarding the underlying causes of violence and the treatment offered to the perpetrators of violence

The aim of this study is to gain and increase knowledge about intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence. The research questions we aim to answer are how professionals define violence, the causes behind why so many men use violence against their significant other and, furthermore, what kind of support and treatment those men can be offered. To answer these questions, we have made eight semi-structured qualitative interviews with respondents working with treatment for men who has used or still use violence against women in intimate partner relationships. The professionals represent different organizations connected to "Rikskriscentrum" and offer support and treatment for both men and women. The result of the study shows that all respondents define violence similary. Most of them use a quite wide definition showing that violence is so much more than just physical abuse. The support and treatment offered for intimate partner violence is described substantially similary too. Why many men use violence in their intimate partner relationships is the question who turned out to be most complex and hard to answer. We have discussed our main questions using theories about gender and the process of normalization in domestic violence. Our reasoning is also connected to a social context, often referred to as a socio-economic model.