MYTH #1 The battered woman syndrome affects only a small percentage of the population.
FACT Fifty percent (50%) of all women will be battering victims at one time or another. Only one 1 in ten or more assaults are reported.
MYTH #2 Battered women are masochistic. They "deserve" or "like" to be beaten.
FACT No one likes to be beaten. Survival causes some battered women to develop masochistic traits. Bettering happens because a betterer loses control, not because of anything a woman does or doesn't do.
MYTH #3 Battered women are crazy.
FACT Surviving as an abused woman can cause a woman to behave in ways that appear crazy or bizarre.
MYTH #4 Battered women come only from lower-income, uneducated, minority groups.
FACT Battered women come from all races, religions, and education and socio-economic levels.
MYTH #5 Religious beliefs will prevent battering.
FACT While religious beliefs can provide support for an abused woman, praying will not stop the beating.
MYTH #6 Batterers are violent in all their relationships.
FACT Only 20% of batterers are violent in all relationships. Most batterers are not violent with anyone other than their wife or partner, whom they see as their property.
MYTH #7 Batterers are unsuccessful and lack resources to cope with the world.
FACT As a group, batterers are indistinguishable from any other group of men in terms of capabilities. They do lack self-control and are usually insecure about their masculinity. Therefore they need to control.
MYTH #8 Drinking causes battering problems.
FACT Much battering behavior is associated with drinking. Many of the men drink to calm their anxieties. Many men who batter do not use alcohol or drugs. The drinking is an excuse for the battering by both parties.
MYTH #9 Batterers are psychopathic personalities.
FACT Unlike the psychopath, most batterers feel guilt and shame at their uncontrollable actions.
MYTH #10 Police can protect the battered woman.
FACT Only 10% of battering victims call the police, yet 25% of police homocides occur on domestic violence calls. Most women will not call the police because of guilt or social concerns or fear of retribution.
