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How do victim-blaming and patriarchal attitudes affect the punishment of perpetrators of domestic violence?

Loria Sarten

Oh boy, strap in because we're about to have a real talk about domestic violence, victim-blaming, and the patriarchy. Let's jump right in!

First of all, for those who might not know, victim-blaming is when someone suggests that the victim of a crime or abuse is somehow responsible for what happened to them. This can take a lot of different forms - think of things like "well, she was wearing a short skirt, what did she expect?" or "why did they stay in that relationship if it was so bad?" Victim-blaming perpetuates harmful attitudes and beliefs about victims and survivors of abuse, and ultimately makes it harder for them to access safety, justice, and support.

Now, on to patriarchy. At its simplest, patriarchy refers to a social system in which men hold more power and privilege than women. This manifests in a lot of different ways, from the workplace to the home to our cultural narratives and media. When it comes to domestic violence, patriarchy can create a situation where male abusers are more likely to be taken seriously, believed, or even excused because of their gender. This is also tied in with larger cultural beliefs about masculinity and femininity - think of the stereotype of men as aggressive and dominant, while women are passive and submissive.

So how do victim-blaming and patriarchal attitudes affect the punishment of perpetrators of domestic violence? Unfortunately, the answer isn't a straightforward one. There are a lot of ways in which these harmful attitudes can play out, depending on who is involved and how the abuse was perpetrated.

For example, if a woman reports her male partner for abuse, but is met with disbelief or blame from authorities, this can make it much less likely that the abuser will face serious consequences. If the abuser is a man, he may be more likely to be believed or excused because of broader societal attitudes about gender and power. If the victim stays in the abusive relationship, they may face criticism or judgment from friends or family who don't understand what they're going through or believe the stereotypes about victims of abuse.

It's also worth noting that the way these attitudes affect punishment can be different depending on other factors, like race, class, sexuality, and more. For example, Black women may face additional discrimination and stigma if they report abuse, while trans or non-binary survivors may struggle to access services that are geared towards cisgender women.

Ultimately, though, it's clear that victim-blaming and patriarchal attitudes can have a serious impact on how abusers are punished for their actions - or if they are punished at all. That's why it's so important to challenge these harmful attitudes wherever we see them, whether that's on social media or in our own communities. By speaking out and supporting survivors, we can work towards a world where domestic violence is taken seriously and abusers are held accountable for their actions.