Women Can Be the Aggressors in Domestic Violence Cases

You’ve probably heard that domestic violence is primarily committed by men against women. While that may be true statistically, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Too often, heterosexual relationships marred by violence automatically peg the man as the perpetrator and the woman as the victim. However, modern research shows domestic violence occurs in all kinds of relationships, and women can be aggressors as well.

As your Miami criminal defense attorneys, we believe everyone deserves fair judgment regardless of gender. We also believe education can prevent future violence. We want to have an open discussion about the myths and facts around intimate partner violence because assumptions about these situations can ruin lives. A false accusation can land an innocent person in jail while allowing the real aggressor to walk free. A lack of awareness often bars victims of both genders from getting help.

Domestic Violence is Not Just a “Women’s Issue”

When we think about domestic violence, we often envision angry, abusive men lashing out at their frightened wives or girlfriends. Movies, TV crime shows, and other media typically portray these situations from the female perspective only. Consequently, it’s easy to assume domestic violence is primarily a women’s issue rather than one that impacts both genders.

Men can also experience violence from intimate partners. The CDC’s overview of intimate partner violence against men reports that about one in three men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. These findings show why a person’s sex should never be used to dismiss a report of abuse. They do not establish who was the aggressor in a particular case.

Gender Bias Clouds Judgment of Domestic Violence Cases

Men who experience abuse may face barriers when seeking help. A study of 302 men who sought help for violence by female partners found that their experiences varied across sources of support, with the least positive experiences reported within the domestic violence service system. The study helps explain why some male victims struggle to get support, but its findings should not be treated as a measure of how police handle every domestic violence call.

In Florida, section 741.29(5) requires officers to evaluate each complaint separately when two or more people make complaints. When both parties complain, or officers have probable cause to believe more than one person committed an offense, officers must try to identify the primary aggressor. The law makes arrest the preferred response for the primary aggressor and treats reasonable acts of self-defense differently.

When police fail to recognize who actually started the violence, a person who was only trying to protect himself may still end up arrested. These cases often involve the difficult line between self-defense and domestic violence charges, especially when officers arrive after the incident and must make a quick decision based on limited information.

Female Aggressors Can Cause Serious Harm

Make no mistake – although men commit more extreme acts of violence statistically, women can also be dangerous aggressors in abusive relationships. Female abusers who feel threatened or want control may act out violently against their male partners. And they can cause very serious harm with weapons, objects, or their own bodies. Some examples of violence women may use against their partners include:

  • Pushing, punching, slapping, kicking
  • Scratching that draws blood
  • Biting that breaks the skin
  • Hitting or stabbing with objects
  • Throwing dangerous items
  • Choking, burning, strangulation
  • Using guns or knives

An injury’s location or appearance does not, by itself, establish who started an attack or whether someone acted in self-defense. Each case requires a close look at the evidence, including photographs, medical records, witness accounts, and the events leading up to the use of force.

False Accusations Impact the Innocent

Even more troubling is when conflict arises, an abusive woman attempts to shield herself from punishment by being the first to call the police and file a false report. They may claim the man attempted to assault or strangle them, and their frightened emotional state lends credibility. Oftentimes, police tend to dismiss anything the man says in his defense.

Knowingly giving false information to a law enforcement officer about an alleged crime can violate Florida Statute § 837.05. A dismissal or acquittal alone does not prove that the person who reported the incident knowingly lied. Even so, a false accusation can expose an innocent person to arrest, legal costs, and harm to work and family life.

These unjust results further demonstrate why gender bias is so dangerous in domestic violence intervention. Police and the justice system should objectively weigh evidence case-by-case rather than automatically favoring one gender’s account. And both male and female victims of violence by intimate partners need their stories heard without judgment or assumption.

What To Do If You’re the Victim as a Man

If you find yourself the victim of domestic violence by a female partner, it’s essential to discreetly take steps to document evidence and get help right away. This includes:

  • Taking photos of injuries inflicted by your partner for documentation
  • Getting promptly examined and treated by a doctor
  • Calling 911 immediately if fearful for your safety
  • Speaking with an attorney about available protection, including whether you qualify for a domestic violence injunction
  • Securing alternative lodging if needing to leave a shared residence

Having an advocate and legal guidance can help male victims safely navigate out of dangerous domestic situations. It also helps counter gender biases by building an evidence-based case against a violent offender.

Abuse Can Happen to Anyone: Break the Stereotypes

Domestic violence continues to impact American homes today severely. Yet biased assumptions still lean toward pegging the man as the aggressor by default. Instead, your criminal defense team believes that judgment should remain neutral until all case facts are weighed without gender influence. Whether lesbian, gay, heterosexual, or some other orientation – abuse happens across all kinds of intimate relationships. No victim’s gender or story deserves priority over another.

Contact an Experienced Domestic Violence Lawyer

If you are a man wrongly accused by a partner, get legal help with your defense against domestic violence accusations as soon as possible.

A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer can carefully evaluate the accusations against you and build a strong counter-case highlighting contradictory evidence. They understand how to stand up to gender stereotypes that too often taint perceptions in these situations. An attorney can also advise you on practical steps like documenting your injuries, securing witnesses to events, and avoiding actions that could wrongly implicate you further.

While terrifying and unjust, remaining calm and getting experienced counsel on your side offers the best chance at preventing wrongful conviction and sentence. False accusations cut deeply, but the truth still matters in our justice system when actively defended. If a partner has wrongly accused you, share your full story with a skilled legal advocate today.

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