Jealous.
Tries to isolate partner.
Tries to control partner.
Jekyll and Hyde personalities.
May have other legal problems.
Explosive temper; flies into outrage unpredictably.
Tells partner that problems are partner’s fault; projects own faults onto partner.
Verbal assaults in addition to physical assault: insults, put-downs, and slanderous names.
Possibly comes from a family where violence was practiced (over 70% of batterers).
May become more violent when partner is pregnant, or soon after giving birth .
Blames others, especially the victim for their actions.
Denies the physical abuse or its severity.
Will do whatever it takes to drive partner away, then whatever it takes to get them back.
Using the children, apologizing profusely, sending flowers, crying real tears, and promising anything. They will say what they know partner wants to believe: “I’ll go to church with you” or “I’ll never hit you again”
Long pattern is cyclical: one partner returns, prior behavior is repeated. There is no real long-lasting positive change.
Low self-esteem.
Threaten children (with voice or incest) to control partner.
Fosters dependence of the order and systematically undermines self esteem through criticism of partner’s cooking, parenting, thinking, talking, dressing, managing money, friends, etc.
May believe in rigid traditional sex roles and gender types.
95% are male: 5% are female.
Comes from all socio-economic levels, educational and ethnic/racial backgrounds and types of lifestyles.