Last week while speaking to about 50 convicted domestic violence perpetrators I was reminded how far our society has to go in eradicating violence in general and more specifically intimate partner violence. The group of people I was speaking to were all convicted and court mandated to attend this two hour one evening panel.
They hear from a law enforcement officer, a perpetrator counselor, a graduate of the perpetrator counseling program and myself on the topic of domestic violence.
So, here's one of the questions that was asked that evening. If a man and a woman are in an intimate relationship and having an argument, both of them agree to go out in the alley and fight it out, is that domestic violence? If both parties agreed ahead of time?
Here's the simple answer: YES
To borrow a phrase "There is no excuse for abuse."
Pamela
