OF WHOM ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? CHARACTERIZATION OF MEN ACCUSED OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN A CAPITAL FROM THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL

Abstract

There is little information regarding the characterization of men accused of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in southern Brazil, specifically concerning sociodemographic data, beliefs about women, the use of violence as a conflict resolution strategy, and aggressiveness. This study aims to characterize and associate characteristics of these men in order to understand and describe the population of men accused under the Maria da Penha Law in a central court of a capital city in southern Brazil. This research includes 68 participants and uses data from a sociodemographic questionnaire and scales to assess aggressiveness, distorted thoughts about women and the use of violence in conflict resolution, and the attribution of responsibility for their IPV acts. The results demonstrated associations between sociodemographic data and all three observed constructs that affect the phenomenon of IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) in the participants. However, the associations between aggressiveness and age group, aggressiveness and education level, aggressiveness and religious affiliation, aggressiveness and the number of cases under the Maria da Penha Law (domestic violence law) involving other women, responsibility for their IPV actions and the number of cases under the Maria da Penha Law involving the victim, responsibility for their actions and education level, and distorted thoughts about women and the use of violence and length of relationship with the victim stand out. Further studies are needed for a more accurate description of the studied population.