1 in 5 women initiated violence against a violent partner

Yet, with White Ribbon Day tomorrow, all we hear about is "domestic violence against women and children."

Last week TV3 reported on new analysis of data from a decade ago:

"....19 percent of the women surveyed said they initiated violence against their violent partner even though they were not being hit at the time.

Those who did were also more likely to have witnessed their mothers being beaten by their fathers, or experienced abuse at the hands of a previous partner.

Women or partners with alcoholic problems and women with recreational drug use also increases the likelihood of them initiating violence, the study revealed."

Some people believe women are becoming more violent which would suggest a higher incidence ten years later.

As I wrote last week, partner violence is often a two-way street. The broad-brush painting of women as victims and men as perpetrators is dishonest. The reality is far more nuanced.