Acceptance of Victimisation of Pakistani Women from a Husband’s Aggressive and Controlling Behaviours

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate attitudes towards victimisation of women from domestic aggression and controlling behaviours in a Pakistani sample. Method: An electronic questionnaire was completed by 360 respondents, 194 females and 154 males. The mean age for females was 26.7 years (SD = 8.0) and 31.9 (SD = 9.3) for males, the age difference was significant. The questionnaire included four scales. Results: Males scored significantly higher on acceptance of victimisation of women from a husband’s aggression and controlling behaviours, the idea that women have themselves to blame for the domestic abuse they undergo, and that women should not divorce. In general, respondents with a low education scored highest on all four scales. For females, age correlated with acceptance of victimisation of women from a husband’s aggression, the idea that women have themselves to blame for the domestic abuse they undergo, and that women should not divorce, but not with acceptance of controlling behaviours. For males, age did not correlate with any of the scales in the study. Conclusions: The study shows that Pakistani males accepted victimisation and controlling of women to a higher degree than did the women themselves, and that a low educational level was associated with acceptance of aggression towards women. For females, but not for males, age correlated with acceptance of victimisation of women.