What is it about?
This study looks at how people judge cases of intimate partner violence when both partners are abusive—a situation called bidirectional abuse. It explores whether gender stereotypes affect how victims and perpetrators are labeled, using both an experiment with the public and interviews with future forensic psychologists.
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Why is it important?
Most public and professional views of partner abuse assume men are perpetrators and women are victims. But in reality, many abusive relationships involve violence from both partners. If gender bias shapes judgements, it can lead to unfair or ineffective responses in law, therapy, and training. This research highlights the need to challenge these assumptions in forensic psychology education.
Perspectives
This paper was an opportunity to question deeply ingrained narratives about gender and violence. It showed how even well-intentioned professionals can unconsciously apply stereotypes, which has real-world consequences for justice and rehabilitation. For me, it reinforces the importance of evidence-based training that helps practitioners see beyond cultural scripts.
DR DOMINIC A PEARSON
University of Portsmouth
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Are Judgments of Partner Abuse “Rose Tinted”? An Exploration of Judgments of Gender in Bidirectional Intimate Partner Violence, Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice, October 2024, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/24732850.2024.2415315.
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