Who should own abuse? The nature of, and factors associated with, wife-battering
ABSTRACT This article examines the nature of wife-battering and the factors that contribute to this violence. This examination is based on the findings of an empirical study conducted by Phokojoe-Niboye between 1992 and 1996 in Canberra, Australia. Despite the time lapsed since the study was conducted, the findings are still relevant to contemporary analysis of wife-battering. The discussion is based on an analysis of the different views of battered women/survivors, perpetrators and people who are engaged in service provision. The findings revealed that despite admissions to the contrary, alcohol and jealousy were the most common factors associated with wife- battering. It also became evident that the battered women and perpetrators grew up in violence-stricken families and even experienced some themselves, which could be a predictor of perpetration and tolerance of abuse by both perpetrators and battered women, respectively. In those families alcohol also played a major role in the violence between parents. However, those in service provision were of the view that there was no relationship between alcohol and wife-battering.