Domestic violence: An analysis of the deep-rooted causes and scope

Al Akhbar newspaper published a report about domestic violence which looked at this trend from the standpoint of various stakeholders even though the practice and results of violence remain similar.  The report dwells on the case of a woman abused by her brother who boasts about the violence he practiced against members of his family for many years and says that he has strived throughout his life to maintain the “unity” of his family.  The report also analyses various factors that lead to violent behavior within the family whilst noting that nothing excuses the perpetrator of violence as they have to bear the responsibility of their actions and no factor can be considered to be a direct cause of violence. According to the report, perpetrators of violence usually seek to control their victims and deal with them as objects.  Such people have low self esteem and are usually subdued vis-à-vis people whom they think are strong.
According to the report, violence is encouraged by many external factors mainly peer support and value.  Hence, it is important to understand the political, social, economic and educational sources which support, condone and protect domestic violence.  The report also provides illustrations of different forms of violence in Lebanon such as educational violence including moral and physical violence against students in schools, political violence through different forms of oppression, economic violence practiced by the state and holders of financial interests which usually collaborate to oppress economically-weak people, through for instance sabotaging the trade union movement for the review of the public salary scale.
Source: Al-Akhbar 5 September 2014