Can Women Be Abusive? Understanding Women's Use of Abuse, with Lisa Young Larance, Ph.D.

Imagine a woman who has endured emotional, physical, or sexual abuse for years. Her husband has isolated her from family and friends, restricted her finances, and harms her every day. If this woman then physically hurts her partner – is she seen as abusive?

Dr. Lisa Young Larance is a pioneer in the field of antiviolence intervention with extensive experience working with women who have used abuse in their relationships. On this episode of Unsilenced, Dr. Young Larance examines:

• The issue with the victim-offender binary
• Explains why programs designed for men who have used abuse will not work for women due to differences in socialization
• Offers insight into how society perceives victims of abuse who harm their partners
• And answers the question “Can Women Be Abusive?”

Content:

(0:00) Introduction

(2:02) Avoiding Stereotypes and History

(10:36) Why Programs for Men Won’t Work for Women

(15:44) The Issue with the Victim Offender Binary

(17:11) The “Lifetime” Victim

(18:51) Fear vs. Dread

(22:58) What is Coercive Control?

(27:36) Women’s Socialization Vs. Men’s Socialization

(29:07) Mandatory Arrest Laws

(31:50) How Society Views Women Who Fight Back

(36:07) Can Women Be Abusive?

(39:18) About JBWS & Resources

Find Dr. Young Larance's Book:

Broken: Women’s Stories of Intimate and Institutional Harm and Repair by Dr. Lisa Young Larance

Resources and Additional Information:

⁠Is Your Relationship Healthy? ⁠

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.SAFE (7233).

JBWS' 24-Hour Helpline: 1.877.782.2873

Support for those using abuse: jbws.org/jcnv

*Intro and outro music donated by Billy Morris