| Abstract |
[Truncated abstract] Domestic violence is an emotive social issue crossing all societal groups. This study presents an analysis of the influence of cultural background on an individual’s perceptions of domestic violence. The research addresses differences and similarities in the perception of domestic violence in males of two distinct cultures in Perth, Wester Australia. Using a qualitative approach, it investigates perceptions of domestic violence amongst males in three groups: ten Anglo-Australians, ten short-term Middle-Easterners and ten long-term Middle-Easterners, all of whom participated in interviews for this study. The in-depth interviews with all participants helped unravel the complexity of a phenomenon that evokes feelings of shame and embarrassment across many societies. Male perceptions of domestic violence between Anglo-Australians and Middle-Easterners, are similar. The types of behaviour defined as domestic violence by the tow cultures do not differ; they range across physical, emotional, psychological, economic and social abuse. Interviews with Sunni Imams and Catholic Priests reinforced this finding and suggest that cultural background does not play a major role in the types of domestic violence present in their respective populations... |
