There have been divergent social responses to the abuse of a child and intimate partner, although both forms of violence are witnessed within a family. As cases of domestic violence increasingly enter the courtrooms, the consequences of some of the actions threaten the well being and functioning of the family.
Whereas both women and men initiate violence, the violence caused by women is done less frequently and severe in comparison to their male counterparts. The feminist theory, in this regard, argues that women are directly associated with the patriarchal organization of society, which is showcased in the behavioural and attitudinal patterns towards women. Additionally, masculinity is described as being controlling and authoritative, where a feminist approach contends the significance of the gender inequality as a compelling factor towards violence. In the same manner, the social learning theory advocates that behavioural learning is a major contributor of learning, whereby aggressive behaviours can be adopted as a consequence of indirect or direct experience as an anticipated reaction from others.

Intimate partner violence and battering often result in negative effects such as poor health and poor quality of life. Arguably, such violence is associated with increased injury, mortality and disability, substance abuse, chronic pain and reproductive disorder. Additionally, women exposed to such violence by their partners show psychological consequence such as thoughts, higher levels of emotional stress, suicide and/or sexual violence. Domestic Violence necessitates the need to have proactive strategies to reduce such occurrence, whereby involving efforts that reduce violence is important.