The Southern Hilltown (MA) Domestic Violence Task Force surveyed 326 people in nine rural communities, and will use the information to "launch an outreach and public education campaign beginning in January", according to the report on Gazettenet.com.
[Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force coordinator Monica] Moran said research has shown that perpetrators of abuse both over-estimate the number of people who share their attitudes, and they rely on those false beliefs to justify their behavior.
She said the task force aims to ensure that abusers are aware the community does not support or accept abusive behavior whether it is physical or emotional.
In addition, when people who are abused realize that few people actually blame them, advocates hope they will find it easier to reach out for help and be less likely to remain silent for fear of being blamed.
“When these misperceptions are corrected, attitudes and behaviors change, and that is how we can achieve a cultural shift on domestic violence,” Moran said.
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