What does society think of a DV victim who fights back?

• A. They are seen as aggressive, deserving of being hit
• B. They are seen as cooperative and safe
• C. They are seen as a victim advocate
• D. They are seen as the predominant aggressor

Answer: (A)

Society often carries a harmful stereotype that a person who defends themselves in a domestic violence situation is the aggressor. This victim-blaming belief suggests that someone who fights back provokes the abuse or somehow deserves it, rather than recognizing self-defense as a legitimate response to imminent harm. In reality, self-defense is a lawful, protective action, but this bias can influence how people view the victim and can discourage reporting or seeking help. When law enforcement and responders assess DV cases, they should look for evidence of self-defense and safety needs rather than accept the stereotype of aggression. The other perspectives described don’t align with this common misperception: seeing the victim as cooperative and safe or as a victim advocate would depict support or advocacy, not the blame-oriented view; and labeling someone as the predominant aggressor is a legal determination, not the general societal reaction to a DV victim who fights back.