New Zealand Medical Journal 118(1225), 11 November 2005

This article examines research claims that women's violence towards men is equivalent to men's violence towards women and explains why study outcomes claiming equal violence must not be accepted at face value. Unfortunately, the media are quick to exploit research reports that appear to show women and men are equally violent, and while such reports contradict the observations of experienced medical workers, police, court personnel, and Women's Refuge workers, they do influence public perceptions and may undermine policies designed to prevent and reduce male partner violence against women. The author analyses several New Zealand research reports, exploring how the research outcomes are misrepresented.