Since the late 1970s, the problem of male and female involvement in intimate partner violence has generated controversy, especially in the area of gender differences. Research on men’s and women’s use of intimate partner violence suggests that findings of gender differences are not universal. Research has also investigated behavioral and emotional reactions of men and women to their intimate partners’ initiated violence. This particular study highlights the various experiences of men and women in reacting to their partners’ initiated use of intimate partner violence, and with previous research indicating consistent overall gender differences, the study also evaluated whether such gender differences persist after using methods to highlight such variability. Participants consisted of 87 heterosexual men and 38 heterosexual women involved in court-ordered domestic violence abatement counseling. Measures utilized included clinical interviews and modified conflict tactics scale. The overall results of the study suggest that there is no one way people involved in a violent relationship react, behaviorally and emotionally, when their partners initiate violence against them. Despite its limitations, the study demonstrates that in the examination of women’s and men’s use and involvement in intimate partner violence, it is necessary to evaluate contextual issues such as violence impact. References