The Paradox of Powerlessness: Narratives of Violence Among Israeli Women Who Were Violent Towards Their Male Partners

This study investigates female-perpetrated violence through in-depth semi-structured interviews with nine Israeli women who had been physically and psychologically violent towards their male partners. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, two key themes emerged: “powerless victims” and “powerless perpetrators.” Participants described their behavior as erratic and out of control, rooted in a profound sense of lost self and powerlessness. Applying Simone de Beauvoir’s existentialist perspective, the findings reveal that these women felt ensnared by a victim mentality, which clouded their awareness of the harm they inflicted and obstructed their path to independence and self-reliance. Breaking free from oppression reveals a new path.