Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Abusive and Controlling Men

Lundy Bancroft

Putnam's Sons, 2002 - Psychology - 408 pages

In this groundbreaking book, domestic violence expert Lundy Bancroft uses his unique perspective as a therapist for abusive and controlling men to help women, their children, and other family members who have been touched by abuse understand why abusers behave the way they do and what can be done about it. Bancroft teaches women how to survive and improve an abusive relationship; how to determine how dangerous an abuser is and when it is impossible to rectify a situation; and how to get out of a relationship safely.

Bancroft identifies nine types of abusive men, addressing different styles, from the physical batterer to the strictly verbal abuser. He dispels the pervasive societal myths surrounding abuse, exposing common excuses used by abusers, such as having experienced an abusive childhood or substance addiction. Bancroft answers commonly asked questions, such as what warning signs of abuse to look for early in a relationship; what is and isn't abusive behavior; how to know if a woman and her children are in danger; and how to tell when a man is really changing.

Why Does He Do That? gets to the heart of abusive men's thoughts and behaviors, making it a vital resource for victims of domestic violence, their families, and professionals. This empowering book gives women the tools they need to get back in control of their own lives.

What people are saying

Review: Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men

User Review  - Deirdre - Goodreads

Had no idea that I was in an,abusive marriage till I here's this book. I just remember reading this book and feeling that Lundy Bancroft had somehow been writing about ME. I had believed all the ...

Review: Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men

User Review  - Angie Martin - Goodreads

This is an excellent book that details and gives insight into exactly what an angry, abusive man really is and what constitutes abuse... this is not your typical "how to change your abusive partner ...

About the author

Lundy Bancroft has spent the last fifteen years of his career specializing in domestic abuse and the behavior of abusive men and is considered one of the world's experts on the subject. He is the author of journal articles on abuse that have appeared in The New England Journal of Medicine and The Journal of Contemporary Psychology. The former codirector at Emerge, the nation's first program for abusive men, Bancroft now practices in Massachusetts while training various state and judicial agencies in dealing with domestic abuse situations.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Abusive and Controlling Men
• Author: Lundy Bancroft
• Publisher: Putnam's Sons, 2002
• ISBN: 0399148442, 9780399148446
• Length: 408 pages
• Subjects: Psychology / Emotions; Psychology / Movements / General