What percent range of offenders who batter their spouses will also batter their children?

• A. 10-20%
• B. 20-40%
• C. 30-60%
• D. 60-80%

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is the overlap between intimate partner violence and child abuse. In many families where someone is battering a spouse, children in the same household are also at risk of abuse. Research across different settings consistently shows a substantial portion of partner batterers also abusing children. The best-supported range is about 30% to 60%. This reflects that while not every batterer abuses children, a meaningful share do, due to factors like learned aggression, using violence to exert control, and household stress. A lower estimate such as 10-20% underestimates the link, while a higher one like 60-80% overstates it and isn’t consistently observed. So, 30-60% aligns with the evidence.