--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every aspect of the multipronged legal…" description: "\"“Every aspect of the multipronged legal system even today is dominated by males: police, prosecutors, judges, probation officers. In addition, the stat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ab/lundy-bancroft-6837_legal-system_every-aspect-of-the-multipronged-legal-s_641486.jpg" --- # Every aspect of the multipronged legal system even today… ![“Every aspect of the multipronged legal system even today is dominated by males: police, prosecutors, judges, probation officers. In addition, the state legislatures that make the laws are still disproportionately male. So how does the abuser come to the far-fetched conclusion that women are…” quote by Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ab/lundy-bancroft-6837_legal-system_every-aspect-of-the-multipronged-legal-s_641486.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ab/lundy-bancroft-6837_legal-system_every-aspect-of-the-multipronged-legal-s_641486.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ab/lundy-bancroft-6837_legal-system_every-aspect-of-the-multipronged-legal-s_641486.jpg) > ““Every aspect of the multipronged legal system even today is dominated by males: police, prosecutors, judges, probation officers. In addition, the state legislatures that make the laws are still disproportionately male. So how does the abuser come to the far-fetched conclusion that women are somehow lurking in the shadows, pulling strings to cause him to suffer consequences for his actions when he thinks there shouldn’t be any? This absurd leap occurs for two reasons. One is that he already has wellentrenched habits of blaming women for his own behavior. So when society sends him the message that he is responsible for what he does, he just widens the scope of his blame-projecting machine to target all women. The second is that if he didn’t blame women, he would have to accept the fact that a large proportion of men are opposed to what he is doing. Cultural values are changing, slowly but surely, and abusers cannot always count on other men to back them up anymore—a fact that makes them feel betrayed so they close their eyes to it.”” [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that men dominate legal and political power, and abusive men blame women to avoid confronting their own responsibility and the growing opposition from other men. **In simple terms:** Abusers blame women to avoid guilt and because men hold most power. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge gendered power structures. Themes gender power abuse responsibility culture Mood frustrated critical Type analytical explanatory When to use this quote - legal reform - relationship counseling - education programs - men’s support groups Key Concepts patriarchy blame shifting social accountability Questions to Reflect On - How do power imbalances shape blame? - What can societies do to hold abusers accountable? A Different Perspective Abusers may rationalize blame despite evidence of systemic inequality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuser/) [Legal system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legal-system/) ## Related quotes > [Women want to control other women because they've been controlled themselves. It's a cycle of control. I'm not blaming women for that, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/women-want-to-control-other-women-because-they-ve-been-controlled/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [When I talk about divorce, I am not blaming the women I've married. It's not their fault.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/when-i-talk-about-divorce-i-am-not-blaming-the-women-i-ve-married-it/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [“But instead of blaming women for not negotiating more, we need to recognize that women often have good cause to be reluctant to advocate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/but-instead-of-blaming-women-for-not-negotiating-more-we-need-to/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [I'm not blaming men, I'm not blaming women. What's gone by has already gone by. It's history. It's done. There is no right or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-m-not-blaming-men-i-m-not-blaming-women-what-s-gone-by-has-already/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [It's part of the strategy to remind people who Hillary Rodham Clinton actually is. If others aren't going to hold her account for her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/it-s-part-of-the-strategy-to-remind-people-who-hillary-rodham-clinton/) [Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/) > [Blaming women is always in fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/blaming-women-is-always-in-fashion/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [“Although the typical abusive man works to maintain a positive public image, it is true that some women have abusive partners who are nasty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/although-the-typical-abusive-man-works-to-maintain-a-positive-public/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“THE ABUSER’S PROBLEM IS NOT THAT HE RESPONDS INAPPROPRIATELY TO CONFLICT. HIS ABUSIVENESS IS OPERATING PRIOR TO THE CONFLICT: IT USUALLY CREATES THE CONFLICT,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-abuser-s-problem-is-not-that-he-responds-inappropriately-to/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“Have you ever heard a woman claim that the reason why she is chronically mistreating her male partner is because a previous man abused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/have-you-ever-heard-a-woman-claim-that-the-reason-why-she-is/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“A home where a woman is abused is a small-scale model of much larger oppressive systems that work in remarkably similar ways. Many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/a-home-where-a-woman-is-abused-is-a-small-scale-model-of-much-larger/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“Almost no abuser is mean or frightening all the time. At least occasionally, he is loving, gentle, and humorous and perhaps even capable of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/almost-no-abuser-is-mean-or-frightening-all-the-time-at-least/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“He knows he used to be able to control you with charm, affection and promises. He also remembers how well intimidation or aggression worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/he-knows-he-used-to-be-able-to-control-you-with-charm-affection-and/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“The symptoms of abuse are there, and the woman usually sees them: the escalating frequency of put-downs. Early generosity turning more and more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-symptoms-of-abuse-are-there-and-the-woman-usually-sees-them-the/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“The woman knows from living with the abusive man that there are no simple answers. Friends say: “He’s mean.” But she knows many ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-woman-knows-from-living-with-the-abusive-man-that-there-are-no/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“When people conclude that anger causes abuse, they are confusing cause and effect. Ray was not abusive because he was angry; he was angry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/when-people-conclude-that-anger-causes-abuse-they-are-confusing-cause/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) ## More by Lundy Bancroft > [But whether you stay or go, the critical decision you can make is to stop letting your partner distort the lens of your life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/but-whether-you-stay-or-go-the-critical-decision-you-can-make-is-to/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“On some level he hopes that his ability to transport you sexually will tie you to him, so that he can have power over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/on-some-level-he-hopes-that-his-ability-to-transport-you-sexually/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“When people conclude that anger causes abuse, they are confusing cause and effect. Ray was not abusive because he was angry; he was angry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/when-people-conclude-that-anger-causes-abuse-they-are-confusing-cause/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“Abuse doesn’t come from people’s inability to resolve conflicts but from one person’s decision to claim a higher status than another. So while it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/abuse-doesn-t-come-from-people-s-inability-to-resolve-conflicts-but/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [Few people are aware of the severe human rights violations committed daily by family court judges across the country. These courts are siding over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/few-people-are-aware-of-the-severe-human-rights-violations-committed/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“The woman knows from living with the abusive man that there are no simple answers. Friends say: “He’s mean.” But she knows many ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-woman-knows-from-living-with-the-abusive-man-that-there-are-no/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“In short, the abusive mentality is the mentality of oppression.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/in-short-the-abusive-mentality-is-the-mentality-of-oppression/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“When we hear these kinds of excuses from a drunk, we assume they are exactly that—excuses. We don’t consider an active alcoholic a reliable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/when-we-hear-these-kinds-of-excuses-from-a-drunk-we-assume-they-are/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“Abuse is not his goal, but control is, and he finds himself using abuse to gain the control he feels he has a right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/abuse-is-not-his-goal-but-control-is-and-he-finds-himself-using-abuse/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“The central attitudes driving Rambo are: Strength and aggressiveness are good; compassion and conflict resolution are bad. Anything that could be even remotely associated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-central-attitudes-driving-rambo-are-strength-and-aggressiveness/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“HE ISN’T ABUSIVE BECAUSE HE IS ANGRY; HE’S ANGRY BECAUSE HE’S ABUSIVE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/he-isn-t-abusive-because-he-is-angry-he-s-angry-because-he-s-abusive/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“The symptoms of abuse are there, and the woman usually sees them: the escalating frequency of put-downs. Early generosity turning more and more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-symptoms-of-abuse-are-there-and-the-woman-usually-sees-them-the/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“ALCOHOL HAS NO BIOLOGICAL CONNECTION TO ABUSE OR VIOLENCE Alcohol does not directly make people belligerent, aggressive, or violent. There is evidence that certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/alcohol-has-no-biological-connection-to-abuse-or-violence-alcohol/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“The central attitudes driving the Terrorist are: You have no right to defy me or leave me. Your life is in my hands. Women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-central-attitudes-driving-the-terrorist-are-you-have-no-right-to/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“Boys’ aggressiveness is increasingly being treated as a medical problem, particularly in schools, a trend that has led to the diagnosing and medicating of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/boys-aggressiveness-is-increasingly-being-treated-as-a-medical/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) [Explore all 97 Lundy Bancroft quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) ## More Abuser quotes > [It's incredibly dangerous to leave an abuser, because the final step in the domestic violence pattern is: kill her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-morgan-steiner/it-s-incredibly-dangerous-to-leave-an-abuser-because-the-final-step/) [Leslie Morgan Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-morgan-steiner/) > [“Beating yourself up over every perceived mistake is the work of an internal abuser who must be restrained and reformed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/beating-yourself-up-over-every-perceived-mistake-is-the-work-of-an/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“When people conclude that anger causes abuse, they are confusing cause and effect. Ray was not abusive because he was angry; he was angry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/when-people-conclude-that-anger-causes-abuse-they-are-confusing-cause/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“the abuser's desire to abuse is not created by the child - it is there before the child appears”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-ainscough/the-abuser-s-desire-to-abuse-is-not-created-by-the-child-it-is-there/) [Carolyn Ainscough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-ainscough/) > [“A psychological abuser will find a survivor’s emotional soft spots and exploit them for control and entertainment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/a-psychological-abuser-will-find-a-survivor-s-emotional-soft-spots/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“I'm still not sure if I was a victim or not... and if I was, who was my abuser?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eskay-teel/i-m-still-not-sure-if-i-was-a-victim-or-not-and-if-i-was-who-was-my/) Eskay Teel > [“The woman knows from living with the abusive man that there are no simple answers. Friends say: “He’s mean.” But she knows many ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-woman-knows-from-living-with-the-abusive-man-that-there-are-no/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [Cocaine was different. It kept saying, "You haven't had enough." I became an abuser almost instantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/cocaine-was-different-it-kept-saying-you-haven-t-had-enough-i-became/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Feminism exists so that no woman ever has to face her abuser in isolation, alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-dworkin/feminism-exists-so-that-no-woman-ever-has-to-face-her-abuser-in/) [Andrea Dworkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-dworkin/) > [“In situations of captivity the perpetrator becomes the most powerful person in the life of the victim, and the psychology of the victim is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-lewis-herman/in-situations-of-captivity-the-perpetrator-becomes-the-most-powerful/) [Judith Lewis Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-lewis-herman/) > [ The getting out part \[of advise\] may well be true. Because if you have tried the tender love thing... typically the abuser is not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/the-getting-out-part-of-advise-may-well-be-true-because-if-you-have/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [“He who can deliberately inflict torture upon an animal, in order to heighten the pleasure his palate is to receive in eating it, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cobbett/he-who-can-deliberately-inflict-torture-upon-an-animal-in-order-to/) [William Cobbett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cobbett/) > [“The symptoms of abuse are there, and the woman usually sees them: the escalating frequency of put-downs. Early generosity turning more and more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-symptoms-of-abuse-are-there-and-the-woman-usually-sees-them-the/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“When an abuser gaslights, he or she sets up situations to make the target doubt their own memories and assessments of situations. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/when-an-abuser-gaslights-he-or-she-sets-up-situations-to-make-the/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [“He knows he used to be able to control you with charm, affection and promises. He also remembers how well intimidation or aggression worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/he-knows-he-used-to-be-able-to-control-you-with-charm-affection-and/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) [Browse all 82 Abuser quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuser/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Every aspect of the multipronged legal system even today is dominated by males: police, prosecutors, judges, probation officers. In addition, the state legislatures that make the laws are still disproportionately male. So how does the abuser come to the far-fetched conclusion that women are somehow lurking in the shadows, pulling strings to cause him to suffer consequences for his actions when he thinks there shouldn’t be any? This absurd leap occurs for two reasons. One is that he already has wellentrenched habits of blaming women for his own behavior. So when society sends him the message that he is responsible for what he does, he just widens the scope of his blame-projecting machine to target all women. The second is that if he didn’t blame women, he would have to accept the fact that a large proportion of men are opposed to what he is doing. 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