Both women and men suffer from domestic violence around the world. While domestic violence against women has received considerable research attention, domestic violence against men has been under-studied, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The limited data available from the National Family Safety Registry of Saudi Arabia and the National Society for Human Rights suggest that female-perpetrated domestic violence has been increasing in Saudi Arabia. This research therefore aims to understand the reasons why women commit violence against men in Saudi Arabia. The study uses a qualitative research method, using data obtained through semi-structured interviews conducted at a women’s prison in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with 30 women who were incarcerated for committing violence against men. Thematic analysis shows that participants in this study committed their offence due to two main reasons: self-defense and emancipatory longing. While some participants reported being abused and mistreated, leading them to commit violence to protect themselves, others reported actively using violence against men out of frustration and a desire to be free from oppressive patriarchal practices. The study also provides evidence that institutions can act as spaces of freedom for women frustrated with patriarchal practices and wanting freedom from oppression. Patriarchal practices can be a source of great frustration for women and can motivate them to commit violence. The Saudi government has taken steps to address such practices; however, for effective change to occur there remains a need for change in the societal mindset about the role of women.

男女都遭受世界范围内的家庭暴力。尽管针对妇女的家庭暴力受到了相当多的研究关注，但针对男性的家庭暴力却被研究不足，尤其是在沙特阿拉伯王国。沙特阿拉伯国家家庭安全登记处和国家人权协会提供的有限数据表明，沙特阿拉伯女性暴力行为在不断增加。因此，本研究旨在了解沙特阿拉伯妇女对男人施以暴力的原因。这项研究使用了定性研究方法，使用了在沙特阿拉伯利雅得女子监狱进行的半结构化访谈中获得的数据，其中有30名因对男性施行暴力而被监禁的妇女。主题分析表明，本研究的参与者有两个主要的原因犯了罪：自卫和解放渴望。一些参与者报告称受到虐待和虐待，导致他们实施暴力以保护自己，而另一些参与者则报告说，出于沮丧而积极使用针对男人的暴力行为，并渴望摆脱压迫性的父权制做法。这项研究还提供了证据，表明制度可以为那些因重男轻女的做法而受压迫而又希望摆脱压迫的妇女充当自由的空间。重男轻女的习俗可能会使妇女感到极大的挫败感，并可能激发她们实施暴力。沙特政府已采取措施解决这种做法；然而，为了发生有效的变化，仍然需要改变关于妇女作用的社会观念。