Viewers of a BBC Three documentary which looked at the rise of female violence have taken to Twitter to criticise the show for offering excuses for the perpetrators.

The Rise of Female Violence, which aired last night at 9pm, aimed to highlight society's skewed perceptions of female-on-male violence versus-male-on female violence.

But by offering alcohol and 'low self respect' as reasons behind women's violent behaviour, people took to Twitter to argue: 'People don't look for all these excuses when a man attacks a woman. So why are we making excuses for women's bad behaviour?'

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Viewers of a BBC Three documentary The Rise of Female Violence, which aired last night at 9pm, have taken to Twitter to criticise the show for offering excuses for the perpetrators, including drinking on nights out

Offering alcohol and 'low self respect' as reasons behind women's violent behaviour Tweeters argued 'People don't look for all these excuses when a man attacks a woman. So why are we making excuses for women's bad behaviour?'

Holly Hunt thought the show was good for highlighting the issue, she added she was, 'Disappointed that it was sympathetic towards abusers! Males wouldn't have that luxury'

The programme, presented by BBC reporter Alys Harte, looked at women who beat their boyfriends, those involved in drunken brawls and teenage girl gangs to find out if females are getting angrier and, if so, why.

But the show has been criticised for offering excuses for women who act violently.

'There's one obvious factor to blame: more of us girls are drinking heavily,' says Alys over footage of 'two for one' offers at bars and a waitress on the dancefloor selling a tray of Jaegerbombs.

'I feel like #riseoffemaleviolence is just blaming alcohol. Sure it makes you violent but some women don't need booze to make them violent,' Tweeted Charlie Adams.

Alys spoke to Izzy for whom 'getting drunk and getting into fights has become a way of life'. Aged 24, she reckon she has around 30 convictions for alcohol-related violence

Referring to 24-year-old Izzy Ash Lucas Tweeted, 'If you react in such a violent way when you drink booze, that's clearly a sign to stop boozing'

'I feel like #riseoffemaleviolence is just blaming alcohol. Sure it makes you violent but some women don't need booze to make them violent,' said Charlie Adams

Chloe B agreed: 'Why is it always blamed on alcohol? Downing 3 blue WKDs is no excuse for vile behaviour.'

Alys spoke to Izzy for whom 'getting drunk and getting into fights has become a way of life'.

Aged 24, she reckon she has around 30 convictions for alcohol-related violence, and her problem started when she attended university.

But Tweeters were unsympathetic.

'If you're violent when drunk, why would you continue to drink?' asked Rose Jessica, later adding: 'The solution would be to stop drinking alcohol?'

Ash Lucas agreed: 'If you react in such a violent way when you drink booze, that's clearly a sign to stop boozing', while Just Jorden offered up the obvious, 'Maybe.... maybe you should STOP DRINKING Izzy!'

And it wasn't just alcohol that took the blame. The show took hefty chunks of time looking at the reasons behind female violence.

'Behind the story of every violent woman there's a story of low self respect or self harm,' said Alys.

And it wasn't just alcohol that took the blame. The show took hefty chunks of time looking at the reasons behind female violence. Chloe Price complained, 'I wish we'd heard more from victims instead of trying to explain away the perpetrator's vile behaviour'

Audrey accused the show of claiming female violence had 'nothing to do with personal responsibility but all to do with external causes/issues'

And this in particular riled Tweeters as it made the show appear to view the female perpetrators in a more sympathetic light.

'People don't look for all these excuses when a man attacks a woman. So why are we making excuses for women's bad behaviour?' asked Kay Whittle.

While Holly Hunt thought the show was good for highlighting the issue, she added she was, 'Disappointed that it was sympathetic towards abusers! Males wouldn't have that luxury.'

Audrey accused the show of claiming female violence had 'nothing to do with personal responsibility but all to do with external causes/issues' and Chloe Price complained, 'I wish we'd heard more from victims instead of trying to explain away the perpetrator's vile behaviour.'

As women account for 15 per cent of arrests in England and Wales, but less than five per cent of the prison population, the programme also asked if females get off more lightly than males when it comes to punishment.

Alys followed the case of Crystal Smith, who was accused of attempted murder after she stabbed her husband Simon (pictured). Crystal was found guilty of the lesser charges of wounding with intent and grievous bodily harm, and sentenced to nine years in prison.

'Wounding with intent and GBH? Seriously? She tried to kill him!' protested Christina Healey

The programme asked if females get off more lightly than males when it comes to punishment. Grace Payton think so. She stated, 'I think the law should be tougher on women, they shouldn't be allowed to get away with such horrific crimes'

Alys followed the case of Crystal Smith, who was accused of attempted murder after she stabbed her husband Simon.

Crystal was found guilty of the lesser charges of wounding with intent and grievous bodily harm, and sentenced to nine years in prison.

'Wounding with intent and GBH? Seriously? She tried to kill him!' protested Christina Healey.

While Grace Payton stated, 'I think the law should be tougher on women, they shouldn't be allowed to get away with such horrific crimes.'

Flowers ‏had '*hugs*' for Simon who was stabbed by his wife, thanking him for sharing his story and praising BB3 for highlighting the issue

Indeed, a number of Tweeters felt the documentary was a needed one. 'Domestic violence against men is a big yet often hidden issue. Well done #bbc3 for highlighting #femaleviolence,' said Laura Nelson

Meanwhile Saffron and Alastair Sloan appeared to have their minds changed by the documentary. Saffron called the show an 'unbelievable eye opener'...

... while Alastair Tweeted, 'Had written off female-on-male domestic violence as an anti-feminist fantasy. This BBC3 doc on #FemaleViolence suggests otherwise. Shocking.'

Flowers ‏had '*hugs*' for Simon, thanking him for sharing his story and praising BB3 for highlighting the issue.

Indeed, a number of Tweeters felt the documentary was a needed one.

'Domestic violence against men is a big yet often hidden issue. Well done #bbc3 for highlighting #femaleviolence,' said Laura Nelson

Meanwhile Saffron and Alastair Sloan appeared to have their minds changed by the documentary.

Saffron called the show an 'unbelievable eye opener', and Alastair Tweeted, 'Had written off female-on-male domestic violence as an anti-feminist fantasy. This BBC3 doc on #FemaleViolence suggests otherwise. Shocking.'