I suppose the term "domestic violence" could appear to be a mitigation. Violence is violence at the end of the day. But I imagine it is a distinction used for crime and various other social statistics which may be helpful to the agencies involved. It would, I guess, also assist women to gain emergency access to shelters.
As for men being predators, they always have been. The overwhelming majority of murders are committed by men whether in the home or by random strangers and applies to any country or culture. To say nothing of rape, sexual assault, paedophiles, torturing animals and gang violence. They are obviously the stronger sex but that doesn't explain their predisposition to violence, degenerative behaviour and cruelty.
I don't think enough studies have been done on the subject and until that happens, women, children and animals will still be at the mercy of men.