Domestic violence can affect anyone, including men. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one in seven men in the United States have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner. In addition, one in ten men have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner. There may be more male victims, but they may have not reported or sought help for their abuse.
There can be a variety of reasons why a man would choose not to report domestic abuse:
- Boys Don’t Cry: The National Domestic Violence Hotline states that young men learn to not express their feelings. The young men are further taught to “man up” and “suck it up” when faced with tough situations. This can be detrimental to a man should they find themselves in an abusive relationship. The victim may not report their abuse as they may feel discouraged. They may further feel like they have to handle the abuse on their own.
- Abuse Against Men is a Joke: When a man is abused, the situation is not usually taken seriously but seen more as a joke. Violence or abuse against anyone is not funny in any situation. When a man’s abuse is treated light-heartedly, the victim may not wish to report the problem for fear of being ridiculed.
- There Are No Resources to Help Male Victims: While it is true that a majority of shelters and services are available for female victims, there are resources available for men too. Safety planning, finding local resources, brainstorming alternative options, and even domestic violence hotline numbers should victims need to speak to someone over the phone.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, an attorney can assist you in multiple legal matters including filing for divorce, fighting for child custody, or even placing a restraining order against the violent party. Men and women can both be victims, so don’t hesitate and report the abuse to the appropriate authorities. If you need legal assistance, call us at the Law Office of Daniel Jensen. We work to get domestic violence victims the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering.