Can Men be Victims of Domestic Violence?
Violence against men is a taboo subject, yet studies indicate that one out of every six men is abused by their female partners. The statistics for women is one out of every four. It is very difficult for men to admit being abused by a female. But when they do admit it, they are not taken seriously. There is little public help or support for male victims. Yet the effects on a male are just as devastating as they are for a female victim. The main difference seems to be that women are more likely to be killed by an abusive partner. Perhaps if more women killed their partners, there would be more recongnition that abuse is not restricted to gender.
Men report that abusive women claw, kick, spit, punch and frequently attack with cooking utensils and cleaning equipment. They also engage in verbal and emotional assaults. The relationship is characterized by manipulation, control and guilt. Many times both partners are violent with each other. Drugs and alcohol frequently make the problem worse. Often the abusive behavior happens in front of the children. Unfortunately, they too are sometimes abused. Women who abuse usualy love their partners but they just do not know how to have a nonviolent relationship. When they do seek help, usually they admit to being abused themselves as a child.
The only way that domestic violence will end is if enough attention is directed toward the problem and we decide this behavior will not be tolerated. I know it is not always that simple. Sometimes mental or emotional illnes is the cause. Or alcohol and drug addictions need to be addressed. Adults, male and female, need to stop abusing each other. Parents need to be more aware of violent behavior in their children. Kids need to be taught appropriate ways to express their anger and negative impulses. If children are allowed to abuse their siblings and classmates, they grow up thinking this is normal, as adults they will likely abuse their partners.
The cycle of abuse can be broken. There are programs and professionals that can help. Domestic violence is a choice. We have to get rid of all the excuses like "he made me do it" and take responsibility for our own behavior. Children that were abused hated the abuse. Why do they then grow up and do the same things to their own children? Because you were misteated is not an excuse to mistreat someone else. As adults you can chose your partners. But children do not get to pick their parents. They have the right to be born into and rasied in a peaceful, loving home. There is no excuse for child abuse. Couples with violent relationships probably should not have children. That might be one way to end the cycle of abuse.
The figures and content of this blog were taken from an article written by Rhiannon Harries and published in the Independent in the United Kingdom. The story was built around a real person, Johnny K. I do not claim to be an expert. But I do know from my reading that abuse effects many countries. The figures in this article may not agree with figures in the USA. My purpose is simply to create more awareness about abuse.
Men report that abusive women claw, kick, spit, punch and frequently attack with cooking utensils and cleaning equipment. They also engage in verbal and emotional assaults. The relationship is characterized by manipulation, control and guilt. Many times both partners are violent with each other. Drugs and alcohol frequently make the problem worse. Often the abusive behavior happens in front of the children. Unfortunately, they too are sometimes abused. Women who abuse usualy love their partners but they just do not know how to have a nonviolent relationship. When they do seek help, usually they admit to being abused themselves as a child.
The only way that domestic violence will end is if enough attention is directed toward the problem and we decide this behavior will not be tolerated. I know it is not always that simple. Sometimes mental or emotional illnes is the cause. Or alcohol and drug addictions need to be addressed. Adults, male and female, need to stop abusing each other. Parents need to be more aware of violent behavior in their children. Kids need to be taught appropriate ways to express their anger and negative impulses. If children are allowed to abuse their siblings and classmates, they grow up thinking this is normal, as adults they will likely abuse their partners.
The cycle of abuse can be broken. There are programs and professionals that can help. Domestic violence is a choice. We have to get rid of all the excuses like "he made me do it" and take responsibility for our own behavior. Children that were abused hated the abuse. Why do they then grow up and do the same things to their own children? Because you were misteated is not an excuse to mistreat someone else. As adults you can chose your partners. But children do not get to pick their parents. They have the right to be born into and rasied in a peaceful, loving home. There is no excuse for child abuse. Couples with violent relationships probably should not have children. That might be one way to end the cycle of abuse.
The figures and content of this blog were taken from an article written by Rhiannon Harries and published in the Independent in the United Kingdom. The story was built around a real person, Johnny K. I do not claim to be an expert. But I do know from my reading that abuse effects many countries. The figures in this article may not agree with figures in the USA. My purpose is simply to create more awareness about abuse.
