Male Abuse is domestic abuse as it applies to males: Domestic abuse is a pattern of abusive behaviors in a romantic relationship or between family members. This may include abuse by a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, parent or relatives. The abusive behaviors can include physical, sexual, verbal and/or emotional abuse. Often, an abusive partner uses abuse to have power and control over their victim. It’s a serious problem that affects all communities, and both genders. Because every relationship is unique, domestic abuse can take many forms. The types of abuse may range from verbal attacks and controlling behaviors, to physical and sexual assaults. It is important to remember that everyone deserves to be in a safe and healthy relationship, free from violence and fear.
Male abuse occurs much more frequently than it is reported, which is why I will not mention statistics here since they are controversial. Male abuse is acknowledged in our society as humorous, it’s a Hollywood staple. You’ve only seen it like a bazillion times. When the women slaps the face of a man and he apologizes. Or how about baseball great Chuck Finley who was ridiculed in the media, or what about Brady Bunch star Barry Williams who had to get a restraining order against his ex-girlfriend that did not want to be ex’d. How about even more recent news when Tiger Woods got beat with a club.
Types of Male Abuse
Sexual Abuse occurs more often then we think often involving young boys, incarcerated men, and prisoners of war.
Domestic Violence & Physical Abuse occurs frequently whether young, old, rich, or poor. And is the act of hitting, pushing, slapping, kicking, and/or anything else that could cause physical pain or injury. There are also nonviolent forms of Male Abuse too.
Emotional/Mental Abuse is unlike physical abuse. Emotional also called mental abuse causes mental stress. Caused by the habitual use of vicious mockery, yelling, screaming, humiliation, harsh criticism, and denigrate you, your opinions, and/or accomplishments. The use of children is a very popular form of mental/emotional abuse. Many women use the children as a weapon, withholding visitation to punish a partner when angry.
Male Sexual Harassment – Males being sexually harassed in the work place is on the Rise; According to a report by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission there were a record amount of harassment complaints filed by men in 2006. Many people hold the belief that men want the sexual advance when often times they do not.
(http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/175980/male_sexual_harassment_in_the_work.html)
What can we do to end this disparity?
We need to make the public aware that males are just as vulnerable to abuse as females. Organizations that support victims should expand their services to accommodate males into their programs. There are 1.5 million nonprofit organizations here in US, and not even 3% help male victims get the support and services that they need.
There should be no gender assignment to abuse, and men just like women are capable of being victims. In incidents of domestic disputes both parties should be referred to counseling, not just one party. This will allow both parties in attaining healthy relationships in the future. I also think that law enforcement needs to address the situation unbiased. I have witnessed situations where a male calls the police for assistance with a crazy girlfriend and he is treated like a perpetrator. This is before they even find out what’s going on. This is not just damaging for a male, but law enforcement staff too. There is enough mistrust between males concerning law enforcement staff, but more importantly if law enforcement staff respond to a domestic dispute and one partner slacks on securing the woman simply because she is a woman then this can lead to injury of the officers and the victim seeking assistance simply because he is a man.
More importantly everyone should spread the word and participate in and support Male Abuse Awareness Week December 1-8. Male Abuse Awareness Week is an annual event sponsored by the P. Luna Foundation who actively fights to bring an end to this damaging disparity and create viable support services for male abuse victims.
More importantly everyone should spread the word and participate in and support Male Abuse Awareness Week December 1-8. Male Abuse Awareness Week is an annual event sponsored by the P. Luna Foundation who actively fights to bring an end to this damaging disparity and create viable support services for male abuse victims.