Men are victims of domestic violence, too
It’s very common to hear reports about women being victims of domestic violence. On the other hand, men are also affected as well.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), about 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually. Men also experience the same psychological reactions to violence as women including:
- Guilt, shame, and humiliation
- Anger and anxiety
- Depression
- Withdrawal from relationships
Men are also less likely to report the violence and seek services due to the stigma of being a male victim, the fear of not being believed, and the lack of support from society, family members, and friends.
According to the NCADV, below are three of the most common types of abuse:
- Physical abuse: The use of physical force against another in a way that injures that person or puts the victim at risk of being injured. These include pushing, hitting, punching, etc.
- Emotional/Psychological abuse: Any use of words, tone, action or lack of action meant to control, hurt or demean another person. These include ridicule or intimidation.
- Sexual abuse: Any forced or coerced sexual act or behavior motivated to acquire power and control over the partner.
Sarah Katula, advanced practice nurse at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill, says that it’s important to bring awareness on this issue.
“We are trying to have more men involved at the table when trying to prevent and provide services for those who are abused,” she says.
For more information or to get help, click here.
Related Posts
Comments
3 Comments
About the Author
health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.
Thank you for this article. A lot of people do not consider this is as serious as other types of violence, especially since a lot of pop culture still makes a joke out of female-on-male violence. It is easy to fall into laughing at it, possibly because it makes us uncomfortable or because it is popular to laugh at the “emasculated” male. If you don’t think violence is funny, then don’t laugh and speak out instead.
A great reminder that anyone can be the victim of abuse. Hopefully, this will help those who are in such situations seek the help they need.
This issue definitely needs more attention.