Domestic Violence Against Men ? It DOES Exist | Shaw Law Texas

Photo credit: mary7dvadvocate, photobucket

While victims of domestic violence (DV) are generally women, men are victimized as well. ?Domestic violence ? also known as domestic abuse, battering or intimate partner violence ? occurs between people in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence against men can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats of abuse. It can happen in heterosexual or same sex relationships.? (1) Unfortunately, very little is known about the actual number of men who end up victims of DV. Reasons given for this include that the incidence of DV reported by men is at such a low level it is a challenge to get substantially, reliable figures. Also, there is not much currently done to encourage men to speak out and take action against DV. Although by definition, domestic violence is the same whether it involves men or women, the reasons, purposes, and motivations generally vary quite significantly. Consequently, intervention approaches and therapies must be customized to be as effective as possible depending on whether the victim (and patient) is an abused woman or an abused man. Also, another factor of importance is whether the victim is a heterosexual or homosexual male since this can also play a factor in both intervention and treatment approaches. Some reasons given as to why men choose to remain in abusive relationships include protection of children, feelings of guilt, and dependency on the abusive partner. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2010, 1 in 7 men experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner. Although women continue to suffer from DV more than men, the survey findings support claims that more attention needs to be brought to the issue of men victimized by domestic abuse and treatment of male victims. In addition, 35% of men who experienced ?rape, stalking or physical violence by an intimate partner reported significant short or long term impacts related to the violence experienced in this relationship such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and injury.? (2) Regarding gay victims, society tends to judge the gay victim as being at fault rather than a true victim as he would be if heterosexual. In addition, ?critics?use citations of higher rates of domestic violence as ?proof? that gay?relationships are dysfunctional.? (3) Researchers have suggested that although the homosexual community is quite possibly more likely to speak out against and discuss DV today, this was not always the case. In the 1980s and 1990s, most gays and lesbians had very real fear of opening up because of the fear of hurting the image of homosexuals in a ?homophobic? society and coming across as trying to ?take the focus off of fighting heterosexism.? They also explain that society ? in particular the police and courts ? are not as likely going to take action to deal with a case involving a homosexual victim and will more likely assume that the abuse was not in fact abuse but ?mutual combat.? Some victims have even found themselves being attacked by the legal system rather than supported and protected. (3) Whether homosexual or heterosexual, domestic violence against men is a real problem and deserves the same attention as domestic violence against women. According to Brian Watson, ?domestic violence is not a male or female problem, but rather a human problem, and that a lasting solution must address the cruelty ? and suffering ? of both sexes.?
Locally, there are events held to raise awareness as well as organizations and support groups that offer resources on and support for victims of domestic violence. On Thursday, June 14, 2012 (6:30-8:30 PM), Men with Momentum: Speed and Spirits will support Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) through a local fundraiser. AVDA is a private, non-profit organization that has been serving victims since 1980 and works with both the victim(s) and the abuser. They offer two services ? the Legal Advocacy Program and the Victim Advocacy program. For information on AVDA and this event, please visit the site.? Proceeds from the event will go towards AVDA?s intervention and prevention services as it is one of only nine legal-aid programs in the country that is dedicated to providing free attorneys for abused women and children. Since its inception, the organization has played a role in over 100,000 domestic violence cases in the Harris County Family Trial Division ? and this number will undoubtedly increase as they grow and continue taking action. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT CAUSE ? For more information about the AVDA event see:

SPEED & SPIRITS

Loosen that tie and join AVDA on one of the coolest nights of the summer! Even your best girl wouldn?t mind this Boys? Night Out! Thursday, June 14, 2012, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m, 10155 Southwest Freeway,Houston, TX 77074 ? Email: miam@avda-tx.org, Phone: 713-715-6921 ? Proceeds from Men with Momentum: Speed & Spirits will support Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA)?s intervention and prevention services to families trapped in the cycle of domestic violence. AVDA operates one of only nine legal-aid programs nationwide exclusively dedicated to providing free lawyers for low-income battered women and abused children. Since 1981, AVDA has served as attorney of? record for 100,000+ victims of abuse in matters pending in the Harris County Family Trial Division.

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