There’s a common belief that everyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Regardless of one’s sexual orientation, the law must be obeyed equally by all.
But the harsh fact is that males, too, can be victims of domestic violence and abuse, and it can be difficult for them to receive fair treatment in legal and social settings.
Men’s experiences of domestic abuse are less frequently reported since doing so is stigmatized. But the truth is that males, too, may be victims of domestic abuse and that they are more frequently subjected to it than we’d like to admit.
Challenges in Getting Accurate Reports of Male Domestic Violence
That’s why it’s never brought up in conversation: nobody has heard of it. We keep quiet because we don’t recognize the signals of harassment among ourselves. In most cases, male victims of domestic abuse go unreported.
The rate of domestic abuse reported by women is seven to fourteen times higher than that reported by males in the United States.
The American cultural notion of male superiority in strength and power over women is a major contributor. Without minimizing the problem that such a mindset causes, it is precisely this problem that keeps males from reporting crimes of this nature.
A greater proportion of males have an anatomical advantage of strength in contrast to women, making it more difficult for men to convince legal authorities of such a crime.
Moreover, while there are counselors accessible around the clock to help female victims of harassment and abuse, there are much fewer options for male victims of domestic violence.
There can be no gender bias in criminal behavior, and women are capable of committing violent crimes on par with males.
Men’s Consequences of Domestic Violence
The effects of domestic violence on males are often the same as those on women. To a far greater extent than in women, males who have experienced domestic violence or abuse are more likely to develop drug misuse problems.
As a coping mechanism, many men have turned to substances like alcohol or drugs. And there’s more to it than that; victims of domestic violence often suffer psychological scars as well.
Because of the stereotype that men are stronger than women, talking about male domestic abuse carries a heavy burden of shame.
Suffering from severe depression, social anxiety, and an inability to get intimate with anybody for a lengthy period of time are all common outcomes of long-term abuse.
Conclusion
Male victims of domestic violence should be treated the same as victims of any other violent crime. All men, not only those in dangerous situations, need to see a lawyer.
Most importantly, individuals need to stop hiding their pain for fear of judgment from others and start talking about it.
You may take the first step in solving your relationship problems by talking to someone you trust, such as a close friend or relative if you feel uneasy about approaching a stranger, local research charities, and support organizations.
If talking to the abuser about the situation does not help, you may want to look into seeking a restraining order or an order of protection from the court. When dealing with persistent male domestic abuse, it’s best to seek the advice of a family law attorney.