Domestic Abuse of Men: 40% of Domestic Violence Reports are of Women Harming Men

When we think of spousal abuse, we automatically picture a woman being abused by a man. However, women are not always the victim. One might ask, how can a strong man be a victim of abuse by a woman? Well, believe it because it happens more often then we know. Little is known about the actual number of men who are abused or treated violently by women. Although women are more frequently the victims of domestic violence, it is said that 40 in 100 domestic violence reports are women against men.

The thought of abuse against men is so unthinkable that most men are reluctant to report it. Years of advocacy and education about women and domestic violence has been encouraged and virtually nothing has been done to advocate support for men who are victims of domestic violence. Domestic abuse can be either emotional or physical. What can be hurtful to a man emotionally or mentally can be very different than what can be hurtful to a woman. Men are generally more hurt by emotional abuse than by physical abuse. For instance, humiliating a man in front of other men can be more devastating and the effects may linger longer than physical abuse. When a man can brush off an assault attempt by a woman in front of other men may reassure a man that he is strong and live up to the expectation of never hitting a woman.

The acknowledgment of abuse towards men usually go unrecognized due to the fact that the incidence against men are so low that it is difficult to give exact statistics. There are some things that may trigger domestic violence that need to be recognized. Alcohol abuse is usually a major cause for domestic violence in both men and women. People under the influence of alcohol become easily frustrated or angered and act on impulse. Certain psychological problems such as personality disorders may contribute to a woman becoming violent against men.

Most men will not come forward and report being abused by a woman. Most men fear of people not believing them, or making fun of them; therefore they suffer silently. They will usually stay in the relationship for many of the same reasons a woman would. Usually they will remain in the situation for the children, fear of leaving their children with an abusive woman. Many men have guilt and feel they are to blame and deserve the treatment they receive therefore determined to make things better. Many abused men may stay because they feel dependant emotionally on the woman. For whatever reasons, things usually don't just get better on their own. These families need extensive counseling for both parties, and if there is alcohol or drug dependency, intervention is needed immediately. Domestic violence against men is not something that is well recognized, and men need to have a voice in domestic violence to educate the public that it IS possible and it IS happening.