Why Are Male Domestic Violence Victims Overlooked?
Posted December 1st, 2017 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Domestic Violence.
When we think about domestic violence, we tend to think about women who are abused by their male counterparts. Although, the majority of domestic violence victims are female, we often disregard when men are victims of domestic violence. But, why?
Men’s domestic abuse claims are often overlooked because it’s thought to be taboo for a man to be hurt by a woman. Over the course of history, men have generally been considered to be the stronger gender, so being abused by a partner may be seen as a sign of weakness. It can be viewed as a source of shame and embarrassment in their minds. When it comes to a same-sex relationship, males might not want to come forward with domestic violence claims because it might lead to their homosexual status being made public.
According to an infographic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in seven men over the age of 18 are abused by an intimate partner in the U.S. each year. In fact, one in ten men are victims of rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner. It doesn’t matter what sexual preference a man has — three in ten heterosexual men have experienced sexual violence other than rape in their lifetime, as compared to two in five homosexual men.
Sometimes, it’s hard to recognize the signs of abuse, especially when the victim is male. Not all abuse is physical. Here are a few warning signs that could mean you or another male you know is experiencing domestic violence:
- Your partner insults you, calls you names, or puts you down
- Your partner tries to control you by choosing what you wear, what you spend your money on, or where you go
- Your partner prevents you from seeing family or friends
- You are accused of being unfaithful or your partner constantly acts jealous
- Physical violence such as hitting, slapping, or shoving
- Your partner forces you to have sex against your will
Contact Us
For almost thirty years, the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone have been stressing the issue of domestic violence in New Jersey, including tips on how to protect you and your family. If you are a victim of domestic violence and need legal advice or help obtaining a restraining order, contact our Firm today.
