What Happens When Abused Men Call Domestic Violence Hotlines and Shelters?
Over the years, I have been involved in many cases where a husband was physically abused by his wife. I believe that all domestic violence is terrible and should not be tolerated – regardless of whether the victim is a woman or a man. In some of these cases, I've been told that in our area, men don't receive the same assistance when they are abused that women do.
I read an interesting article a couple of weeks ago by Glenn Sacks on the topic of whether the "mainstream domestic violence establishment and its 'men as perpetrators/women as victims' conceptual framework is properly serving those involved in family violence." This article discussed a conference which reported the following interesting statistics:
- About a third of all domestic violence injuries are suffered by men.
- Of the abused men who called domestic violence hotlines, 64% were told that they "only helped women."
- Only 8% of the men who called hotlines classified them as "very helpful," whereas 69% found them to be "not at all helpful."
- Sixteen percent said the people at the hot line "dismissed or made fun of them."
- Twelve percent of the hotlines accused the man of being the batterer or responsible for the abuse.
- Of the men who sought help by contacting local domestic violence programs, only 10% found them to be "very helpful," whereas 65% found them to be "not at all helpful."
I find these statistics to be very disturbing, as gender should not play a role in the aid given to victims of domestic violence. I welcome my readers' comments about this subject. If you are interested in reading more about this topic, I recommend you read Mr. Sacks' article and the references listed therein.
Source: "Researcher: What Happens When Abused Men Call Domestic Violence Hotlines and Shelters?" by Glenn Sacks, published at his Fathers & Families blog.
Ben,
This is an interesting blog about a serious subject. As a lawyer who has prosecuted and defended over 100 criminal domestic violence cases, this doesn't surprise me. But there is another facet to consider; oftentimes men who are physically battered by their spouses are unable to defend themselves because if they do, they fear being branded as the aggressor by a system that is already geared against them. While most abuse is committed by men, the statistics are skewed by underreporting.
So, unless the culture is changed to stop ALL violence, (including violence against a parent, which is an entirely new subject), then women who abuse will be given a "pass" and the cycle of violence continues.
What resources is available to male of domestic violence. is there information or a hot line number. Or even a place to go to get the help that i need? I was falsely accused of DV. I was told to got to anger managment for 3 months. I had all eivdence aganist her that was claimed aganist me. I had text message, videos and eye witnesses, but judge did not allow my side to be told. (bias told males in these kind of cases).I still feel threaten by my wife whether it be physical or using the system to her advantage aganist me. I NEED HELP OR ADVICE OR DIRECT ME TO SOMEONE WHO CAN.
I agree this same sort of stuff seems to be happening to me. I am a canadian and it is exactly how you are saying. A little more can be discussed but you definately now what your talking about. I have been attacked by my wife with knives, punches, scratches, death threats, etc... And i live in a place with no family support and not much money. I have been working very hard and am very tired, as i am sure she likes me to be when she abuses me. I need some advice. I have called the police dozens of times and nothing seems to be getting done about what is going on. I should not be forced out of my home just because she has some sort of mental issue. I have also called distress lines and get the same sort of answers as you have previously spoken about. This issue needs to be stop, it is rediculous, i can only take so much. I am human too!! Please help.