opinion 2
In 2018 the acceptance of domestic abuse victims is rising. While this happens though, the public is openly ignoring forty-percent of these victims. According to Parity UK's Domestic Violence: The Male Perspective, over 40 % of domestic abuse cases are male. According to Statistics Canada, there are 627 abuse shelters for women and 0 for men. Yes, it is true that women have to face this problem more than men. These statistics are not being used to play down the severity or acceptance of female victims. These statistics are being used to show how society is not accepting an issue because they are male victims.
In this article, I will be discussing the following: the myth that men are violent and can't be victims, and the current situation of shelter for men in Canada.
There is a belief among the public that testosterone, the male hormone chemical makes you aggressive. However, out of "72 studies that measure aggressive behavior in both men and women. They found that nearly two-thirds of the studies did not show the expected higher male than female aggressiveness across all conditions.” says psychologist David L. Fontes on the 7th page of his journal "Violent Touch: Breaking Through the Stereotype."
Fontes later goes on to say how the majority of tests that involve measuring aggression with testosterone levels are in prisons where the subjects are already aggressive due to their surroundings. These facts are relevant because like adrenaline, testosterone spikes with conflicts. "If someone is already aggressive, testosterone will increase aggressive behavior but does not cause it," says Fontes.
So to recap, people can't just be aggressive because they are men. The research shows both men and women can be the aggressor or the victim, or both.
As for the abuse shelters for men, there have been some popping up and closing down. For instance, there was one in Calgary. The owner Earl Silverman who was supporting the shelter out of his funds. Which went out of business, leading to him committing suicide. According to the Huffington Post in his four-page suicide letter, he blamed the government for not recognizing male victims.
The long-time advocate for abuse shelter Erin Pizzey had this to say to Women's Post. "My problem is that it's men who’ve been victims of domestic violence, which is largely ignored by society… and not only ignored but ridiculed. Billions are spent – billions I say – across the world for women’s refuges and virtually nothing for men. And the one men’s refuge in Canada was so denigrated and despised by the Canadian government - the owner Earl Silverman committed suicide after he was forced to sell his home and he lost everything."
One thing is sure; the government needs to start donating to all shelters.
Bolen, M. (2013, April 30). Earl Silverman Dead: Owner Of Shelter For Male Victims Of Domestic Abuse
In Apparent Suicide. Huffington Post. Retrieved March 17, 2018, from
Fontes, D. L. (1998). David L. Fontes, 1-63. Retrieved March 17, 2018, from
Owner of shelter for abused men and children commits suicide after financial ruin, ridicule. (2013, April
29). Women's Post. Retrieved March 17, 2018, from
Parity UK. (2017). Domestic Violence: The Male Perspective. Retrieved March 17, 2018, from
Statistics Canada. (2015, July 06). Shelters for abused women, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2018, from
Your article is an important topic and should be paid more attention to. There should be efforts made by local and federal governments to help men who are victims of abuse find reprieve from their situation. In this day and age, it makes me sad that when I read your article I had to think "Why isn't this happening" - even if I already knew that all genders can be victims of abuse. Thank you for writing on this topic.
ReplyDeleteOur society is used to seeing women, rather than men, in abusive relationships. While it is typical that men may be physically stronger than women, it is often overlooked that it is the emotional aspect of an abusive relationship that the victim is struggling with. Anybody - both male and female - can face emotional issues. Therefore, I definitely agree that male domestic abuse is ignored. In fact, I think due to our cultural perceptions of gender roles, males in these situations are not only faced with the harmful effects of abuse, but also have the disadvantage of facing the unfair stigma of being seen as "weak." This gives even more reason that there absolutely need to be increased resources, awareness and support for males facing domestic abuse.
DeleteCouldn't agree more. There's a tremendous disparity that exists between services available for women and men when it comes to trauma, treatment, and safety. Here in Victoria if a man needs service to deal with the trauma of sexual abuse he has to pay regardless of means, and there is a limit of ten sessions, whereas women can get this service for free, and there is no limit. Men often have to literally fight for a spot in a homeless shelter and are under constant threat of violence there, and on the streets. I am not aware of many shelters available for men to escape domestic abuse, though it does exist. Many people are still reluctant to intervene when a woman is the perpetrator and the shame felt by the victim is just as great, if not more if the victim is a man because he is expected to "man up" or "take it like a man", when faced with violence or pain. So not only do they have no support but their experiences, and feelings are also not validated. Men and women need to stop doing things that perpetuate the battle of the sexes and work together to solve these issues. Violence of any kind is a human rights issue and impacts us all.
ReplyDeleteJust because men are often physically stronger than women should not automatically mean that they are always the perpetrators of domestic violence. Abuse, whether it is physical or emotional, can arise from either partner. In a society that stereotypes men as being strong and unemotional barriers are created that block access for victims to much needed support systems. I enjoy that you highlight how tackling domestic abuse for men does not have to diminish the voices of female victims. We need to create spaces for everyone who has suffered violence and abuse to find support, heal and feel safe, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.
ReplyDelete