Raising awareness of male domestic abuse
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and some researchers are urging the public to take a closer look at both sides of an issue that’s often presented from one viewpoint.
The media often frames domestic violence as a women’s issue, with stereotypes of “abusive husbands” and “battered women” prevailing in many stories on the topic. However, abuse by the female half of the relationship is just as common, studies are reporting.
The National Coalition of Free Men, a nonprofit organization that examines the way sex discrimination affects men and boys, issued a press release citing recent research into domestic violence.
One notable study conducted by the University of New Hampshire encompassed 32 nations and found women commit half of all partner violence. The press release cites studies by universities in Washington, California and Florida, as well as the Centers for Disease Control, which found similar results.
Marc Angelucci, a member of the national board of the National Coalition of Free Men as well as founder of the Los Angeles chapter, has seen the effects of male domestic abuse first-hand.
Angelucci became involved personally with the issue when one of his male friends in college was a victim of spousal abuse and reached out to Angelucci for help.
Angelucci had trouble finding help for his friend – so much that he could find only one shelter willing to accept a male victim.
“I learned that men were coming from far away in each direction, and that this shelter had to fight politically to help male victims because other shelters didn’t want them to,” Angelucci said.
As a result, Angelucci began his work with the National Coalition of Free Men.
Since becoming involved with the organization, Angelucci has appeared on radio and television shows, been a guest speaker at universities, and published opinion pieces in notable newspapers like the L.A. Times, all the while advocating fairness and equality in protection for both male and female victims of domestic abuse.
Angelucci believes his work, in addition to that of others fighting for the same equal protection, is making a difference.
“I am seeing the bias change in the media,” Angelucci said, “but it is very slow.
Darrin Albert, a graduate student in psychology at NDSU, is also involved with the issue of male domestic abuse, having come across the topic through his own research. He decided to investigate it further.
“I found it very interesting, especially how it seemed to go against the grain of what most people may think or are taught,” Albert said.
Albert stresses the fact that male domestic abuse is not a new issue, but rather one that is just recently seeing more media attention.
Albert also has an interesting theory as to why the media is investigating more cases of male abuse.
“I think the issue is gaining more attention since Erin Pizzey, the founder of the very first battered women’s shelter, has become an advocate for helping male victims as well,” Albert said.
According to Albert, the first step toward fairness and equal legal protection for both sexes is to acknowledge that a problem exists, and then spread the word.
“It is also important that males understand that it is not ‘unmanly’ to ask others for help,” Albert said, but rather, it’s a sign of strength. “Most importantly, however, is to remember that domestic violence is not a battle of the sexes. It is about all victims and all perpetrators – male and female – receiving the help they need. That is what really matters.”