Henry Montero, LMHC, CASAC-2, CTTS
Alquimedez Mental Health Counseling
1154 E. Tremont Ave Bronx, NY 10460-2452
Tel: 718-664-7679
www.alquimedez.com
Email: info@alquimedez.com
Twitter: @henmontero
Instagram: alquimedezmentalhealth
As the name implies, domestic violence refers to any form of abuse or aggression involving a spouse and its partner.
The term violence can entail many different forms. For instance, physical, verbal, emotional and even financial abuse may be categorized as domestic violence. Moreover, certain regions have updated their definition to include technology-based abuse as well.
While incidents that involve males subjecting females to domestic violence are discussed ad infinitum, our focus will be on cases where the male is the recipient of abuse in a domestic setting.
The Reality
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in every nine males experience domestic abuse in the United States. Additionally, the percentage increases to 25% or 1 in 4 when we focus on severe physical abuse. This can entail assault like pushing and shoving, and in more extreme cases, beating men also.
These statistics clearly show that males are victims of abuse more often than one might think. While people, in general, are accustomed to hearing about females being victims of abuse, males face another issue in addition to suffering from the anguish of abuse. They may be faced with those around them being unable to understand their suffering.
Therefore, males who are victims of domestic violence must be given additional support. The issue affects males regardless of their culture, creed, and cast. However, the vast majority of these men are hesitant to report domestic disturbances because they are ashamed, or they feel that their stories will lack credence.
Commitment
Another concern on top of being victims of domestic violence is that males are not encouraged or motivated to leave a toxic relationship. This adds to their existing woes. Men may experience a broad spectrum of emotions when they are faced with making such a decision.
For instance, certain men may feel extremely embarrassed. Although there is no shame in being a victim of another person’s wrath, there are plenty of males who may feel that they are failures, or they have not fulfilled their role as a husband or even a father.
In other cases, religious belief may lead male victims to remain in a toxic relationship. Most religions frown upon divorce and the termination of kinship, which is why men may continue living with their wives and continue suffering from domestic violence.
How to Tackle the Predicament?
Although we discussed that male victim might find it difficult to leave a toxic relationship due to a variety of reasons, if it is the best course of action then it must be taken. For example, if a husband is worried that their violent wives may hurt his children, then they must be prepared and call the relevant authorities as well.
Furthermore, while it may sound challenging to accomplish, especially in the heat of the moment, it is always best never to retaliate when you are the victim of domestic abuse. Not succumbing to provocation and not giving in to any rage you may feel is the best idea, since it may only compound your problem.
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