October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and throughout the month domestic violence advocates and the media's attention will be focused on bringing more awareness to and promoting the eradication of men’s violence against women. However, not all intimate partner violence (IPV) fits into this neat little package.
IPV against men has always been a hot button issue. The mere mention of male victims in a gathering of traditional domestic violence advocates creates great controversy. While domestic violence advocates may know men are victims they insist that their victims service agencies (over 2,000 of them in the US) should focus exclusively on ending violence against women by men because women are the most injured and prevalent victims. As a result, serious outreach and services for the male victims of IPV are sorely lacking.
Studies indicate that men are victims of assault by their partners in 25% of the reported cases in the U.S. each year. The disparity between the needs of those victims and the services available is large. The gap must be closed and that can only be done through education, services and advocacy.
While resources for men are still scarce, awareness is increasing and hopefully more services will follow. IPV is not a gender issue, it is simply a human issue.
We envision a world where services are available to victims and survivors without prejudice.
Jan Brown, Founder and Co-Director
Heather Fortune, Co-Director
Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women
Office: 866-786-0758
Loree Cook-Daniels and Michael Munson
FORGE Transgender Sexual Violence Project
P.O. Box 1272
Milwaukee, WI 53201
414-559-2123
www.forge-forward.org
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and throughout the month domestic violence advocates and the media's attention will be focused on bringing more awareness to and promoting the eradication of men’s violence against women. However, not all intimate partner violence (IPV) fits into this neat little package.
IPV against men has always been a hot button issue. The mere mention of male victims in a gathering of traditional domestic violence advocates creates great controversy. While domestic violence advocates may know men are victims they insist that their victims service agencies (over 2,000 of them in the US) should focus exclusively on ending violence against women by men because women are the most injured and prevalent victims. As a result, serious outreach and services for the male victims of IPV are sorely lacking.
Studies indicate that men are victims of assault by their partners in 25% of the reported cases in the U.S. each year. The disparity between the needs of those victims and the services available is large. The gap must be closed and that can only be done through education, services and advocacy.
While resources for men are still scarce, awareness is increasing and hopefully more services will follow. IPV is not a gender issue, it is simply a human issue.
We envision a world where services are available to victims and survivors without prejudice.
Call: 1-888-7HELPLINE (1-888-743-5754)
Visit: www.dahmw.org
Sincerely,
Jan Brown, Founder and Co-Director
October 15, 2010 - 3:39pmHeather Fortune, Co-Director
Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women
Office: 866-786-0758
Loree Cook-Daniels and Michael Munson
FORGE Transgender Sexual Violence Project
P.O. Box 1272
Milwaukee, WI 53201
414-559-2123
www.forge-forward.org
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