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Men should not be ignored as victims of domestic violence
Letter to the Editor
It was misleading, sexist, and unfair to male victims of domestic violence, for Lauren Zavrel to refer to victims only as "women" in the article, "Domestic violence victims interact on new Web site" (ODE, Nov. 5). Even if male victims were the minority, that wouldn't justify ignoring them. I'm sure Zavrel would say "men and women" when referring to soldiers or firefighters. Don't domestic violence victims deserve the same dignity?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year there are 4.8 million incidents of intimate partner assaults and rapes against women and 2.9 against men, with 25 percent of the deaths being men.
Harvard Medical School just announced a study showing half of heterosexual domestic violence is reciprocal and women initiate most reciprocal and non-reciprocal violence.
Men are less likely to report it, which makes crime data unreliable; but sociological data consistently shows women initiate domestic violence as often as men and that men suffer one third of the injuries.
Male victims have been ignored, downplayed and covered up for decades, leaving them with no outreach, few services and major social stigmas. So men just take it in silence while their children suffer long-term damage by the exposure. This hidden problem is so serious that a global coalition of concerned experts has formed to combat it. Their Web site is at www.nfvlrc.org.
Marc E. Angelucci
President, National Coalition of Free Men
According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year there are 4.8 million incidents of intimate partner assaults and rapes against women and 2.9 against men, with 25 percent of the deaths being men.
Harvard Medical School just announced a study showing half of heterosexual domestic violence is reciprocal and women initiate most reciprocal and non-reciprocal violence.
Men are less likely to report it, which makes crime data unreliable; but sociological data consistently shows women initiate domestic violence as often as men and that men suffer one third of the injuries.
Male victims have been ignored, downplayed and covered up for decades, leaving them with no outreach, few services and major social stigmas. So men just take it in silence while their children suffer long-term damage by the exposure. This hidden problem is so serious that a global coalition of concerned experts has formed to combat it. Their Web site is at www.nfvlrc.org.
Marc E. Angelucci
President, National Coalition of Free Men
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 12
Cimmeron Gillespie
posted 11/13/07 @ 2:01 AM PST
To say domestic violence is only perpetrated my males is a lie, but a good generalization, due to the vastly overwhelming majority of male abusers. There is no dispute that males commit more violent crime. (Continued…)
Marc Angelucci
posted 11/13/07 @ 8:30 AM PST
You are both wrong. Virtually every single randomized survey consistently shows women initiate domestic violence as often as men do, if not more often. (Continued…)
Stephan
posted 11/13/07 @ 10:15 AM PST
Marc:
Thank you. Really. It's rare that men are recognized as victims of domestic violence, and the Emerald articles on the subject of domestic violence have always bothered me for that reason. (Continued…)
Marc Angelucci
posted 11/13/07 @ 10:53 AM PST
Megan said: "I see that you are better acquainted with the up-to-date statistics than I am. I was only trying (however ineptly) to defend the spirit of your letter but obviously you don't need my help. (Continued…)
Cimmeron Gillespie
posted 11/13/07 @ 11:11 PM PST
Mr. Angelucci,
I agree with your central theme that gender neutral language is necessary, furthermore I agree there are instances of males victims. No argument there. (Continued…)
Marc A.
posted 11/14/07 @ 8:54 AM PST
Cimmeron said: "I am sure from her article that Lauren Zavrel had no intention of discounting male hardship or suffering."
That isn't the point. Male victims have been so historically ignored and neglected, and her language only continues that neglect, and it needs to be pointed out. (Continued…)
Lauren Zavrel
posted 11/14/07 @ 3:03 PM PST
Marc E. Angelucci has a valid point here, and it is not my intention to "ignore" men a victims. I have considered opening the site to welcome all survivors, and in light of this article, am more open to changing the overall message to the public. (Continued…)
Lauren Zavrel
posted 11/14/07 @ 4:28 PM PST
"I am sure from her article that Lauren Zavrel had no intention of discounting male hardship or suffering. The Pluma program is a forum for women who suffered. (Continued…)
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