When you hear the words “domestic violence,” what image comes to your mind first? A girlfriend with a black eye? A wife curled up in fear? What about a husband shrinking back into the couch?
While the first two are commonplace, the third isn’t usually what comes to our minds. Part of that is cultural, but another part of it is that men who are the victims of domestic violence have been under-reported as a result of shame, ridicule, and people simply not believing that men can be the victim of such crimes. Facts are facts, though, and the truth is that men are often the victims of domestic violence.
How Often Are Men The Victims of Domestic Violence?
According to statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, men are victimized a lot more often than most people think. Nearly 1 in 4 men, according to the numbers, have been a victim of some form of physical violence from a partner (the number is 1 in 3 for women). Roughly 1 in 7 men have been the victims of severe physical violence from a partner (the number is 1 in 4 for women).
Those numbers are shocking to a lot of people, because while we admit that domestic violence can happen to men, in the same way we admit it’s possible to be struck by lightning, we tend to think it’s rare. Sadly, it isn’t.
If you have been a victim of domestic violence, and you need legal help, simply contact us today. We’re on your side.