MEN IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS

Domestic Violence against Men:

Domestic violence is not limited to women alone although they remain the primary focus. Violence against men although not as widely popular or publicized compared to violence against women; are existent. Very little is known about men who are abused or harassed by either their male or female partners. Why? On one hand, it has taken years of advocacy and endless coaxing to get women to report abuse, virtually nothing has been done to encourage men to report abuse. There has been very little resource investment to address and understand issues of domestic violence and abuse against men. Another reason why abuse is not reported or highlighted is because the abuser would himself be another male. Although bisexual or homosexual relationships are no longer a treasured secret, the concept of living in an abusive homosexual relationship is strangely alien.

Why do men stay in an Abusive / Violent Relationship?

•	Protecting their children: Leaving the children alone with an abusive woman is an unthinkable option for the abused man. Also the fear of losing his children or their love is another source of worry.
•	Dependency: Dependency arises when the man is dependent on the woman mentally, physically, emotionally and/ or financially.

Another key factor that needs to be pointed out is the impact of relationship abuse. Relationship Abuse and / or Domestic Violence not only destroy the lives of two individuals but also affect the lives of their immediate family. Domestic violence among couples who are married with children is the worst hit. The children are almost always the witness to all possible forms of harassment right from an early age.