*Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence
This social experiment created by Mankind Initiative first shows a woman as the victim of domestic violence, and the public’s response. Next they swap places and the male is now the victim with the female as the attacker. The difference in public reaction is astounding.
The video has since been criticized as “piecing together” reactions to create a clear difference in the response of the public. Some have even said that putting any focus on female domestic violence is wrong, and if the initiative wanted to bring awareness to male domestic violence victims, they should create campaigns that do not compare men and women victims.
Quick info: domestic violence against men
According to a CDC report in 2010, 40% of all domestic violence is suffered by men. The U.S. Department of Justic Beaureau of Justice Statistics reported that 76% of nonfatal domestic violence was committed against females, compared to 24% of males.
While most victims of domestic violence are female, there are without question many male victims as well. The concern many have is that the funding and research regarding male domestic violence is almost nonexistant. Many male victims have expressed that they are often silent due to society’s impression that men are physically more powerful and should be able to “control” a female attacker’s advances.
Social perception has lead to an entire group of victims feeling ostracized by their community, which is why many fear ridicule and do not report the attacker to authorities.
While there is very little research done on the subject, we do know that 63% of male victims are likely to be attacked with a deadly weapon.
What we need to do as a society is relieve the stigma of being a male domestic violence survivor, while also working on support systems of the victims. As of now, most shelters in the U.S. only take women, children, and young males under the age of 13.
Resources via Domesticviolencestatistics.org:
- www.batteredmen.com
- Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women (1-888-7HELPLINE)
