This isn’t exactly a newsflash, but men can be victims of domestic violence too.
This is especially true when it’s intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV is a form of domestic violence that entails abuse or aggression in a romantic relationship with a current or past spouse. It also occurs with someone you happen to be dating.
IPV encompasses physical and sexual violence. Yet, it also includes emotional and psychological aggression. IPV occurs when your spouse embarrasses, shames or puts you down. It also happens when a spouse or ex threatens to take away the kids or destroys your property. You may also be a victim of IPV if an ex or current partner stalks you — in real life or online.
Since October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, here’s a look at three alarming facts about male victims of domestic violence along with some helpful resources:
Abuse of Black Men by an Intimate Partner is Prevalent
Make no mistake, Black women are victimized the most by IPV, and it is often at the hands of Black men. What’s more, the majority of Black female homicides are committed by an intimate partner.
Yet, every year, a considerable number of Black males are also victims of IPV. According to the CDC, 40.1% of Black men will also experience physical violence, sexual assault or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to data compiled by the CDC.
An Overwhelming Number of Black Men Experience Psychological Aggression
According to data cited by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 56.1% of Black men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetimes.
Psychological aggression entails name calling and humiliation. It also appears as coercive control, where a partner may try to keep you from seeing your friends. They may also threaten to hurt you or themselves to keep you from leaving.
When It Comes to Sexual Violence, Men are Victimized by Men and Women
An estimated 87% of male victims of rape reported that another male was the perpetrator. The CDC defines rape as any completed or unwarranted attempt at penetration. Yet, a term known as “made to penetrate” or MTP is another form of sexual violence akin to rape. That’s when a man is coerced into penetrating someone without consent or through the use of physical force. According to the CDC, 79% of males in MTP cases stated that the perpetrator was female.
An Overwhelming Majority of Male IPV Victims, Name Females as the Perpetrators
Approximately 97% of men who experienced rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner reported only female perpetrators. About 82% of males who were coerced into sex reported only female perpetrators, according to the CDC.
Resources and Where to Get Help
If you or someone is in immediate danger, please dial 9-1-1.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or intimate partner violence, free, confidential, around-the-clock help is available through the following organizations:
· 1in6’s National Hotline for Men Who Were Sexually Abused or Assaulted, click this link to connect with a trained specialist.
· The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) for anonymous, confidential help. Click this link for chat and text options.
· RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or via online chat with a trained specialist.
Another valuable resource is Help Guide’s “Help for Men Who are Being Abused.”
