Domestic Violence: The Other Side of the Story

In March 2007, Reader’s Digest ran an article about domestic violence (“Abuse of Power”). In response, we received a number of letters from readers who were taken aback that the article provided no resources for male victims, especially given that the statistics show men and women abuse each other “in nearly equal measure.”

The following is in answer to your queries about help for male victims, as well as female abusers.

By Gladys Pollack

When we think of spousal abuse, most of us think of females being abused by their male partners. Statistics do indicate that women are more likely than men to experience more serious forms of spousal violence. However, in 2004 Alberta Children’s Services reported that in the previous five years more than half a million men in Canada had a female partner who was violent towards them, meaning that about seven percent of men in intimate relationships with women have experienced abuse or violence from a wife, an ex-wife or a common-law partner.

A 1999 Statistics Canada study indicated that about one out of five men (18%) reported having experienced some form of emotionally abusive behaviour in their current or previous intimate relationships during the past five years; the survey also indicated that five year rates of violence in current relationships were ten times higher among men who reported emotional abuse than among those who did not. It is important to note that psychological abuse and physical abuse are highly correlated.

“Partner abuse by males or females is unacceptable”, says the Public Health Agency of Canada. “The abuse of men is a complex social problem that warrants close attention. Action is needed to prevent and reduce both physical and psychological abuse in their early stages.”

If you are a male in an abusive relationship, support is available.

In Alberta, for example, there is:

Family of Men Support Society—which operates Men’s Alternative Safe House (MASH)—Crisis Line: 403-242-4077.

Men’s Educational Support Association (MESA): 403-228-6366

For a province-by-province listing of services for male victims of abuse, consult the Directory of Services and Programs for Abused Men in Canada

For more information on partner abuse against males, consult:

Intimate Partner Abuse Against Men—National Clearing House on Family Violence

Abused by Women in Intimate Relationships:

MENWEB

The Spousal Abuse Fact Sheet on the Department of Justice Canada website.

If you are a female who abuses your partner, contact the nearest office of the Canadian Mental Health Association or the nearest large psychiatric hospital for a referral.