WHEN WOMEN TURN VIOLENT

A victim of domestic abuse is usually depicted as a defenceless woman, the perpetrator an aggressive man. It’s not always the case

- MOIRA HOLDEN

While women still remain the most likely victims of domestic violence at the hands of their partner, these roles can be - and often are - reversed.

There are a shocking number of men living in fear of their partner. In fact, every year, one in three victims of domestic abuse is male – more than three quarters of a million men.

Sadly, they often suffer in silence, cowed by embarrassment and shame. And, worryingly, more than one tenth of these men have considered taking their own life because of their partner’s abuse – a higher percentage than female victims.

So, how can we help them? Woman’s Own speaks to a victim who felt too embarrassed to seek help when his wife turned violent against him.

Nearly two-thirds (61%) of the men who call the ManKind Initiative helpline have never spoken to anyone before about the torment they are suffering.

Over a five-year period from 2015 to 2000, an average of 12 men per year were killed by a partner or ex.

One in six or seven men will be a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime.*

Now, Tony finds it hard to trust

Wife Tracy

‘She told me nobody would believe me’