Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against men, especially against men by female intimate partners, has always been a hot button issue. The mere mention of male victims in a gathering of traditional domestic violence advocates creates great controversy. While domestic violence advocates may know men are victims they insist that their victims service agencies (over 2,000 of them in the country) should focus exclusively on ending violence against women by men because women are the most injured and prevalent victims.
As a result, serious outreach and services for the male victims of IPV are sorely lacking.
According to a Dept of Justice Study men are victims of assault by their partners in approximately 36% of the reported cases in the U.S. each year. The disparity between the needs of those victims and the services available is large. The gap must be closed and that can only be done through education, services and advocacy.
The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women (DAHMW) does just that. Now in it’s10th year of specializing in outreach and services for male victims, DAHMW has worked hard to bring public awareness to this under served group of victims and survivors. Much more outreach and services are needed.
While resources for men are still scarce, awareness is increasing and hopefully more services will follow. IPV is not a gender issue, it is simply a human issue. DAHMW envisions a world where services are available to victims and survivors without prejudice.
You can find help at DAHMW, call 1-888-7 HELPLINE (1-888-743-5754)
See our website for more information: www.dahmw.org. and us on Facebook, Myspace and Twitter (links at our site).
Thank you for the opportunity to bring our message of inclusion during DVAM.
Sincerely,
Jan Brown and Heather Fortune, Directors
Business Line:1-866-786-0758
