O

ctober is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and throughout the month, domestic violence advocates and the media's attention are focused on bringing more public understanding to and promoting the eradication of men's violence against women. However, not all intimate partner violence fits into this neat little package.

Intimate partner violence against men, especially against men by their 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 their victims service agencies (more than 2,000 of them in the U.S.) 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 intimate partner violence are sorely lacking.

Studies indicate men are victims of assault by their partners in 25 percent 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.

While resources for men are still scarce, awareness is increasing, and we hope more services will follow. Intimate partner violence is not a gender issue; it is simply a human issue. The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women envisions a world where services are available to victims and survivors without prejudice. Call 1-888-743-5754 or visit online at www.dahmw.org.

Mary Browning

Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women

Jacksonville