Even Men Suffer

Domestic violence against men is one of the most neglected issues in every country round the globe. Spousal abuse is a problem that is just not only faced by women in a marriage or relationship but by men as well. News of dowry crimes and domestic harassment against women are extensively reported in the media with a lot of pepper, but less do we talk about what men go through.

There is an ever increasing population of the men at the receiving end of harassment and abuse by their partners; be it physical, emotional or psychological. One is every six men have been a victim of sexual abuse. The shame and embarrassment about this going public makes the situation all the more worse and thus condems them to keep mum. Being beaten by one's wife invites jokes and mockery, and society often starts questioning his machismo. Men in India are really unlucky at this part; even when we consider our nation, our society to be male dominant. Some researches state that men are physically strong and thus hit their partners; but a lady asks her father or brother to hit her husband or hires a paid mafioso for the work. Men find it difficult to get out of such abusive relationships not only because they fear getting apart from their children, but also because of constant threats of false charges for dowry and harassment being filed against him. Obtaining custody of children is always challenging for fathers. They are demanded heavy amounts in return of a divorce. Police often distrusts a male who comes to register his complaint for the abuse faced by him. Even if the case is registered, he has to attend every hearing that happens every ten days for months and years, otherwise he is seen as guilty and wrong in the court's eyes. But there are no questions raised if the lady does not attend them.

A lady, who is herself a victim, is showered with sympathy and all the rights, but she raising her hands is justified as widening her horizons and moving out in the name of ‘FEMINISM'. For men who are accused of domestic violence are marginalized by our society and even friends and family turn their backs on them. They are taken at the hands of law which often deals strictly and helps the sufferer female with all her rights. But this violence against men is not recognised by the law. For a male; all this turns out to be an emotional fight against his partner, family, relatives and society. He struggles a battle of existence between his macho masculinity and severely tortured mind. We as Indians must come out of this patriarchal hypocrisy and consider abuse against men not a humorous issue. This reality need not shock you but should be realized as a fact for providing real EQUAL rights to men and women.