Feminism and Intimate Partner Violence

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Over the years, feminism has brought intimate partner violence into the public eye[1] , turning it into something that was casually overlooked into a topic of discussion amongst the people. Through lobbying and a variety of means, feminists have helped to establish support groups, information programs, safe places, and other resources for female victims. Despite the gender neutrality of the terms used to describe spousal abuse, it was nearly always discussed [2] in reference to wife abuse.


Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV), also referred to as domestic abuse, domestic violence, battering, and spousal abuse, describes a pattern of physical, sexual, or psychological harm caused by a current or former spouse. IPV occurs between two people engaging in an intimate relationship and can happen at any stage in the relationship, at any time, and in any location (not restricted to the home)[3]. The Centre for Disease and Prevention pinpoints four main types of IPV: physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression[4].

cycle_of_abuse2.png

Feminist Theory

Feminist theory in relation to IPV was almost exclusively focusses on men beating women. As this supported the view of the patriarchy which was held by some groups of radical feminists, the topic was constantly raised in an effort to bring credence to their platform. There are many studies done by feminists attempting to form their models around why men beat their wives. These reports do not take into consideration that men can also be victims, or that IPV is often mutual. Many of the questions raised in these articles are extremely one sided [5]. In part due to this model and its pervasive influence on public perception, women are rarely arrested when reported for IPV, despite in many cases the man is directly arrested when police show up to any incidence of IPV [6] (regardless of who the victim was).

Duluth Model

The Duluth Model, founded by Ellen Pence and Michael Paymar[7], is a program oriented towards reducing domestic violence against women. Much of the model is based on the unequal power dynamics of relationships, implying that men have inherent attitudes in reinforcing their display of power through violence. Despite some of its glaring flaws, it has been widely implemented across the United States [8]. The model relies on the existence of an inherently patriarchal society, one that seems to be taken for granted in this situation. Despite widespread acceptance by the feminist movement at the time, the model is based strictly on ideologies and has no empirical backing. It also ignores many other related factors like substance use and psychological problems[9], focussing rather on men oppressing women. There has been widespread criticism of the model, but it is still active and in effect currently[10].

The Duluth Model


Overlooking Male Victims

Despite the a large proportion of victims being male[11] [12] , men are often left out of the conversation in discussions regarding IPV. To be more specific, one in four adult men in the U.S becomes a victim of domestic violence in his lifetime.[13] Some say, that by trying to put more attention on male victims, one might downplay female victims. Many men are hesitant to step forward with their stories as society in general looks down upon and criticizes men for being beaten by a woman. This can also be attributed to the fact that society does not think that a woman can seriously injure a man. The abuse of men is also commonly treated as less serious, a common example is the common occurrence of men getting hit in the testicles as comedic relief[14]. Furthermore, men are scared that the police and the people around him won't believe his story and will let the violent partner go. One worry they have that females usually don't have is that men don't step forward because they have the belief that domestic violence laws don't apply to them.[15] Many of the studies also show [16]that a large proportion of cases where IPV is present, the actions are mutual.

Lack of Support

Although the feminist movement has garnered a lot of support and resources for female victims of domestic abuse, it has left men sorely lacking. The number of resources available to men relative to the amount available to women is minuscule at best. The ratio of male dedicated shelters to the number female dedicated shelters in England and Wales is 1:125 [17] . In Canada, the only shelter dedicated to male victims of domestic abuse was closed down in 2013[18]. Although men are disproportionately represented, there has been many attempts to bring light to the issue in recent media[19]. In Canada particularly, a recent program is raising funds to promote a billboard containing information on the presence of male victims and any resources available to them[20].

Resources and help available for men

Because men victims are often overlooked in domestic violence, the resources that are made available for them are almost closed to none. Not a single agency in Toronto, Canada is dedicated to male victims of domestic abuse[21]. The Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness indicates that there are zero domestic abuse shelters dedicated to men, while there are plenty of resource centre for women[22]. When it comes to men who try to escape domestic violence, it becomes a lot more difficult for them since not many facilities or resources are offered to them.


References

  1. ↑ Rosen, Ruth. The World Split Open: How the Modern Women's Movement Changed America. New York: Viking Penguin, 2000. 186-7.
  2. ↑ Gelb, Joyce. Feminism and Politics: A Comparative Perspective. Berkeley: University of California Press, c1989 1989. 126
  3. ↑ Intimate Partner Violence http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/
  4. ↑ Intimate Partner Violence: Definitions http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/definitions.html
  5. ↑ Pence, E., & Paymar, M. (1993). Education groups for men who batter. London: Springer
  6. ↑ Gelles, Richard J.; Straus, Murray A. (1988). Intimate Violence: The Causes and Consequences of Abuse in the American Family (PDF). New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 262. ISBN 9780671682965.
  7. ↑ Linda G. Mills (2009). Violent Partners: A Breakthrough Plan for Ending the Cycle of Abuse. Basic Books. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-7867-3187-9.
  8. ↑ Wayne Bennett; Kären Hess (2006). Criminal Investigation (8th ed.). Cengage Learning. p. 281. ISBN 0-495-09340-8.
  9. ↑ Battered Men - The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence Batterer Treatment Programs http://www.batteredmen.com/batdulut.htm
  10. ↑ Duluth Model http://www.theduluthmodel.org/index.htm
  11. ↑ REFERENCES EXAMINING ASSAULTS BY WOMEN ON THEIR SPOUSES OR MALE PARTNERS: AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY http://web.csulb.edu/~mfiebert/assault.htm
  12. ↑ Violence Against Men http://equalitycanada.com/cause/violenceagainstmen/
  13. ↑ It’s Time to Acknowledge Male Victims of Domestic Violence http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bari-zell-weinberger-esq/its-time-to-acknowledge-m_b_8292976.html
  14. ↑ Why do people find it so funny when men get hit in the balls? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/11730937/Why-do-people-find-it-so-funny-when-men-get-hit-in-the-balls.html
  15. ↑ It’s Time to Acknowledge Male Victims of Domestic Violence http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bari-zell-weinberger-esq/its-time-to-acknowledge-m_b_8292976.html
  16. ↑ REFERENCES EXAMINING ASSAULTS BY WOMEN ON THEIR SPOUSES OR MALE PARTNERS: AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY http://web.csulb.edu/~mfiebert/assault.htm
  17. ↑ More than 40% of domestic violence victims are male, report reveals http://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/sep/05/men-victims-domestic-violence
  18. ↑ Earl Silverman Dead: Owner Of Shelter For Male Victims Of Domestic Abuse In Apparent Suicide http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/04/29/earl-silverman-dead-suicide_n_3179850.html
  19. ↑ Domestic violence against men ignored http://www.torontosun.com/2015/03/02/domestic-violence-against-men-ignored
  20. ↑ Violence Against Men http://equalitycanada.com/cause/violenceagainstmen/
  21. ↑ Violence Against Men http://equalitycanada.com/cause/violenceagainstmen/
  22. ↑ Violence Against Men http://equalitycanada.com/cause/violenceagainstmen/
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