Violence against men

Violence against men involves harmful acts directed at men or boys.

This topic is important because it helps us understand how different people experience harm. Many people have different ideas about how serious these acts are. Studies show that society often views violence differently based on who is involved. For example, people might not report a man hitting another man as often as they report a man hitting a woman. This can make it hard for men to get the help they need.

Some researchers call this a paradox because men are often at a higher risk for violent crime but feel less fear of it.

Many men face challenges when trying to report domestic violence. This is violence that happens between people in a relationship. In the United States, a survey from 2016 to 2017 found that about 42.3% of men experienced physical violence from a partner. In 2021, about 1,079 men were killed by an intimate partner in the U.S. Men often worry that people will laugh at them or not believe them. They might fear they will be seen as the one causing the problem instead of the victim. This can lead to a "culture of silence" where men do not ask for support.

History shows that men have also faced harm because of who they love. In the Middle Ages, men who were gay were often punished for what was called "sodomy." This punishment sometimes included death. Today, things are different but still difficult in many places. An ILGA report from 2020 found that homosexuality is against the law in 67 out of 193 UN member states. In countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and Nigeria, the death penalty can still be used for homosexual acts. Research shows that LGBT+ men also face higher rates of violence from partners than straight men.

During wars, men and boys are often singled out for harm. This usually happens because people assume men are fighters or soldiers. This idea has existed for a very long time. For example, ancient Roman records show the mass killing of men in conquered towns. During the Kosovo War, men made up more than 90% of civilian casualties. In some places, countries use a "draft" to make men join the military. This is called conscription. Most countries only draft men, though Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands draft both men and women.

Sexual violence against men is another serious issue that is often not talked about enough. In a CDC survey from 2010 to 2012, about 1.27 million men were victims of rape. In Australia, police recorded 4,100 male victims of sexual violence in 2016. This is much lower than the 18,900 female victims recorded that same year. Men often face unfair stereotypes that make it harder to speak up. Some people wrongly believe that men are always "invincible" or cannot be victims. These ideas can stop men from seeking help after something bad happens.