Mens Toolbox’s Post

Domestic violence (DV) is a pervasive issue that affects individuals regardless of their gender, race, or socioeconomic status. While the majority of DV cases are reported with male perpetrators and female victims, it is essential to acknowledge that men can also be victims/survivors of violence within intimate relationships. This is an often-overlooked phenomenon. Domestic violence can be perpetrated by women against men. We are here to shed light on the challenges faced by male victims/survivors and the importance of breaking societal stereotypes to address this issue effectively. Domestic violence refers to a pattern of abusive behaviour used by one partner to gain control and power over another in an intimate relationship. It encompasses various forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. Research indicates that domestic violence by women against men exists, though it may be underreported due to societal stigma and traditional gender norms. Male victims of domestic violence encounter unique challenges when seeking help or support. Societal stereotypes often portray men as strong, invulnerable, and capable of defending themselves, making it difficult for them to come forward about their experiences. Many men fear being ridiculed or not being taken seriously when disclosing abuse, leading to silence and increased isolation. In addition, many organisations have a bias towards men being only capable of perpetrating domestic violence and will not support them or help them access assistance either therapeutically or via the legal system. Continue reading here: https://lnkd.in/gTCfWDyA

Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects millions of individuals around the world. It is important to understand the underlying triggers and causes of domestic violence in order to effectively address and prevent it. ✴️Understanding the Triggers of Domestic Violence Domestic violence can stem from a variety of triggers, including but not limited to: 🔸Anger and Control: Many abusers use violence as a means of exerting control and power over their victims. This can manifest in physical, emotional, or psychological abuse. 🔸Unresolved Trauma: Individuals who have experienced trauma in their past may be more likely to engage in violent behavior. Unaddressed mental health issues can also contribute to violent tendencies. 🔸Substance Abuse: Drug and alcohol abuse can lower inhibitions and impair judgment, leading to increased likelihood of violent behavior. 🔸Social and Cultural Norms: Societal attitudes and beliefs about gender roles and relationships can perpetuate cycles of violence. These norms may contribute to a sense of entitlement or superiority in abusers. ✴️Both Men and Victims Are Affected by Domestic Violence It is crucial to recognize that domestic violence can impact individuals of all genders. While women are statistically more likely to experience domestic violence, men are also victims of abuse. However, there are some reasons that may prevent men from seeking help or disclosing their abuse. 🔸Lack of Resources: Men may have fewer resources available to them, such as shelters or support services, compared to women. This can make it challenging for male victims to seek help and escape abusive situations. 🔸Social Taboos: There are often societal expectations surrounding masculinity that can discourage men from reporting abuse or seeking assistance. Men may fear being seen as weak or emasculated if they speak out about their experiences. 🔸Legal Challenges: There may be legal barriers in place that make it difficult for male victims to access the support they need, such as laws that prioritize female victims in cases of domestic violence. ✴️Why Do Women Have More Access to Help? Despite the fact that both men and women can be victims of domestic violence, women generally have more access to resources and support. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including: 🔸Historical Precedents: The women's rights movement has played a significant role in raising awareness about domestic violence and advocating for increased support for female victims. 🔸Funding Priorities: Many organizations and government agencies prioritize services for women due to higher rates of reported abuse. This can result in more funding and resources being allocated to programs that specifically target female victims. 🔸Community Support: There are often established networks and support systems in place for women who have experienced domestic violence, such as hotlines, shelters, and counseling services.

This great article highlights some of the unique challenges faced by regional and remote communities impacted by domestic and family violence.  It’s not just that many women in these areas are reluctant to report violence due to the often close-knit nature of communities, and the associated stigma and shame that comes with that.  We also know women and children living in regional and remote Australia can be more vulnerable to family, domestic and sexual violence for a range of other reasons.  

Domestic violence (DV) is a pervasive issue that affects individuals regardless of their gender, race, or socioeconomic status. While the majority of DV cases are reported with male perpetrators and female victims, it is essential to acknowledge that men can also be victims/survivors of violence within intimate relationships. This is an often overlooked phenomenon. Domestic violence can be perpetrated by women against men. We are here to shed light on the challenges faced by male victims/survivors and the importance of breaking societal stereotypes to address this issue effectively. Continue reading here: https://lnkd.in/gTCfWDyA

Domestic Violence and Its Effects on Women By: Abubakarr Benson Executive Director, Centre for Youth Participation in Democracy (CYPaD) There is no justification for domestic violence. No woman deserves to be beaten. Men who beat their wives or partners are not strong men. It’s unimaginable to claim to love someone and yet cause them so much pain that their world is torn apart. Domestic violence is unacceptable in any decent society. Domestic violence is a root cause of many broken homes today. But it’s not just about the immediate physical harm; it’s also about the devastating effects it has on the family and the psychological impacts it has on future generations. This continuous indifference to speaking about these issues has characterised our society to where it is today; one lacking empathy, love, and solidarity. We need these conversations often because many homes today are going through trying times due to domestic violence, yet few recognize how detrimental this problem can be. If there are issues in a relationship, there are better ways to resolve them than turning the woman you claim to love into a punching bag. We must collectively condemn domestic violence in all its forms. We cannot remain silent while our sisters continue to suffer at the hands of predators. Enough is enough. In Sierra Leone, the laws guiding domestic violence include the Domestic Violence Act of 2007, the Sexual Offences Act of 2012, and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act No. 8 of 2019. The Domestic Violence Act provides protection for victims and establishes legal procedures to address domestic violence. It outlines various forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, and economic, and sets forth mechanisms for obtaining protection orders and support services. The Sexual Offences Act addresses sexual violence and abuse, defining various sexual offenses and prescribing penalties for perpetrators. The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act of 2019 further strengthens these provisions by broadening the scope of offenses covered and enhancing penalties to better protect victims. One important aspect I want to address is the issue of support mechanisms for victims. These mechanisms should be strengthened to protect victims and ensure they receive justice throughout the recovery process. Many women today remain silent about domestic violence due to societal stigma and fear of the consequences that come with speaking out. Sometimes, due to deep attachment, some women fear the potential breakup of their relationships and cling to partners who perpetrate violence against them. While these fears may seem valid, they lack in comparison to the dangers and harm associated with domestic violence, which can even lead to loss of life. Women should be able to recognize the signs of a violent relationship early on. As soon as those signs begin to manifest... Read more: https://lnkd.in/d8ffN9QR

Last week marked significant milestones in raising awareness of family and sexual violence: the Tasmanian Parliament reaffirmed its condemnation of violence against women, a decade after its initial declaration. This united, bi-partisan stance reflects leadership and commitment to tackling the systemic issues underpinning violence. Parliament’s motion called on all Tasmanians to become advocates for change, sending a strong message that family, domestic, and sexual violence in Tasmania is a crime and is unacceptable under any circumstances. Members across the political spectrum stood together, recognising the complex drivers of harmful behaviours and committing to work toward change. Their bold statements signal hope for a future free from violence. In Australia, one in five women has experienced sexual violence, one in four has faced violence from an intimate partner, and more than one woman a week is killed. As the National Plan states, “The abuse and violence is a problem for victims, but it is not the victim’s problem.” Ten years ago, three party leaders brought the issue of violence against women into the consciousness of Parliament and the community. Last week’s reaffirmation of these commitments highlights progress while acknowledging the work to be done to dismantle patriarchal norms that perpetuate inequality. These norms are deeply ingrained in our societal framework and must be challenged at every level. Parliament’s leadership provides a foundation for cultural shifts. Bold conversations about harmful attitudes and behaviours—particularly with men—must become a societal norm. These discussions are critical to fostering the respectful relationships needed to prevent violence. At SASS, we see daily the impact of violence on individuals and communities. Our trauma-informed services support victim-survivors not only in the immediate aftermath of violence but throughout their recovery. Trust takes time to build, and healing requires sustained, empathetic care. For every person who steps forward to share their story, countless others are empowered to begin their own. To drive change, we must prioritise education and early intervention, ensuring resources are in place to support cultural shifts toward a Tasmania free from violence. While rising statistics are alarming, they also reflect growing trust in support systems, enabling more people to seek help. Service providers like SASS face increasing demand and must be equipped to deliver sustainable support for recovery, education, and prevention. Communities need tools to confront harmful beliefs and behaviours, and policymakers must continue backing organisations delivering these vital services. Breaking the cycle of violence requires collective action and long-term commitment. Ten years after its initial declaration, we remain steadfast in working alongside the Tasmanian Government to sustain progress. Together, we strive for a future where all Tasmanians live free from violence.

And how many brilliant people have left the sector since this research was done? I am losing count of the number of us who’ve decided enough is enough, because funding takes away our autonomy, because trustees try to say ‘it’s just a job’ when it really isn’t and you can’t do this work unless it’s also your passion and your values, because the sleepless nights and physical impacts are greater than you can imagine. I miss my days as a CEO, I miss the brilliant women in my team and the survivors we worked with, I miss my colleagues in other centres. But I don’t miss the unrelenting politics, and doing a job that broke me over and over again. I especially don’t miss the vicarious trauma that comes with the work and goes unrecognised. Honestly, maybe its time we all joined forces and staged a walk out, because beyond doing this to send a very clear message that we can no longer survive on breadcrumbs, I can no longer work out the solution when we’ve been telling this to those who hold the purse strings for years. “three subcategories were developed to capture the different but overlapping ways in which these pressures were pushing service leaders to a range of boundary points. These included, “the edge of surviving as a service versus no longer being financially sustainable,” “the edge of staying in the sector versus leaving” and “the edge of holding on psychologically versus going under emotionally.””

Thank you so much to Lisa for sharing this. The concept of ‘edgework’ is spot on - and while colleagues in the voluntary sector are, without doubt, facing the sharpest edges, I suspect those in leadership and practitioner roles across healthcare, education and probably most public sector services can relate. I regularly mull over how to make #ClinicalLeadership sustainable - both in my own HE sector environment and more broadly. Recognition, insight & peer support is a vital part of the answer. Using the concept of 'edgework', this paper presents ways in which practitioners are working *at* the edge of existing in the sector - "What are we willing to be in order to survive?" (p.9) - and working *with* the edge - "...thinking about how we sustain ourselves in a different way... it's exciting, it's empowering, it's creative..." (p.15). #BACP #AMOSSHE #MentalHealth #StudentSupport #Counselling

As societal awareness of domestic violence continues to grow, it is essential to recognise that men can also be victims of abuse. When discussing the cycle of violence, one crucial phase that often goes unnoticed is the denial phase. This phase can be particularly challenging for male victims, as societal stereotypes and expectations may make it even harder for them to recognize and seek help for the abuse they are experiencing. In the denial phase of the cycle of violence, victims often find themselves making excuses for their abuser’s behaviour or minimising the seriousness of the situation. This can be common among male victims, who may feel pressure to conform to traditional gender roles that dictate they should be strong, tough, and capable of handling any situation without help. As a result, many male victims may struggle to acknowledge that they are being abused, even to themselves. Continue reading here: https://lnkd.in/gzit2ann

This is an important article. We all know that there is no silver bullet to address family violence. We just need to look at other public health and road safety campaigns (think tobacco, drink driving and seat belts) to be reminded of why a multipronged approach is so important. So while a long term strategy like behaviour change is really important, it doesn’t help people in the short term and it won’t be successful in creating the change we all want to see on its own. People who work on a daily basis with those experiencing family violence are very aware of the factors that contribute to this violence. They know that alcohol is one of those factors and it’s a big one. It’s also one that we can do something about and we know that it will make a difference. While the article talks about alcohol being involved in up to 65% of family violence incidents, this based on an AVERAGE of data across the jurisdiction. The awful implication of this is that in some parts of the country, families are living in communities where alcohol related domestic violence is experienced at much higher levels. Governments can do things to help or hinder efforts to reduce family violence. That’s why it’s important that governments think about the impact that their policies will have on achieving their own stated aims of reducing family violence. It’s shocking that alcohol’s impact on family violence was removed from Michael Salter’s report. If we don’t acknowledge the role of alcohol in family violence, then we will continue to have policies and decisions that will hinder efforts to reduce this behaviour. As a start, let’s not make alcohol more affordable, more easily available, or more heavily promoted than it already is. And let’s recognise the harmful impact that alcohol has on so many people’s lives, and work together to reduce this harm.