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Violence against men is a problem that has received less attention and research. The purpose of this editorial is to examine the nature of violence against men, its socio-cultural and psychological effect on men and how they are victimized? It also highlights the fact that men experience pain and need assistance for their well-being.

INTRODUCTION

When most people hear the expression “Domestic Violence”, they frequently presume that the man is the aggressor. Domestic Violence toward men is considerably more common than you might imagine and can be a serious threat to its victims. But, Unfortunately, most domestic abuse laws do not provide equal protection for men as they do to women. Since India has been a male-dominated country for so long, so it is hard for them to believe that men too can face violence just like women. This could be the reason that Domestic Violence against men is not recognized in here. Contrary to popular belief more males are, in fact, being subjected to abuse, physically or psychologically, by the women. Both men and women are entitled to basic human rights and gender equality. Gender neutral laws are severely required to counter the situations where men are falsely accused of rape and sexual assault cases.

ROLE OF GENDER DISCRIMINATORY LAWS IN DETERIORATING THE SITUATION

Since Gender is a social creation, factors like race, caste, nation, class, culture, sexual preference etc. have a frequent impact on it. Gander roles are extremely vivid in many South Asian countries such as India. Stereotypical ideas and gender prejudice are fostered by this rigidity. The

Indian Penal Code’s Provision against gender violence do not apply to males who suffer domestic abuse at the hands of their wives or other intimate partners. These attackers who are typically women are immune from the law.

Provision relating to Domestic Violence is given under Section 498A of Indian Penal Code. The section says that only a man can be held accountable for committing domestic violence against women. There is no provision in the entire Act which held women accountable for the same behavior. Similarly, Section 3 of the Protection of women from Domestic Violence Act protect women from domestic abuse. It also does not take men into consideration. The existence of such laws create the presumption that such men are always guilty and women are always innocent. There is no debate that men have committed horrific act of violence against women in the past. However, it does not provide the defense for absence of legislation guarding men against such mistreatment.

STATISTICS ON MALE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: COMPARISON OF INDIA WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

A study was conducted by Save Family Foundation in India which surveyed 1650 Husbands within the age group of 15-49 years using random sampling. It was found that economic violence is widespread with 32.8%, followed by emotional violence with 25.2%, physical violence with

22.2% and sexual violence with 17.7%.

A report was submitted by National Crime Report bureau, Suicide report of 2020, published in Oct 2021. The report presented the suicide percentage of different genders. Male suicidal instances were too high in comparison to women. The findings were as such-

Total suicides in the country were around 153052 in the year 2020, out of which 108532, constituting 70.9% of the total figure were men and 44498, constituting 29.1% of the total figure were women. This data although does not indicate that the suicides were the result of domestic violence but it has to be taken into account that there has been certain kind of abused which led them to take such extreme step.

Another survey was conducted upon 1000 men belonging to the village of Haryana, between the age group of 21-49 years. It was revealed that 52.4% male in India encounter gender based violence be it economic, psychological, physical or sexual violence.

These are very few established events of such abuse, there is plethora of such happening where no attention is drawn to the issue and the victims go unheard. Not just India, the cases of Domestic abuse against men is rising globally. Talking about United States of America, it was reported that one out of 9 men experience abuse at the hand of their spouses or intimate partners.

One out of 7 males has suffered physical violence at the hands of their partners.

In the United Kingdom, men make up 2 out of 5 victims of domestic violence. The common misconception that domestic violence affects only women is debunked by it. According to the Men’s Rights Advocacy group “Parity”, Domestic abuse against men typically goes unreported and its perpetrators are rarely arrested. Between 2004–2005 and 2008–2009, 40% of persons were arrested, according to a British crime research. The most frequent targets of domestic violence against men are strangers and public settings. Since the age of 15, 1 in every 16 Australian men has experienced physical or sexual torture at the hands of their wives, intimate partners, or roommates.

One man was killed each month between 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 as a consequence of domestic abuse committed by his former or present spouse.

According to these studies and surveys from different countries, domestic violence against men by their husbands or intimate partners is not unusual. There should be in place appropriate methods for addressing domestic violence in a more impartial manner.

REASONS WHY MEN’S DOMESTIC ABUSE CASES GO UNREPORTED

  • Men frequently experience discrimination or feel uncomfortable discussing the violence they encounter because they are afraid of being evaluated and characterized as weak and submissive.
  • Because of the gender biased and gender specific laws in India, men frequently believe that disclosing the violence can create unnecessary commotion and that they do not want to face the legal repercussions.
  • Most Indians continue to reside with their families even after getting married. Because of this, men are embarrassed to speak about the violence. Additionally, society has a significant impact on maintaining discriminatory laws and attitudes towards a particular gender.
  • The vast majority of people think that women are the primary victims of domestic abuse.

They remain in denial when they find out that a guy might be a victim of domestic abuse. As a result, nobody really wants to discuss it.

FIGHT FOR MEN’S RIGHTS

Although no laws are there to protect men from abuse, but many men’s rights activists have taken various step to address this issue.

On April 04 2013, Save India Foundation has conducted a candlelight vigil in memory of Manoj Kumar, a resident of Bangalore, who committed suicide because he could no longer stand the harassment from his wife and mother-in-law.

Another instance is where, women marched from Rajghat to Parliament as part of an initiative by the NGO Akhil Bhartiya Naari Raksha Manch, which focused on the egregious abuse of women's protection legislation. After holding a news conference, they delivered a memo to the Commission for Women, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Home Minister, the Law Minister, the Hon'ble President of India, and the Prime Minister.

Ram Prakash Chugh, a Supreme Court attorney who deals with false dowry cases and torture cases, is the man who started the movement to battle for men's rights. It was known as the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Husbands' Crime against Man Cell.

Many people work to advance women's rights, but Ms. Deepekika Bhardwaj, a former journalist and documentary filmmaker, stood out and chose to speak out against the injustices suffered by males.

CONCLUSION

Industrialization and westernization have had a significant impact on recent years' changes in society's ideals, norms, and culture. Males were once thought to be the protectors of their families, but today both sexes labor, raise children and manage households while making equal contributions to their income. Men are starting to speak out about the domestic abuse they experience and are starting to openly express their grief, agony, and difficulties. Strength-wise, men are no longer stronger than women. Its high time that the legislature takes into consideration this problem and make laws for their protection. Domestic violence against men must me made a criminal offence under Indian Penal Code. Men and Women both are foundation of a community and a family. Therefore, laws are needed to safeguard both parties from marital violence. 

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