According to psychology Today domestic violence can be said to be physical or psychological, and it can affect anyone of any age, gender, race or sexual orientation. It may include behaviors meant to scare, physically harm, or control a partner. And while every relationship is different, domestic violence typically involves an unequal power dynamic in which one partner tries to assert control over the other in a variety of ways.
The face of an abuser isn’t easy to spot as they hide in plain sight exhibiting the best behaviours, they usually have a welcoming personality, but turn out to be monsters behind the mask.
While women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence, men also tend to go through the same predicament in the hands of their partners be it a female partner or a heterosexual partner.
The story of Jordan Worth who was the first woman to be prosecuted for domestic violence against men under the domestic abuse laws introduced in 2015 in the United Kingdom (UK) who abused her then-boyfriend Alex Skeel, 22, by subjecting Skeel to multiple physical injuries, including starvation, stabbing, third-degree burns and also kept him away from his family is one that would not be easily forgotten in the history of domestic violence against men.
Skeel however, is just one of the brave men out of so many others to speak about his an ordeal in the hands of his violent partner, as it happens that several men find it difficult to speak up on matters affecting them due to stigmatization, loss of respect, shame etc. they might face from both family and friends.
In Ireland, there is currently only one dedicated national service supporting men and their families experiencing domestic violence that is the Men’s Aid Ireland which was founded in meanwhile the suicide rate of men in Ireland is 83%.
This podcast will cover an interview with a victim of domestic violence, answer certain questions such as do men experience domestic violence? And why do they refuse to speak up even when they do?
