Tips for a Healthy Life

Violence is a Man's Issue

Violence is a man's issue for many reasons. Gun violence, especially homicide, is a problem that mostly affects young men. Of all the homicides reported in the 18 to 24 age group in 2004, 86 percent of the victims were males. In 2004, the Black population had a homicide victimization rate that was six times that of the White population, and males were almost four times more likely than females to be murdered. Also, a nationwide survey found male students more likely to have been involved in a physical fight than female students in the 12 months preceding the survey.

Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all U.S. men. Suicide rates increase with age and are highest among White men who are 65 years and older. In 2003, the suicide rate for older White men was two to four times the rate for older men in other race/ethnicities groups. Older adults who are suicidal are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and suffering from physical illnesses, and be divorced or widowed. Suicide is also a problem for young men. In 2003 men 15-19 years of age were more than four times as likely to die from suicides as girls their same age. American Indian and Alaskan Natives have the highest suicide rate in this age group.

Many people don't talk about the fact that men are sometimes victims of intimate partner violence. Only 20 percent to 50 percent of all the different forms of intimate partner violence are reported to the police, and even fewer against men are reported. While women are more likely to be victims of sexual violence than men, this finding may be influenced by the reluctance of men to report sexual violence. Many times, men who are victims of these crimes remain silent and suffer alone.

Get Help for Violence in Your Life

Intimate Partner Violence – including Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence

Violence against anyone, in any form, is a crime, regardless of who committed the violent act. It is always wrong, whether the abuser is a family member; someone you date; a current or past spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend; an acquaintance; or a stranger. You are not at fault. You did not cause the abuse to occur, and you are not responsible for the violent behavior of someone else. If you or someone you know has been sexually, physically, or emotionally abused, seek help from other family members and friends or community organizations. Reach out for support or counseling. Talk with a doctor, especially if you have been physically hurt. Learn how to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse before you find yourself in an uncomfortable or threatening situation.

If you're a victim of violence at the hands of someone you know or love or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone.

Helping Prevent Violence Among Youth

You also can learn how you can help any young boys in your life to prevent violence. Teach them early and often that there is no place for violence in a relationship and that violence of any kind is always wrong. Whether you are a father, coach, teacher, uncle, older brother, or mentor, you can make a real difference in a boy's life. Many young men need advice and direction on how to behave towards women and they want to talk to you about it. You can share your experiences and let them know what you've learned.

Womenshealth.gov's web site section on Violence Against Women will provide you with information on intimate partner violence, dating and sexual violence, stalking, and elder abuse, including specific resources on how to get help.

Additional Information on Violence Prevention:

Publications

Homicide Trends in the U.S. - Intimate Homicide - This is a portion of the publication by the Bureau of Justice Statistics entitled Homicide Trends in the United States. It provides statistical information on the percentage of homicides by intimate partners.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/intimates.htm

Homicide Trends in the U.S. - Trends by Gender - This is a portion of the report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics entitled Homicide in the United States. This section provides information on the gender differences in both the perpetrators and the victims of homicide.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/gender.htm

Physical Fighting Facts and Statistics - This fact sheet provides statistical information on the prevalence of physical fighting among teens. It discusses the connection between fighting, substance abuse, weapon carrying, and other high risk behavior.

http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/faq/physfightstats.asp

What You Can Do If You Are a Victim of Crime - This publication contains information on what you can do if you've been a victim of crime and lists resources that can help.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/factshts/whatyoucando/fs000301.pdf

Are You Being Abused? (Copyright © DAHM) - This fact sheet, written for men, explains why men may stay in an abusive relationship, how to know if you have been abused, why men are less likely to report abuse, and where you can get help.

http://www.dahmw.info/abused.html

Coaching Boys into Men (Copyright © FVPF) - This brochure encourages parents, teachers, coaches, and other role models to play an active role in teaching boys about violence against women and suggests strategies for how to teach them.

http://endabuse.org/programs/printable/display.php3?DocID=9916

http://seeitandstopit.org/pages/stopit/if_abuser.html

Male Survivors of Sexual Assualt (Copyright © MCSR) - This fact sheet explains the incidence of sexual assault on men, and why it is an underreported issue. It explores common questions about perpetrators of male rape, sexuality, how to respond sensitively to male rape survivors and where they can go for help.

http://www.mencanstoprape.org/info-url2699/info-url_show.htm?doc_id=49604

http://www.mencanstoprape.org/info-url2699/info-url_show.htm?doc_id=49607

Tough Talk: What boys need to know about relationship abuse (Copyright © www.loveisnotabuse.com) - Developed by Liz Claiborne Inc., the content-rich handbook includes a clear definition of relationship abuse, as well as practical guidelines and suggested questions for men to use when starting a conversation with the boys in their lives about the subject of abuse. Resources for additional information and support are also provided, including Web site addresses and phone numbers for national domestic violence prevention organizations.

http://loveisnotabuse.com/pdf/tt_brochure.pdf

When Men Are Victims (Copyright © FCASV) - Men and boys are often reluctant to report the crime of sexual assault, or to seek services, because they feel humiliated, shamed, or confused by the crime or because they feel that seeking help will make them feel vulnerable or weak. Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault needs compassion, sensitivity and caring, and male victims may also have special needs to consider.

http://www.fcasv.org/2005_Web/Publications/men.htm

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of June 2007