Stay Informed

June is Men’s Health Month and is widely celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, and outreach activities. It is important to discuss the effects of domestic violence on men’s health because domestic violence affects individuals regardless of gender. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adult men in the United States will be the victim of domestic violence in their lifetime. This equates to nearly three million male domestic violence victims every year, or one man in America abused by an intimate or domestic partner every 37.8 seconds! Research suggests that domestic violence is associated with serious, long-term effects on men’s mental health. Symptoms of depression were nearly three times as common in older men who had experienced abuse than in those who had not experienced abuse, with much more severe depression in the men who had been abused physically. Male victims, just like female victims, often deal with intense self-doubt and anxiety before reaching out for help. One major barrier faced by male victims is the belief that domestic violence laws and resources do not apply to them. Fortunately, this is not the truth and the Marjaree Mason Center is working to raise awareness of available domestic violence services among male victims. The Marjaree Mason Center’s comprehensive domestic violence services, including 24/7 crisis support, safe housing, counseling, and legal assistance are inclusive to victims of all genders.