Dwayne Joseph Jr.
MC 301 Contributor/Staff
When the subject of domestic violence comes to mind, most people visualize women being victimized physically, emotionally or mentally by men, but that is not always the case.
Keisha Varnell, Student Wellness and Leadership Coordinator in the Latasha Norman Center, dispels this myth.
“Domestic violence is not just a woman’s issue. It can happen to men as well as women, however, reports from men are under reported,” said Varnell.
Jerricka Cole, a sophomore social work major, agrees with Varnell.
“Women can physically abuse men. All men are not aggressive and some women are masculine,” said the Little Rock, Ark. native.
According to hotline.org, more than one in four men (28.5 percent) in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Morris Bowman, a junior history major from Itta Bena, Miss., believes that men are silent about these situations because of the perception that they are stronger than women.
“Men are looked on as strong and powerful, as for women, they are looked on as weak and frail. No one expects a woman to beat up a man,” said Bowman.
According to domesticviolencestatistics.org, 40 percent of victims of severe physical domestic violence are men. The report states that men fear ridicule from peers and law enforcement, so these occurrences are often not reported.
Stuart Williams, a junior biology/pre-med major from Terry, Miss. said, “As a man, I would never allow a woman to abuse me. I would just leave the situation. Violence in relationships is dangerous.”
Another alarming statistic found in this study was that although there has been an increase in the number of fatal domestic violence incidents against women, men are more likely to be victims of attacks with a deadly weapon. According to the study, 63 percent of males as opposed to 15 percent of females had a deadly weapon used against them in a fight with an intimate partner.
Some students at Jackson State University believe that it is impossible for a man to get abused by a woman.
Jann Butler, a junior computer engineering major from Moss Point, Miss., said domestic violence cases against men are unheard of.
“I don’t know too many cases about a man being abused and quite frankly I don’t take it serious,” said Butler.
However, other students believe domestic violence should be taken seriously, whether it is a man or a woman getting abused.
Jamerious Sykes, a senior lifelong learning interdisciplinary studies major from Port Gibson, Miss., is against domestic violence of any kind.
“No one should get abused or talked about because they are in an abusive relationship despite their gender. I will never put my hands on a woman to prove my masculinity,” said Sykes.
The Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence (MCADV) helps those in domestic abuse situations and those at risk for abuse.
This year’s theme: Engaging Men in the Effort to End Domestic Violence, features a voluntary pledge for men to take a stance against partner violence by making a pledge to never abuse a significant other.
If you would like to “Take the Pledge” visit www.mcadv.org and stop the cycle of abuse.
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