It s crucial to distinguish between the frightened man and the blaming man. But that still does not justify hurting her back. Chris Berry of the Men s Domestic Conflict Help Line helps broaden the view. It s abuse if you continually feel disrespected, if you continually feel put down and devalued. The difficulty is that the police can really only address a physical act.
Abuse is abuse is abuse, no matter who is on the receiving end.
The Men s Domestic Conflict Help Line was established two years ago for both perpetrators as well as men who are victims. They receive about 100 calls each month from men, and about 10 per cent of those are from men who identified themselves as being victims of abuse, according to Berry. Very few, probably 10 of the calls in total would be what we would call high risk. Safety for the children is the biggest concern. Shelters are just one option, and they re very expensive, and only temporary.