Sociocultural and Legal Aspects of Violence Against Men

Introduction

The term “domestic violence” includes a broad range of violent acts committed by one member of a family or household against another. It often refers to the mistreatment of a child or spouse, and includes not only physical harm but also threats and verbal, psychological, and sexual abuse.1 The relationship of the abuser to the victim is the key distinction between other assault crimes and domestic violence. In India, domestic violence is always believed to be inflicted on women. However, during personal interactions with many males in society and in the organized setups such as industries and offices, it was observed that men also suffer from domestic violence. Due to stereotyped gender roles, it is hardly believed by society that a woman can inflict violence on men. Many courts also commented on false allegations of domestic violence by women. Men are still not ready to speak of this violence against them and they are ignorant about any legal help to avoid this.

This article aims to explore the current scenario of violence against men, and identify the probable reasons and effects of unresolved and underreported violence against them. It also discusses the legal and sociocultural issues regarding this and the preventive strategies in that can be implied in reducing the violence against men.

Comparison of India and Other Countries

The prevalence of spouse/intimate partner violence (51.5%) in the latest Indian study2 was found to be higher than data collected for domestic violence under partner abuse state of knowledge project (PASK) from the USA, Canada, and the UK (19.3%).3

Domestic violence was recognized as a criminal offense in India in 1983. The offense is chargeable under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code.4

Prevalence

Scarce research data on domestic violence against men are available in the scientific literature.

However, according to a recent study,2 51.5% males experienced violence at the hands of their wives/intimate partner at least once in their lifetime and 10.5% in the last 12 months.

According to the National Family Health Survey, 2004, this violence is not always inflicted by the female partner/wife but many a time by a male relative of the wife attacks or threatens the man. When physical violence and threats against men by wife’s relatives are taken into account, an estimated 3 crore men are facing domestic violence in India.5

In a study conducted by My Nation along with Save Family Foundation (Delhi) on domestic violence against men, between April 2005 and March 2006, 1,650 men were interviewed and their personal cases looked into. The study concluded that Indian women were the most abusive and dominating.6

From all over India, 98% of the respondents had suffered domestic violence more than once in their lives. The study covered Indian husbands from various socioeconomic strata, but the bulk of the respondents, according to the researchers, came from the upper middle class and the middle class.6

Nadda et al7 found much higher physical violence, 35% and 26.9%, respectively, against women this reflecting that Indian women are much less physically aggressive than Indian men. Gender symmetry does not exist in India for physical violence.

Types of Violence

Domestic violence has been recognized across the world as a form of violence that affects a person’s life in every way, physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically, and is a violation of basic human rights. In a recent study by Malik and Nadda,2 the most common spousal violence was found to be emotional followed by physical violence.

Sexual Abuse

This can happen if the husband denies sex. According to a study by Malik and Nadda,2 only 0.4% men had experienced sexual violence.

Types of Crime Committed Against Men in India

At home or at the workplace to avoid punishments or to get some rewards, men too can be involved in sexual activity by force. In many states of India, a young man with good qualifications and income is abducted and forced to marry without his consent. False rape and other charges such as molestation are also common. Since law and society always traditionally favor females as the weaker sex, many a time, false complaints of sexual abuse/rape are lodged against men. This is true regarding cases against men under 498A (domestic violence) and false dowry cases, and the same was expressed by various courts during their proceedings.

Sociocultural and Psychological Dimensions of Violence Against Men

There can be various reasons for violence against men in a domestic environment.

Social and Legal Reasons for Underreporting

In a male-dominated society, men feel that it is shameful to be beaten by a woman and they do not report the violence. The pressure from family also prevents them from taking any legal action, and they are also afraid of getting trapped in false accusation under 498A. When men report domestic abuse and violence, people do not believe them. Also, when these men try to complain about these problems, within marriage and family, no one takes them seriously. Many men are ashamed of talking about and sharing that they are beaten by their wives.6

The probable reasons for underreporting include belief and hope that things would get better, fear of losing social respect and position, protection, love toward their children and family, and fear of getting blamed. Complaining by men also can be perceived as “feminine behavior” in the male-dominated Indian society.8

Effects of Domestic Violence Against Men

Any violence affects life physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. It is also a violation of basic human rights. Unreported and unnoticed violence against men may lead to denial in accepting the family, divorce, depression, or suicide in extreme cases.6 It has been observed that suicides were more in married men as compared to separated/unmarried men.6 According to WHO (2002), women think more about committing suicide, whereas men die by suicide more frequently. This is also known as a gender paradox in society.

According to WHO,9 exposure to violence can increase the risk of smoking, alcoholism, and drug abuse; mental illness and suicidality; chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer; infectious diseases such as HIV, and social problems such as crime and further violence.

Legal Issues

Despite the data available, suggesting violence against men, no law to protect men is yet to be formed by the legislature. All laws for controlling domestic violence consider women as victims. Antidowry laws Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and later Section 498A passed by the Supreme Court of India already show the concern and asked to stop the “Legal Terrorism” in the form of misuse of 498A and the necessary changes to be made by the Parliament.6

Other Laws in Favor of Women

Adultery considers man as a culprit. There is no law under which a man can lodge a complaint against his wife or in-laws. In fact, most of the time the woman lodges a false complaint against him under 498A. In the case of divorce and child custody laws, a woman is looked at more sympathetically and is considered as a victim. The same is true regarding the maintenance after divorce. The number of false allegations on men regarding rape and sexual harassment is increasing.

Need for Gender Neutral Laws

In cases where men are falsely accused of violence or dowry, a law which can address these false allegations is the need of the hour. Human rights and gender equality should include both men and women. Domestic violence should be considered as spousal violence and must not be differentiated due to gender.

Domestic violence act in India is for women only. Studies show that men are also the victims of violence at the hand of women. Hence, necessary amendments addressing violence against men are suggested.2

Conclusion

The family structure and society are changing, and the same is true with the norms and values regarding gender violence. Men also are physically and mentally harassed by their spouses and in-laws. Hence, their problems must be recognized as a social and public health issue, and appropriate strategies and interventions should be implemented. They too need help in crisis and family violence, especially by spouse.8 Even the laws and legislation must include domestic violence against men as a punishable offense. Men and women are the pillars of society and a family. Hence, laws are needed to offer protection to both from spousal violence.