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Violence Prevention

Home > Men's Health Home > Violence Prevention

• Violence Is a Man's Issue
• Get Help for Violence in Your Life
• Help Prevent Violence Among Youth
• Additional Resources

Violence Is a Man's Issue

Consider that:

• 86 percent of homicide deaths for victims 18 to 24 years of age are males.
• Homicide is the 5th leading cause of death for black males.
• Males are almost four times more likely than females to be murdered.
• Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death for all U.S. men.

The statistics on violent deaths tell only part of the story, however. Many more survive violence and are left with permanent physical and emotional scars. Men also are more likely than women to commit acts of violence. One 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.

Many people don't talk about the fact that men are sometimes victims of intimate partner violence or sexual 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. Although 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. Rape is a serious issue among incarcerated men. 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. Keep in mind, 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.

Are You Violent?

Maybe you abuse somebody you love. Perhaps you lash out physically at others when angry. If you want to stop the cycle of violence in your life, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you find a mental health professional, who can help you deal with your abuse. You also can find mental health services near you by using the Mental Health Services Locator.

Help Prevent Violence Among Youth

Acts of violence have terrible and costly results for everyone involved, including families, communities, and society. Preventing violence is top public health priority in the United States. You can do your part by being a good role model to the young men in your life. 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 their peers, 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 Resources

Publications

1.   Homicide Trends in the U.S. — Intimate Homicide — This section, from the Bureau of Justice Statistics publication Homicide Trends in the United States, provides statistical information on homicides by intimate partners.

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

2.   Homicide Trends in the U.S. — Trends by Gender — This section, from the Bureau of Justice Statistics publication Homicide Trends in the United States, provides statistical information on the gender differences among perpetrators and the victims of homicide.

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

3.   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

4. 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

5. Breaking 80: 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/content/features/detail/811/

6. 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

7. Rape as a Men's Issue: Why Should Men Care About Rape? (Copyright © MCSR) — This publication discusses why sexual violence is a male issue. It also features several links to what you can do to prevent rape.

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

8.   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

9. 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. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual assault needs compassion, sensitivity and caring. This publication tells how a victim might feel and what you can do to prevent sexual assault.

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

Organizations

1.   National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS)
2. Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women
3. Family Violence Prevention Fund
4. Men Can Stop Rape
5. Men Stopping Violence
6. National Center for Victims of Crime
7. National Domestic Violence Hotline
8. National Organization on Male Sexual Victimization
9. Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network

= Indicates Federal Resources