Domestic violence against men is more prevalent than most people realize. Although the true extent of the problem is hard to determine because of mens’ reluctance to come forward, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that:

1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.

Domestic violence, also known as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is serious and is not tolerated by the courts regardless of whether the victim is male or female. Unfortunately, men are often quite poor at being heard as IPV victims and their reticence to testify can place them at a great disadvantage in court.

False Allegations

Physical abuse is not the only way DV is used against men in family court. False allegations are commonly made against men as a preemptive strike to gain initial temporary custody of the children and place men at a distinct disadvantage in the subsequent divorce.

As upsetting as it is to be falsely accused of being a wife–beater, the ramifications of such an accusation are never-ending. While he struggles to defend himself in court in order to protect his rights as a father, an innocent man must also watch as his social and career network disintegrates in front of him. Nobody wants to be associated with an abuser – and nobody stops to ask if the allegations are true.

At the Alaska Divorce Center for Men we have supported many men through court as they fight to bring physical violence against them to light or to defend themselves against untrue allegations of abuse. We find common questions and situations arise around the topic of physical violence against men, and we write about these issues here: