Social Worker Sharing

When you think about domestic abuse, violence or coercion and control what comes to mind? When you think about the victims or survivors what do you think of? My guess is that you automatically think of a woman being abused by a man. People do not instantly jump to a man being the “victim” or the survivor. There are so many stereotypes around what men should be. They should be the provider, strong and in charge. They are taught to not cry or show emotion unless that emotion is anger. We seem to be indifferent and don't really question when men are angry or lash out. It is almost as if it is an expectation of them due to gender but if someone female presenting did the same they would be seen as hormonal, emotional or unstable. Boys are brought up from a young age that you do not cry, you have to be tough or you protect others such as siblings, this has such an impact on them as adults not just as individuals but in terms of the types of relationships they get into and behaviour ...