Help available for male victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence – Dr Husbands

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Sexual Crimes and Domestic Violence Policy Unit stands as a pillar of support for male victims of domestic violence. It offers a wide array of essential services that are tailored to the specific needs of such victims.
This is according to the Unit’s Manager Dr Cona Husbands, who is encouraging men to take advantage of the ministry’s resources to access the assistance they so rightfully deserve. Domestic violence against men, she said, is a complex issue that can manifest in various forms within domestic environments, such as marriage or cohabitation.
During a recent telephone interview with this newspaper, Dr. Husbands spoke of the different dimensions of abuse, noting emotional, verbal and financial abuse as prevalent types that male victims encounter. She said that emotional abuse, for instance, may involve demeaning remarks or threats to a victim’s masculinity; while verbal abuse includes coercive language aimed at subjugating and manipulating individuals. Financial abuse, on the other hand, could entail the exertion of control over earnings or their misuse, resulting in victims feeling disempowered and helpless.
Further, Dr Husbands underscored the societal challenges surrounding the recognition and addressing of sexual abuse against men, and said the unit is striving to break the existing stigma through the ministry’s unwavering commitment to providing professional and confidential services to all victims.
Meanwhile, the ministry’s inclusive approach ensures that both male and female victims receive the support they need, including counselling and legal aid, at no cost to them. In 2023 alone, the ministry handled 500 cases of domestic violence involving male victims, underscoring the prevalence of this issue, and the urgency of collective action to combat it.
Dr Husbands is calling on the public to actively participate in raising awareness and showing solidarity to male victims of domestic violence. She has emphasized the importance of fostering a society where all forms of abuse are recognized and addressed effectively.