Male victims of domestic abuse & time for culture change

Domestic abuse in Guyana has long been framed as a women’s issue. While this focus is understandable given the historical and statistical realities, it has inadvertently left male victims invisible, their suffering minimised, and their cries for help dismissed. Remarks by Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindyha Persaud at the Men’s Wellness Symposium on International Men’s Day expose a stark truth: Guyana has allowed cultural biases and institutional shortcomings to persist at the expense of men who are victims of abuse. This must change.
Persaud’s critique is unflinching. She highlights a pervasive culture in which male victimisation is normalised, ignored, or even ridiculed. Men who attempt to report abuse often encounter mockery at police stations or disbelief from authorities, an experience that discourages reporting and compounds trauma. This is not a matter of isolated incidents; it reflects systemic failings within both society and law enforcement. Courage to report abuse, especially for men, is fragile and fleeting. When institutions respond with derision, victims retreat into silence, leaving cycles of violence unbroken.
Cultural attitudes play an equally destructive role. Deeply entrenched ideas about masculinity, linking male identity with toughness and emotional invulnerability, create an environment in which suffering is seen as shameful. As Persaud observed, people often know men who are being abused yet dismiss their experiences. Changing laws alone will not suffice; societal norms that excuse abuse, diminish victims, or stigmatise male vulnerability must be confronted.
The government has begun to address these challenges through initiatives such as the “Bridging the Gap” policy framework, which incorporates the Partner Assault Relationship Programme. These programmes aim to examine the root causes of abuse, promote healthier relationships, and provide pathways for prevention. Complementary initiatives, including the Brave Program, emphasise positive masculinity and the contributions men make to families and communities. By reframing the conversation, these measures confront stereotypes that have historically silenced male victims.
Yet programmes and policies can only be effective if institutional practices align with them. Police stations, legal services, and social support mechanisms must ensure that male victims receive the same respect, attention, and protection as any other victim of abuse. The Minister’s call for law enforcement officers to respond without ridicule is urgent and necessary. The courage required for a man to report abuse can be destroyed in an instant by laughter or mockery; any society serious about justice must ensure that such courage is met with support rather than humiliation.
The consequences of inaction are not abstract. Persaud warns of broken households, absent parents, and children left vulnerable to trauma – a pattern already visible in communities across the country. Male victimisation is a family issue, a societal issue, and a matter of national concern. Gender-neutral laws, such as the Family Violence Act of 2024, are critical, but the law is only as effective as the willingness of institutions and citizens to enforce and uphold it.
The imperative is clear: cultural change and institutional accountability must move in tandem. Services such as the 914 hotline, the iMatter app, counselling services, legal pro bono initiatives, and shelters must be actively promoted as gender-neutral and accessible. At the same time, public discourse must confront the stigma surrounding male vulnerability and challenge norms that excuse or conceal abuse. Responsibility, respect, and wellness cannot be gendered values; they are universal expectations.
Persaud’s interventions represent a decisive step toward inclusion and recognition of male victims of domestic abuse. Yet, real progress requires more than policies or programmes; it demands collective societal courage to confront biases, demand institutional accountability, and redefine masculinity in a way that does not punish vulnerability. Silence and ridicule are luxuries the nation can no longer afford.
The country must embrace a comprehensive, gender-inclusive approach to domestic abuse, one that validates every victim, challenges every cultural norm that excuses violence, and holds institutions accountable for their responses.