Hope for Male Victims of Domestic Violence

Thank you for visiting my fundraiser! I am organizing this fundraiser for male victims of domestic abuse and violence, with all proceeds being donated to The ManKind Project USA (www.mkpusa.org). Having just left an abusive marriage where I tolerated emotional, mental, and physical abuse for far too long, I realized that there are more of us (men) out there who have experienced this than I thought. The CDC reports that 1 in 10 men are victims of physical abuse from their partner, and 1 in 3 are victims of mental and emotional abuse. While there are lots of resources available to women in similar situations, resources for men are almost nonexistent. As men, we are told to “take the high road” and to suffer in silence- and by doing so we sacrifice our mental and physical health in the process.

I spent the last few years living in a mentally, emotionally, and physically abusive relationship. I did not want to say anything because I loved my wife and I made a commitment. I did not want anyone else to see that side of her, the side she keeps hidden. Discussions about her abuse would just lead to more abuse towards me. I believed that as her husband I am to protect her image, so I always said “I’m fine” when I really wasn’t. Men aren’t supposed to give up, right? I finally made the decision to end the marriage and stop the abuse. That’s just the start of it though.

Family Courts are a nightmare for men. Women are often awarded at least ½ of a family home, even when provided solely by the husband. Kids are assumed to go with the mother, and any resistance to this is met with attacks from attorneys and false accusations to further punish the husbands- all for loving the wrong person. This can leave a man not just broken, but lost- hopeless- simply at their end. Unfortunately, it is the end for too many men, and there just is not enough support for them. We just say “I’m fine” and keep going on as an empty shell, waiting to be crushed. If you look around at the men in your life, how many are saying “I’m fine?”

My goal for this is to help fund support for male victims of domestic abuse and violence so they do not have to go through this alone. Despite my situation, the funds are not for me and every penny will go to The ManKind Project USA (www.mkpusa.org). There are thousands or men right now who need to know that they are not abandoned at a time when everything is being ripped away from them. They are fathers, sons, brothers, neighbors, coworkers, the man who smiles every day, and the ones who drink every day too. They are everywhere, in every profession, all around us. Every little bit helps. The man it helps save may be the man right next to you.