TSUMEB – Deputy Police Commissioner William Peter says despite the recent spate of acts of violence against women, some women also abuse their men who continue to suffer in silence.
“Men are afraid of stepping forward, because they feel it is unheard of and very embarrassing, no one would take an abused man seriously. Men need to change, we need to change the way we treat our women and children,” said Peter. He said in most cultures men are perceived as strong and invulnerable, therefore if a man reports that he is the victim of physical abuse at the hands of a woman society tends to be unsympathetic and will ridicule and even laugh at such male victims. “I know of many men in our community that are being abused. More and more men are being abused by their spouses and I urge them to come forward,” said Peter. Community leaders in the Oshikoto Region have reported cases of men being emotionally and physically abused by their women. “Men would rather resort to violence, but there is another way. They can go to a police station or a woman and child protection unit, the traditional authorities, magistrate’s courts, churches, regional councillors or the Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare if they need help, whichever they feel most comfortable with,” said Peter.
He says the ridiculing and shaming of men who report their women for spousal abuse has to do with culture and traditional values in many communities across the nation. Peter conceded that men are more physically abusive compared to women, however he said such abuse is often the result of provocation. “A person will not just attack for no reason. We discovered in 2003 that men being abused has become a norm in the region through community meetings,” added Peter.
By John Travolter Matali