INTRODUCTION :

Domestic violence includes any form of violence suffered by a person from a biological relative. The relationship between the abuser and the victim is the key to distinguish other assault crime and domestic violence .The Stereotyped gender roles make it very hard to believe that men too can be the victims of domestic violence .The main agenda of this article is to highlight the legal and sociocultural issues and the various preventive strategies that can be exercised in reducing violence against men .

TYPES OF VIOLENCE :

1.      PHYSICAL VIOLENCE : It occurs when someone uses a part of their body or an object to control a person’s action .

2.      PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE : It occurs when someone uses threats and causes fear in an individual to gain control.

3.      SEXUAL ABUSE :It occurs when a person is forced to unwillingly take part in sexual activity .

THE FOLLOWNG IS CURRENT SCENARIO REGARDING VIOLENCE AGAINST MEN IN INDIA :

v  According to the current head-count , 52.4% of men experienced gender based violence in India .

v  Out of 1000 Males , nearly 51.5 % of men experienced violence at the hands of their wives/ intimate partner at least one in their lifetime and 10.5 % in last 12 months .

v  Unfortunately , India does not draw its breath for gender symmetry in physical violence against men.

TYPES OF CRIME PREVAILING AGAINST MEN IN INDIA :

Ø  FALSE DOWRY.

Ø  MARRIAGE WITHOUT CONSENT.

Ø  FALSE MOLESTATION CHARGES.

Ø  498A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

SOCIOCULTURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST MEN :

1.      SOCIOCULTURAL : Generally , caste and socioeconomic status is not found significantly associated with violence against men . Instead it is found that physical violence can be committed by both the spouses against each other .

2.      PSYCHOLOGICAL : Financial hurdles such as husband’s poor income or more income by wife also tends to be one of the driving factor in violence against men , leading to serious anger management issues and sometimes verbal/ physical abuse.

UNDER REPORTING :

Given the machoism that society accepts men to have it in a way leads to under reporting to such crimes . Family pressure acts as a major concern for any victim seeking legal help . Even if somebody does try to seek help ; the lack of belief renders him to lose  his morale due to the existing stereotype, regarding men in our society.

Although the Indian society is male dominated , mostly such complains are dogged by simply labelling them as muliebrity.

EFFECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST MEN :

These violence incidents also tend to drain them emotionally , physically , mentally and Psychologically. As per WHO married men die by suicide more frequently which is the prime example of gender paradox in our Indian society.

LEGAL ISSUES :

Despite the technological advances and the Transparency of information , the violence against men has not caught the eye of Indian society . The reason being, the lack of an abstract law to protect men . In fact , to the amazement , men turn out to be the silent victims in all such cases.

OTHER LAWS IN FAVOUR OF WOMEN :

Generally , adultery considers man as a culprit . Also , there is no existence of any law under which a man can lodge a complaint against his wife or in-laws . In fact, this goes the other way around leading to filing of false complaint against him under 498A .

In the day to day cases of divorce and child custody norms, a women is looked upon more sympathetically and is often considered as a victim . The same fact also holds as much weightage during the maintenance after divorce. The false allegation conventions have let to an abrupt increase in the sexual harassment and rape charges against men .

NEED FOR GENDER NEUTRAL LAWS :

In cases where men are falsely accused of violence or dowry, a law which can address these false allegations is the need of the hour . The pre- requisites under human rights and gender equality must include both men and women . Domestic violence should be seen as spousal violence rather than gender based violence . Domestic violence act in India is for women only .violence against men should be incorporated in the legislature .

CONCLUSION :

The problems faced by men must recognized as social and public health issues , rather than agenda biased debate standing in the way of justice . And appropriate strategies as well as interventions should be implemented . We need to step into their shoes and understand that they too need help during crises from the family especially by their spouse .

The legislature must see to it that domestic violence against men is seen as a punishable offence under the eyes of law . We as citizens need to realize that both men and women are the pillar of society and need to act as a family; in order to forcee the necessary laws to offer protection to both from spousal violence .

DECLARATION OF CONFLICTING INTEREST :

We do not intend to raise a finger against any type of religious , ethical , societal sentiments , neither do we tend to disrespect research , authorship or publication regarding this article .