Wednesday | 15 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
বাংলা
   
Wednesday | 15 January 2025 | Epaper

Domestic violence against men largely goes unnoticed   

Published : Thursday, 21 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 617
Tareq Abedin Siraji
November 19 International Men's day is celebrated worldwide as a major event to ensure the well-being of boys and men, and promote a positive image of men. Still, in the rising discourse of gender equality and women's empowerment, the ignored and under-reported issue remains at the forefront-not only in Bangladesh but in the whole world: domestic violence against men. Although male violence is exceptional, it occurs more or less worldwide and much-needed legal attention has been paid to domestic violence against women, the plight of male victims remains shrouded mainly in the deafening silence of legally protective and societal support.

According to an article published by The Guardian in 2018, one in six men is said to be a victim of domestic violence, but only one in twenty report it. A survey conducted in the year 2020 by the Bangladesh Men's Rights Foundation reported that 80 percent of the married men of our country suffer from psychological torture at the hands of their spouse or other family members.

There is a lack of gender-neutral laws in our country. The Women and Children Repression Prevention Act stands as the primary legal framework for addressing domestic violence in Bangladesh, enacted in 2000. This act remains focused on women and children alone, leaving male victims without adequate legal redress.

The rights accorded to women are stipulated in Articles 27, 28, and 29 of the constitution. Still, there are a variety of laws in the nation that safeguard women. Among the most important legislations are the Women and Child Abuse Act of 2000, the Acid Prevention Act of 2002, the Domestic Violence and Suppression Act of 2010, and the Dowry Prevention Act of 1980. Unfortunately, it is seen that some women now use these laws to dominate men, though these acts were enacted initially to support real victims. But this gendered approach to the law on domestic violence creates a gaping protection disparity. Male victims, many of whom are physically, emotionally, and financially abused, are denied the same legal safeguards and support mechanisms afforded to female victims.

It is obstacles like these that constitute some of the main problems when trying to deal with the situation of domestic violence against men. Societal norms often portray men as strong and stoic; hence, they cannot come out and openly declare that they are being abused. This stigma silences male victims and prevents them from reporting for support on abuse. The fear of judgment or societal disapproval, or even damage to the image of masculinity, often keeps them from coming out for help, hence perpetuating a cycle of silence and suffering.

Available statistics reveal how pervasive domestic violence against men is in Bangladesh, although comprehensive data is lacking. According to the Bangladesh Manabadhikar Bastabayan Sangstha, a non-profit organization working on men's rights, the data obtained from this organization indicates that men are facing all types of domestic violence, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and psychological abuse. Mostly, their spouses are violators of the violence, although in some cases, mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, or other family members are involved.

The lack of attention given to domestic violence against men reflects gender bias that has marred the majority of discussions related to domestic violence. Violence against women is indeed a serious concern and one that is rightly taken seriously, but the experiences of men, in most cases, are relegated to the periphery and ignored. In an unscheduled session on 24 March 2015, an independent legislator, Haji Mohammad Salim, tabled a motion for the promulgation of a law for protecting men from the oppression of women. The proposal did not work. Years ago, former planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said, "We only take a database of women's harassment, but it is necessary to take the men's harassment database to get a clear picture of what is happening in society." Many years have passed, but No visible improvement or initiative has been seen. 
A writ petition was also filed once for amendment of Section 375 of the Penal Code, 1860, substituting the word "women" with "person," hence making the law gender-neutral and extending its protection to male victims of sexual assault.

Gender bias perpetuates several harmful stereotypes that men cannot experience or acknowledge abuse, hence the culture of silence and denial that does not allow domestic violence against men to be effectively handled.

One of the significant concerns prevailing in the law system of Bangladesh is the absence of specific legal frameworks on violence against men. Even though the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, which was enacted in 2000, seems to protect women and children, there is not much a male victim can do regarding marriage, sexual, or other kinds of violence. 

 There are several ways in Bangladesh that this loophole needs to be addressed. It should enact gender-neutral domestic violence legislation and expand the definition of "sexual assault." The expanding definition would ensure that all people, including men, are granted legal protection against sexual violence. The government and non-government organizations should conduct campaigns to spread awareness about violence against men. Also, they can research violence against men and show it to public forums to make people understand the scenario of this problem.

Domestic abuse against men is an actual, grim problem in Bangladesh. Strategies for the said problem include a gender-conformist approach, proper protection of laws, and specialized support services. Suppose there is recognition of the fact that domestic abuse occurs against men, too, confronting gender bias and adopting effective, result-oriented remedial measures. In that case, all individuals may be safeguarded from domestic abuse and empowered to live free from violence. Lastly, I would like to mention out loud, "Together, we can break the silence, challenge the status quo, and forge a path toward a world where every individual-irrespective of gender-lives free from the shackles of violence."

The writer is an LL.B student, Department of Law, World University of Bangladesh



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