November 19 is International Men's Day

What almost nobody knows is that every year on November 19 is International Men's Day. Of course, men are also affected by violence. 29.5% of boys and men experience violence in a domestic context. It is just as important to name the structural differences between these forms of violence.

Men who are affected by intimate partner violence often state that they also use violence in this relationship. Violent offenses against men are less severe overall in the context of domestic violence. And they are less likely to be repeated. In general, the perpetrators who use violence against men in various contexts are also mostly male.

The imprinting of stereotypical role models creates expectations of people based solely on their gender: showing feelings is considered unmanly. This is expressed, for example, through violent behavior. Or male victims of violence are ashamed to talk about it. This makes it clear that everyone suffers under the patriarchal social order. And everyone benefits from equality.

The appeal: don't play different groups of people off against each other. Instead, stand up together for a non-violent and just world for all.

Services for men affected by violence:

• Domestic violence against men advice center, contact: 0911/272998-20, bhgm@iska-nuernberg.de
• Riposo men's shelter in Nuremberg, contact: 0911/2354137; riposo@caritas.nuernberg.de
• Help hotline "Violence against men", contact: 0800/1239900; beratung@maennertelefon.de

Counseling for perpetrators:

Gewaltberatung Nürnberg e.V.; contact: 0911/231-5556; info@gewaltberatung-nuernberg.de

Photo: iStock