A social analysis of violence against men

For years, violence against men has remained an “invisible problem”. The socially constructed image of the “strong man” has kept this issue in the shadows. In most cases, when the word “violence” is raised, public consciousness immediately recalls violence against women. Yet men, too, can become victims both within families and in wider social relations. This raises a key question: why is the issue so rarely seen? The answer is far from simple. On the one hand, men often conceal their experiences of violence, shaped by the expectation of “silent strength”. On the other, legal and social frameworks struggle to recognise men as victims. As a result, statistics remain incomplete, and real cases often go unreported.

Violence is not limited to physical force. It is any coercive act against an individual’s will. Psychological, economic and social pressures also fall within this definition. The United Nations defines violence as “the use of force that harms the other party and compels them into behaviour against their wishes”. This can take both overt forms (such as assault or intimidation) and more hidden ones (such as isolation or restricting financial independence).

Patriarchal culture is one of the main conditions that sustains violence. Gender roles are traditionally divided: men are presented as “strong”, while women are portrayed as “in need of protection”. This framing makes violence appear to be exclusively a women’s issue. Yet the paradox is that the same patriarchal system can also render men vulnerable. Men are expected to suppress emotions and “remain silent”. When subjected to violence, this expectation makes it harder for them to seek help.

Conventional narratives tend to describe violence as an “asymmetric power” directed at women. But in reality, men, too, are targeted both in families and in public life. The paradox is that society struggles to acknowledge violence against men. The prevailing stereotype is that “if a man is beaten, he has lost his manhood”. Such assumptions create blind spots, not only in the legal system, but also in everyday social relations.

The most visible form of violence is physical abuse, yet it is also the least admitted. Research shows that some men are subjected to physical force during family conflicts. However, many are reluctant to speak out. In the public eye, a “man being beaten” is often treated as a joke rather than a serious matter. In reality, it can lead to genuine health problems, ranging from broken bones to chronic injuries.

Psychological violence is more subtle, often expressed through words: humiliation, insults, constant criticism. For men, the most painful aspect is that such behaviour is frequently framed as “normal family communication”. Prolonged psychological pressure can result in depression, loss of self-confidence and, in some cases, an increased risk of suicide.

Economic abuse, though commonly associated with women, can also affect men. Examples include being prohibited from working, having their earnings taken away, or being excluded from financial decision-making. Such practices can place men in both social and economic dependency.

Men are expected to be strong, to remain silent, not to cry, and to hide their fears. These expectations make male victims of violence invisible. When a man asks for help, he is often perceived as “weak” in the eyes of society. This silence creates fertile ground for violence to persist. Studies indicate that only a small proportion of male victims report incidents to the police or social services. Most remain silent out of “shame”. For instance, a survey in the United Kingdom found that only 19% of male victims officially reported cases of violence, while the majority concealed their experiences.

Long-term abuse leaves deep psychological scars. Men frequently experience depression and withdrawal but rarely articulate these struggles openly. Instead, the effects sometimes manifest as aggression or alcohol use. Thus, violence does not only harm the individual, it generates new tensions within families and the wider social environment.

In Azerbaijan, legislation recognises different forms of violence. The Criminal Code addresses physical assault, insults and threats, while the Code of Administrative Offences includes provisions on domestic violence and public order violations. Yet in practice, enforcement is asymmetrical in terms of gender. Special protection mechanisms exist for women and children: shelters, hotlines, NGO projects. For men, however, no equivalent infrastructure is in place.

International instruments reflect a similar imbalance. The Istanbul Convention, for example, is primarily designed to combat violence against women. Male victims are only mentioned indirectly. As a result, the legal framework in Azerbaijan remains weak when it comes to mechanisms specifically designed to protect men.

Officially, the police are obliged to accept every report of violence. Yet when men come forward, they often encounter dismissive attitudes. Interviews reveal that in some cases, officers respond with phrases such as “if there was a fight at home, resolve it yourselves”, and do not formally record the incident. This contributes to the invisibility of male victimisation. Social services show a similar gap. While there are women’s shelters and support centres, there are no dedicated facilities for men. Male victims can only turn to general psychological centres or legal aid services – which, in most cases, are insufficient.

Perhaps the most serious problem is the recognition of victim status. When a woman is subjected to violence, she is automatically granted “victim” status in legal proceedings. For men, the situation is different: they must prove that they have been subjected to violence. This creates both legal and social barriers. In some court cases, men’s complaints are dismissed as “family disputes”, whereas women’s claims are taken more seriously, since legislation prioritises the protection of women. As a result, men’s access to legal protection remains weaker.

Official statistics on violence provide overall figures, but data specific to men is either absent or appears minimal. The issue lies not only in reporting, but in reluctance. Men often avoid approaching the police or social services. In Azerbaijani society, the idea of a man as a victim of violence is frequently met with mockery. Television programmes and social media posts often portray “a man slapped by his wife” as a source of humour, rather than a serious matter. This public perception discourages men from sharing their stories. Yet such stories are not only matters of personal experience, they are vital for shaping social policy.

For example, NGO studies in Azerbaijan reveal that some men have faced physical violence from spouses or parents. However, they chose not to make this public, fearing ridicule from relatives and friends. As a result, statistics remain thin, while the problem persists in the shadows.

International data points to the same challenge. A UK study found that in 2022, 35% of domestic violence victims were men. Yet only a small proportion reported incidents to law enforcement. In the United States, male victimisation has often been downplayed as “domestic disputes” or overlooked under the assumption that “men can endure”. In Australia, a survey showed that 40% of male victims never disclosed their experiences, fearing they would not be taken seriously. These figures highlight that the issue is not merely national, but global.

In Azerbaijan, male experiences of violence rarely enter the public sphere. Occasionally, media headlines appear: “Wife stabs husband” or “Man beaten in domestic dispute”. But these stories quickly disappear from the news cycle and are rarely analysed in depth. Interviews with men reveal that some openly admit to experiencing physical violence from spouses or relatives. Yet they refrain from contacting the police, either out of fear of being ridiculed, or out of concern for “family honour”.

In rural areas, violence often manifests in father–son relationships. Beatings and harsh punishment are legitimised under the name of “discipline”. But such practices leave long-lasting psychological scars. As adults, these men not only conceal their trauma, but in some cases also reproduce patterns of violence.

The invisibility of violence against men is largely rooted in the stereotype that “men are strong and must endure”. Challenging such stereotypes requires education and awareness programmes. Schools, universities and public campaigns should emphasise that violence (whether directed at women, men or children) is harmful to all.

Current legislation and social projects often frame victims solely as women. To change this, the existence of male victims must be made visible. NGOs, the media and state institutions can play a key role by publicising men’s stories and ensuring that legal protection mechanisms function effectively. Dedicated psychological support centres, shelters and hotlines for men are needed. Legally, reporting and court processes should be simplified and free from stigma for male victims.

Psychological support is one of the most important tools to prevent trauma after abuse. Media and popular culture can either reinforce or dismantle stereotypes. Television, film, social media and journalism should present men’s experiences of violence with seriousness rather than humour. Campaigns can both raise awareness among male victims and foster empathy across society.

Communities also have a vital role. Families, friends and workplaces must stand by victims rather than isolate them. Greater cooperation between state and non-state institutions is also needed to ensure men have access to both legal protection and psychological assistance.

Nigar Shahverdiyeva