Local survivor-turned-advocate fights for recognition of male domestic abuse victims – WECT

Report on Domestic Violence and its Intersection with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the issue of domestic violence in North Carolina, highlighting its prevalence among both male and female populations. It examines the societal stigmas and resource disparities affecting male victims, framing the issue within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings underscore the need for a more inclusive approach to victim support to advance SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Key Statistics and Findings

Data from North Carolina reveals that domestic violence is a widespread issue affecting a significant portion of the population, challenging gender-based assumptions about victimization.

• Over 35% of women in North Carolina experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
• Over 30% of men in North Carolina experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
• Nationally, one in four men has experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.

Alignment with SDG 5: Gender Equality

Achieving SDG 5, which aims to end all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, requires a comprehensive understanding of gender-based violence that includes all victims. The societal narrative that often overlooks male victims creates significant barriers to true gender equality.

• Challenging Stigmas: Survivor Dan Romand reports that societal perceptions often cast men solely as perpetrators, leading to disbelief and even wrongful arrest of male victims. This stigma undermines the principle of equality.
• Resource Disparity: While advocating for increased funding for women’s services, Romand highlights a national disparity in resources for male victims. This inequality in support systems is a direct obstacle to achieving SDG 5.
• Inclusive Services: The local Wilmington shelter, which provides equal resources to all genders, serves as a model for the inclusive approach needed to fulfill the promise of gender equality.

Implications for SDG 3 (Good Health) and SDG 16 (Peace and Justice)

The failure to adequately address domestic violence for all victims has profound consequences for public health and societal stability, directly impacting progress on SDGs 3 and 16.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Domestic violence inflicts severe physical and psychological harm. The lack of accessible support systems for male victims exacerbates these health impacts, hindering the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal calls for the reduction of all forms of violence and the creation of inclusive institutions. When law enforcement and support services fail to recognize and assist male victims, it represents an institutional failure that undermines justice and perpetuates cycles of violence.

Recommendations for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

Based on the case study of survivor Dan Romand, the following actions are recommended to address domestic violence in a manner that aligns with the SDGs:

1. Promote Inclusive Dialogue: Encourage male survivors to share their stories through platforms like the ‘Men Need To Be Heard’ podcast. This action directly supports SDG 5 by deconstructing harmful gender stereotypes and fostering a more inclusive conversation around domestic violence.
2. Ensure Equitable Access to Resources: Advocate for policy changes and funding models that guarantee equitable resources and shelter access for victims of all genders. This is essential for meeting the targets of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16.
3. Strengthen Community and Institutional Response: Foster an environment where community members and institutions, including law enforcement, are trained to listen to and support all victims, thereby building the strong, just, and inclusive societies envisioned in SDG 16.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article directly addresses violence against women, a key component of SDG 5, by stating that “over 35% of women [in North Carolina] experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime.” It also highlights the issue of gender equality from the perspective of male victims, pointing out the stigma and lack of resources they face. The call to “do the same for men” in terms of providing support services is a direct appeal for gender-equal treatment for all victims of domestic violence.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • This goal is relevant as domestic violence is a fundamental violation of peace and personal security. The article touches upon the justice system’s response through the survivor’s anecdote where police “were going to arrest me,” the victim, suggesting a potential failure in providing equal access to justice. The discussion of domestic violence shelters and services relates to building effective institutions that can support victims and promote a peaceful society free from violence.

3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Domestic violence has severe consequences for the physical and mental health of victims. The article discusses “physical violence” and abuse that resulted in a victim being “knocked out.” By highlighting the need for support services and shelters, the article implicitly addresses the need to protect and restore the health and well-being of survivors, which is a core aspect of SDG 3.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

   • The article’s core subject is domestic violence, a primary form of violence in the private sphere. The statistic that “over 35% of women experience intimate partner violence” directly aligns with the objective of this target. Although the article also focuses on men, eliminating violence against women is the explicit aim of Target 5.2.

2. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   • This target is broadly addressed by the article’s focus on reducing the prevalence and impact of domestic violence. The statistics provided for both male (“over 30% of men in North Carolina will experience domestic abuse”) and female victims illustrate the scale of the violence that this target seeks to reduce.

3. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   • The survivor’s experience with law enforcement, where he was almost arrested despite being the victim, points to a gap in ensuring “equal access to justice for all.” The narrative that “the man is the perpetrator” shows a societal bias that can impact the justice system’s response, hindering equal treatment for male victims.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Prevalence of intimate partner violence, by gender.

   • The article provides specific statistics that can be used as indicators to measure the scope of the problem. These include: “over 35% of women experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime” in North Carolina, “over 30% of men in North Carolina will experience domestic abuse,” and “one in four men has experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner” nationally. These figures directly measure the proportion of the population subjected to this form of violence.

2. Availability of and equal access to support services for all victims.

   • The article implies this as a key indicator of progress. It highlights a disparity, noting that while the local Wilmington shelter provides resources for men, it is “typically not the case across the country for shelters to offer all the same resources, despite gender.” Measuring the number of shelters and services that are equally accessible to victims of any gender would be a way to track progress toward providing necessary support.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wect.com