ACKNOWLEDGING that violence against men is prevalent and requires attention is probably the starting point in rooting out Gender Based Violence (GBV) against men.

The recent statistics that over 10,000 GBV cases across gender were recorded in the third quarter of 2013 surley made sad reading.

However, it has been argued that part of the reason for more GBV cases being recorded against women is as a result of the general societal acceptance that violence was usually perpetrated by men.

It is for this reason, it has been argued, that women feel at ease to lodge in complaints.

Evidently, the phenomenon in women has received the necessary attention as opposed to men.

But, some sections of society have argued that GBV cases against men where also high, except that men as victims were invisible in the eyes of authorities and that their plight is largely over-looked by the media.

Scholars have in fact further argued that in cases of “Violence” men never win.

They have argued that society in fact not only shuns men who are victims of violence and but also shuns perpetrators.

The opposite is said happens to women.

It is argued in fact that male perpetrators are labeled for example as “bashers” while those that find themselves on the other side of the coin yet again face social stigma as they are labeled as “weak”.

Scholars also state that men who are perceived as weak in fact face social stigma from many fronts including communities where they are laughing stocks.

Research also indicates that some law enforcement officers do not treat violence against men as a serious crime but instead view male victims as pathetic figures.

Others have further argued that GBV statistics against men usually do not reflection what was actually on the ground.

However, want is helpful given the back ground is not for society to “label” or shun anyone but instead ensure perpetrators whether men or women  get help from professional through counseling, with serious cases being brought before authorities.

Agreeably, what is also helpful is to treat serious GBV cases committed by a man or a woman the same way.

This surley will root out the vice against men and women.

Seriously, there is also need for the authorities to ensure that men as victims become visible in their eyes while the media plays its role to highlight issues of discrimination against men.

It is until society, the authorities and the media start viewing men and women as equal human beings who are also equal partners’ with equal needs that the war against GBV in men will surly be won.

Treating each other as equal human beings would surly make male victims of GBV to come out in the open.

However it is also important to note that while society treats violence with less seriousness, the vice has its effect not only on the victims (i.e. Father/Mother) BUT on children as well, especially

for those who live in homes where GBV is prevalent.

For example, for children who witness violence in homes, one third of them develop significant behavioral and emotional problems, schools problems and anxiety.

On the other hand, boys who witness their father’s abuse of their mothers are most likely to inflict severe violence as adults while those who see their fathers beat their mothers are ten times more likely to be abusive in adult intimate relationship as well.

Scholars also reveal that children who grow up in violent homes are at higher risk of becoming drug abusers.

So lets us as society, unite and fight against GBV and violence in general, for the power is in each individual person in society.

Unless society unites against these vices, the vicious circle of violence, as clearly stated by scholars, will continue in future generations and beyond.

Let us give our children the best we can, and the best is surly not violence.

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