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Domestic violence against men: An often taboo problem!
The Kleine Zeitung highlights the challenges that queer people face in Graz and encourages help.
Domestic violence against men: An often taboo problem!
In a worrying trend in Austria and Germany, there is an increase in violence against men and queer people. According to the Federal Office for the Protection of Men from Violence (BFKM), reports of men suffering domestic violence have doubled in recent years. In 2022, around 70,000 men were reported affected, while the number in 2021 was much lower. The availability of only 46 shelter places for men in Germany shows the lack of support available, as Enrico Damme, a leading member of the BFKM, explains. Many men are hesitant to seek help because social taboos prevent them from seeing themselves as “victims.”
Increasing attacks on queer men
The increase in attacks on queer men in Austria is particularly alarming. This is shown by recent reports from Niedermayer, a representative of LGBT IQ groups, who describes how shy men are attacked in extreme ways because of their sexuality. He believes that the political rhetoric of figures like Viktor Orban and Donald Trump has increased hatred against queer people, often making those affected feel isolated. Two men sought help from Niedermayer after they were attacked in a known cruising area south of Graz. The anonymous sexuality that took place there remains legal, but there are always problems with the neighborhood and the risk of attacks is increased.
The development makes it clear that violence against men, be it physical or psychological, is often not taken seriously. In many cases, men feel unable to share their experiences for fear of stigma or disbelief. The BFKM therefore calls for increased awareness of the issue in order to overcome fairy-tale ideas that only women can be affected by violence. The organization provides information and support on its website and encourages men to seek help before it is too late. It is important that those affected know that they are not alone and can receive support without feeling shame.
For more information about the situation of men and queer people in relation to violence, see the articles from Small newspaper as well as Pharmacy look around can be viewed.