- [Narrator] Hey Psych2Goers, welcome back.
If you haven't heard
there is a huge trial right now
between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard.
To sum it up
Depp is suing Heard for defamation of his character
stemming from an article in the Washington Post
written by Heard
where Heard makes claims
that she is a public figure representing domestic abuse.
This article and the statements therein
were referencing her marriage with Depp,
but did not directly mention his name.
In this trial
we are seeing evidence showing that Amber
may be responsible for the abuse and domestic violence
and not as the victim as she claims.
Since the Me Too movement started in 2006
it has predominantly been run, represented,
and tagged by females.
Whenever domestic violence or abuse concerns are raised
we as a society usually tend to side with the female party.
We often forget that men can be victims of abuse
and domestic violence too.
Let me say it again.
Men can also be victims of abuse and domestic violence.
(soft music)
So with that said
let's look at four common misconceptions about male victims
of any type of abuse or domestic violence.
Myth number one,
the statistics show that there are more female victims
of abuse and domestic violence
than male victims.
According to a 2011 study, researchers found
that the number of reported domestic violence cases
that represented male victims
made up roughly 11.5%.
Notice the key word, "reported".
They also found two common reasons
for abuse going unreported
and why the number is so low.
One is due to men wanting to hide the fact
that this is happening.
This may be due to the shame of admitting it's happening
or, more commonly, they may be afraid of receiving backlash.
Another reason men may not report these occurrences
may be due to the feeling that the injury or damage
wasn't enough to warrant a report.
Another study from 2012
found that some men didn't report their abuse
because they believed the police
wouldn't take them seriously
or do anything about it.
But just because the incident goes unreported
doesn't mean it didn't happen.
It's important to know the signs of abuse
especially when so many cases are going unreported.
Check out Psych2Go's videos
such as "10 Red Flags of Abuse".
Myth number two,
you're not a "real man" if you can't take it.
Let's be very very clear.
No one, regardless of gender,
should have to be able to take abuse.
No one is deserving of abuse or disrespect of any kind.
When someone experiences an abusive event
the emotions that arise range from shame to fear,
to sadness, to anger, and every emotion in-between.
These are human emotions, not only male identifying
or only female identifying emotions.
When we as a society condemn these emotions in men
why would men wanna come forward
to reveal that they're having these feelings
or experiencing abusive events?
Myth number three,
she didn't come at you for no reason.
First, this statement makes the man
the victim of domestic violence,
the one at fault when wrong is being done to them.
It suggests that whatever he did
made the other person hit them.
He can't be a victim
if he's the reason it happened in the first place.
Secondly, this stereotype insinuates
that if someone does something bad enough
it's justified to respond with physical abuse.
Just like we tell kindergartners
we keep our hands to ourselves
unless there's consent.
Violence should never be anyone's response in a conflict.
And myth number four,
it's not abuse if she doesn't leave a mark on you.
We left the most appalling for last.
There are some individuals that believe all abuse
involves some type of physical act.
Some will even go a step further
to state that a physical act is all right
as long as a mark, bruise, cut, or wound isn't left.
This is
simply wrong.
Abuse can take many forms
and can be physical,
sexual,
emotional,
verbal,
or mental.
Yes, it can be a slap
or throwing a glass bottle at someone.
It can also be gaslighting them,
saying things happened when they didn't
to make them doubt themselves.
It can be saying derogatory things to your partner
to lower their self-esteem.
Abuse may not leave a mark that can be seen
but it will always leave a mark
on the person's mind and heart.
Abuse and domestic violence
don't apply to one gender or party.
If you or a loved one
think you are in an abusive relationship,
tell someone.
Ask for help.
Or reach out to a trusted mental health professional.
There are people who will believe you
and who are there to listen.
Please share this important video with others.
The references and studies used
are listed in the description below.
Until next time friends,
take care, stay safe, and thanks for watching.