Men are victims of domestic violence too

Thinking about domestic violence, most people assume that the man in the relationship is the one who is acting out. That, however, isn’t always the case. In the case of a county clerk in Texas, the woman in the marriage is the one who is now facing charges related to domestic violence.

The husband called the police department to report that his wife was repeatedly hitting him. Both of them had been drinking, as it was their daughter’s graduation party. The couple is going through a divorce. He is accusing her of having an affair but says that she is the one who told him she wanted to divorce. She is calling his allegations “his opinion” but is refusing to make further comments.

What makes this case interesting is that the couple continued to live together after she told him she wanted to divorce. He says he went along with the request with the belief that she might change her mind. He also said they were putting on the act until after their oldest child’s college graduation.

The Tarrant County clerk is facing a Class C misdemeanor for assault by offensive contact. She faces a fine of up to $500. Her lawyer says it is the equivalent of a citation for a traffic offense.

While this case is still pending, it is important for men who are facing domestic violence to realize they aren’t alone. Knowing that others are facing similar situations might help them to cope with the reality of the situation. Understanding how to keep yourself protected is also vital for any domestic violence victim.

Source: Star-Telegram, “Tarrant County Clerk cited for assault in domestic dispute” Deanna Boyd, Jul. 24, 2014