The Duluth Model of domestic violence is an outdated system that assumes that in 100% of domestic violence cases, the male is the abuser and the woman is the victim, or is acting purely in self-defense. This model has been the basis of legislature such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and is the primary method of instruction for many domestic violence shelters and police departments around the world.

It is time for the Duluth Model to be done away with. Studies have shown that at least 40% of all victims of severe domestic violence are men (1) and according to findings by the founder of modern domestic violence shelters, Erin Pizzey, the majority of domestic violence is reciprocal, a fact that contradicts the claims put forth in the Duluth Model. 63 of the first 100 women who first sought refuge at her shelter were as violent or more violent than the men they had left (2).

In addition, partly due to the prevalence of the Duluth Model in the police force and the influence it has gained worldwide, men who are abused by their female partners (and to a lesser extent, women in lesbian couples suffering abuse) have few resources at their disposal. In addition to many shelters refusing service to abused men (3), an abused man who calls 911 to seek protection from his violent female partner is more likely to be arrested than his abuser (4).

The Duluth Model does not accept the reality of male abuse victims and female abusers, and as such does not belong in legislature or law enforcement. The treatment male abuse victims receive by the law, the police and society as a whole is frankly disgusting. No victim of domestic abuse deserves to have their situation trivialized and all victims of domestic abuse deserve to have support and aid when attempting to protect themselves or their children. Furthermore, the Duluth Model implicitly promotes the idea that a male abuse victim somehow "had it coming." It is time for the world to cast aside this horrendously outdated and unscientific way of thinking. I implore you. Mr. President, members of the United States Congress, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, set an example for the rest of the world to follow. Show us that you're willing to usher us into an era of true equality and justice for all.

Sources:

1 - http://domesticviolencestatistics.org/men-the-overlooked-victims-of-domestic-violence/

2 - https://4ourbrothers.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/57/

3 - https://nationalparentsorganization.org/blog/3977-researcher-what-hap-3977 (this source appears to not work on Firefox. Please use Chrome if you wish to view this page)

4 - http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/domviol/men.htm

 Photo courtesy of oneinthree.com.au