Britney Spears’ Attacks on Husband Sam Asghari Reveal Hidden Crisis of Domestic Violence Against Men

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mike Buchanan

Telephone: +44 7967 026163

Britney Spears’ Attacks on Husband Sam Asghari Reveal Hidden Crisis of Domestic Violence Against Men

October 26, 2023 – Hundreds of research studies reveal domestic violence is a global problem that affects equal numbers of men and women (1). The attacks by Britney Spears against her now-estranged husband, actor Sam Asghari, reveal the dynamics of the hidden crisis of domestic violence against men. Spears has been a singer, dancer, and performer whose songs topped the charts in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Britney and Sam met in 2016 and were married six years later at their home in Los Angeles. Fourteen months afterwards, he filed for divorce, citing her infidelity. During their seven-year relationship, friends reported that Asghari “frequently complained about Britney getting physical with him,” often requiring the intervention of security personnel. Asghari did not engage in any aggression in the relationship (2).

On one occasion, Spears had given “him a black eye while he was sleeping,” Another photograph of the actor revealed red bite marks on his left arm. The marks were so obvious that Asghari pleaded with paparazzi to not take photographs of him (3).

One of Spears’ top albums was Femme Fatale, meaning “deadly woman.” Accordingly, she kept numerous knives around the home, including in the bedroom, leaving Sam fearful that she would “fly off the handle.” (4)

The Spears attacks highlights three vexing questions that surround male victimization and female perpetration:

Why didn’t Brittany get counseling early in the relationship, to avoid future attacks on Sam?
Why didn’t security personnel call the police to investigate, considering the repeated occurrence of the attacks?
Why didn’t any domestic violence advocacy organizations speak out on his behalf?

A recent article by commentator Damon Jones provides partial answers to these questions. Jones deplores the existence of the “Gender Hush Factor,” the tendency of persons to ignore the problem of female-perpetrated domestic violence. Jones concludes, “It’s important to recognize that men are victims as well, and this should be acknowledged, particularly by women who advocate for victims.” (5)

In response, the Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance will be sponsoring the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Men on Friday, November 17. The observance will feature an international press conference, social media activities, and events held in countries around the world.

For more information, visit: https://endtodv.org/coalitions/davia/campaigns/idevam/

The Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance – DAVIA — consists of 111 member organizations from 34 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. DAVIA seeks to ensure that domestic violence and abuse polices are science-based, family-affirming, and gender-inclusive. https://endtodv.org/coalitions/davia/

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