International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Men to be Observed on November 18

PRESS RELEASE

Rebecca Hain: +1-513-479-3335

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Men to be Observed on November 18

WASHINGTON / November 15, 2022 – In response to the continuing crisis of exclusion and neglect, the member organizations of the Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance (1) will be observing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Men on Friday, November 18. (2)

An international press conference will be held that day from 11:00am to 12:00am, Washington DC time. Presenters will include Ann Silvers, author of “Abuse OF Men BY Women;” Stephen Baskerville, professor at the Collegium Intermarium University in Poland; Jan James of Parental Alienation, UK; and Anirban Sinha with the All Bengal Men’s Forum.

Zoom access information for the press conference can be obtained by sending a request to DAVIA@endtodv.org

Events are being held at the country level, as well:

Northern Ireland: The Men’s Alliance will be hosting a meeting in the Parliament Buildings regarding the “Needs of Male Victims of Domestic and Sexual Abuse.” (3)
England: 42 groups came together on November 2 in support of “Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day.” (4)
Ireland: Men’s Voices Ireland wrote the United Nations, urging the body to establish a “UN Men” agency to complement the existing “UN Women” program. (5)
India: The All Bengal Men’s Forum will issue an official declaration about the “Elimination of Violence Against Men Day,” and a declaration about the Legal Aid Workshops in all Districts of West Bengal.

In addition, intensive social media efforts will be taking place around the world.

Illustrating the crisis of exclusion, last week the United Nations Committee on Social, Humanitarian, & Cultural Issues approved a proposal on the “Intensification of Efforts to Prevent and Eliminate All Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls.” (6) The document repeatedly referred to domestic violence victims as “women and girls,” with no mention of the existence of “men and boys” as victims of abuse.

Research confirms that around the world, women are equally likely as men to engage in domestic violence (7). These studies were confirmed during the trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard that revealed Heard was physically and psychologically abusive of Depp. In one incident, Heard hurled a glass at Depp, severing the end of his finger (8).

DAVIA urges all countries to review their domestic violence policies to assure they are inclusive all of victims, regardless of sex.

The Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance – DAVIA — consists of 65 member organizations based 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 sex-inclusive.

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