Violence

Statistics clearly show that violent offences are committed particularly frequently by men. This includes violence in partnerships as well as violence in public spaces, sexualised forms of violence, stalking, etc. Media portrayals in which men demonstrate their power by not adhering to social rules often receive a high level of unquestioned recognition. Transgressing a social "taboo on violence" belongs in this area. In the case of male adolescents, ways and opportunities for peaceful, communal and equal conflict resolution are often blocked, and adolescents in particular are under pressure to show a willingness to use violence. This more or less openly tolerated willingness to use violence brings recognition as a "real guy", whereby there is a risk that this will be considered as a lifelong option as a solution strategy. Despite this clear social link between masculinity(ies) and violence in our society, it should be noted that most men do not behave violently: Most men do not engage in violent behaviour.

Violence causes suffering for those affected. Most of those affected by male violence are women and children in the domestic sphere, and other men in the public sphere. Male violence causes suffering and "costs" for all those affected: Children, women, men, gender non-conforming people (e.g. transgender). Convictions and imprisonment also leave biographical traces on the perpetrators themselves and reduce their room for manoeuvre in life.

The forms of violence against men are also diverse: they are victims of sexualised violence (e.g. violence in church or educational institutions, but also within the family), violence in public spaces (e.g. as "accidental victims" of sports hooligans, etc.), but also violence in partnerships. The task is to take all these experiences seriously and provide support. In most forms of violence against men, the vast majority of perpetrators are men. Those affected often perceive themselves as "weaklings" or see themselves as losers in arguments with other men, whose violent behaviour is perceived as "normal". When men experience violence from a woman (e.g. from superiors, carers, partners, etc.), this can be experienced as particularly shameful, as it runs counter to common ideas of masculinity. However, prevailing images of masculinity mean that men rarely talk about these experiences, often for fear of not being taken seriously or being devalued. As a result, male perspectives of those affected are strongly underrepresented in public perception.

In addition to the denial and dismissal of gender aspects of violence, public perception is often determined by certain images of perpetrators and offences. Perpetrators" are often associated with socially disadvantaged men, with a low level of education, a history of migration, living in the city, etc. Other forms of violence and constellations of victims and perpetrators are thus rendered invisible.

What the DMÖ is committed to:

• The connection between gender, social position and violence must be considered in its many facets. It is particularly important to consider the influence of images of men and ideas of "being a man" on the positions of victims and perpetrators. Research and a practice derived from this is needed here, in the area of psychosocial programmes, educational work, media work, etc.
• Positive, non-violent images of masculinity and public relations work with a broad impact.
• The image of men affected by violence - especially sexualised violence - has not yet reached the public consciousness. It is therefore important to make the public more aware of these unusual connections between violence and gender.
• Sufficient psychosocial intervention services and men's counselling centres must be set up for men who become perpetrators in order to contribute to the prevention of violence and the protection of victims.
• For men who have experienced violence in various forms, there is also a need for specific counselling and therapy services in which men are taken seriously and can talk openly and confidentially about their experiences.