Domestic Violence Against Men in North Carolina

Understanding How Domestic Violence Affects Men

When people hear “domestic violence,” they often assume the victim is a woman. However, domestic violence affects men more often than people realize. Recognizing the signs and accessing the resources you need for help is critical to get through these difficult times and move forward with your life.

With help from an experienced domestic violence against men lawyer at Breeden Law Office, you can take the steps you need to protect yourself and your family.

What Is Domestic Violence?

You may be surprised to learn that as much as 43% of men have reported being stalked or harassed by former and current partners. As many as one in four men have been victims of physical domestic violence, including pushing, hitting, shopping, or slapping.

According to North Carolina law, domestic violence can take many forms. However, it often includes physical violence or assault, sexual assault, willful threats or intimidation, and other types of abusive behavior. Domestic violence can also include emotional abuse, which can consist of intimidation, threats, and embarrassing you in front of your friends or family

Domestic violence can also include psychological abuse intended to cause the victim anxiety, fear, or intimidate them. Another lesser-known type of domestic violence is digital abuse, where the abuser can post or hold onto photos that are intended to harass, intimidate, or ridicule the victim.

What Are Signs of Domestic Abuse?

Since there are multiple types of domestic violence, the signs of domestic abuse can often include a wide array of events and actions, some of which could include:

• Stalking
• Making threats
• Receiving large numbers of phone calls
• Name-calling
• Digital abuse
• Revenge porn
• Physical bruising or burns
• Shaming
• Monitoring phone calls or actions
• Controlling where you go, how you spend money, or what you were
• Controlling who you spend time with
• Coercing you to engage in sexual acts
• Isolating you from your friends and family
• Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol
• Making threats of physical violence or death
• Blaming you for causing the abuse
• Accusations of cheating
• Threats to take your children away
• Threats to leave you
• Threatening to cause harm to your family members or loved ones
• Threatening to expose your gender identity or sexual orientation to family, friends, colleagues, or the community
• Controlling whether you get medical treatment after physical abuse
• Preventing you from going to school or work

Who Can Be An Abuser in North Carolina Domestic Violence Cases?

Under North Carolina domestic violence laws, only specific parties can be involved in domestic violence situations. Anytime two people share any type of relationship, domestic violence could occur. For example, suppose you are a male victim who has been victimized by your parents, adult children, current spouse, ex-spouse or partner, someone you were dating, or a co-parent. In that case, you may be able to pursue legal action against them.

Generally, domestic violence will begin as an isolated violent incident but quickly devolve into a pattern of abuse. If your abuser is blaming you, physically abusing you, emotionally abusing you, or attempting to maintain power over you, working with a domestic violence attorney may be the best way to get out of the situation and take back control of your life.

What Can a Victim Do Against Domestic Violence?

You can take multiple steps to protect yourself against future domestic violence incidents and get the help you need to get through these difficult times. Some of your top options could include:

• Obtaining a temporary protective order from the North Carolina family courts
• Obtaining a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO), also commonly known as a 50B order, if you require immediate protection from physical abuse or violence of any kind, including stalking and non-consensual sexual conduct
• Contact the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) for technical assistance and opportunities to collaborate with other survivors of domestic violence
• Contact the North Carolina Department of Justice to find out what your rights are as a victim of domestic violence
• Obtain legal information and support after sexual assault or domestic violence by contacting the National Network to End Domestic Violence
• Working with your domestic violence attorney to make changes to any existing custody arrangements or implement new custody arrangements

Although leaving an abusive relationship, whether with an intimate partner, family member, or another close relative, may be scary and intimidating, doing so could be your best opportunity to regain control of your life and prevent future domestic violence and abuse incidents.

Breeden Law Is Ready To Help You Protect Yourself

If you are a male domestic violence victim, you may need the legal support of an attorney so you can protect and empower yourself. Our track record of success and experience in handling other types of cases involving domestic violence against men is sure to help you overcome the odds and move on toward a brighter future.