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Daniel Nemukuyu Harare Bureau
The tables have turned in the history of family disputes as at least 2,414 men this year swallowed their pride and approached the magistrates’ courts suing for domestic violence.

Domestic violence was believed to be a crime against women but statistics from the courts show that men are also being battered in the home and are now gathering the courage to approach the courts for recourse.

Although women are still dominating as victims of domestic violence, men are also exercising their right to protection of the law by reporting their wives at the courts.

Between January and November 2015, at least 2,414 men approached the family court complaining of domestic violence.

During the same period, some 6,510 women sued men for domestic violence, leaving the total number of domestic violence cases handled by the courts countrywide at 8,924.

From January to December last year, the magistrates’ courts received 2,538 applications from men while women filed 6,916 matters, leaving the total number of domestic violence cases at 9,454.

Statistics for 2015 show that although people with disabilities were the least affected, more men in that category were suffering compared to women.

This year, five men with disability appeared in court as victims of domestic violence while one woman sued.

Last year more women with disabilities were subjected to domestic violence as compared to the men in that category.

The courts in 2014 recorded that 21 women with disabilities went to court as victims of violence while no men officially complained of domestic violence.

Legal expert and social commentator Wellington Pasipanodya said reality was now coming out and men in Zimbabwe have been covering up the violence.

“Males in Zimbabwe have an ‘alpha’ image they portray and as such sometimes it’s seen as an embarrassment for men to be seen going to the police to complain about domestic violence. It’s therefore commendable that over 2,000 men were brave enough to approach the authorities for protection,” said Pasipanodya.

To that end, he said a wrong impression had been created over the past years that women were the only ones subjected to domestic violence.

“The statistics show that about two in five of all victims of domestic violence are men, contradicting the widespread impression that it’s almost always women who’re left battered and bruised.

“Statistics on domestic violence show that the number of men attacked by wives or girlfriends is much higher than thought. The shock is particularly induced by the fact that domestic violence is often seen as a female victim/male perpetrator problem. But the evidence demonstrates that this is a false picture,” said Pasipanodya.

Speaking at the International Human Rights Day commemorations in Chitungwiza on Thursday, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa urged women to desist from beating up their husbands.

This followed remarks by Minister of Provincial Affairs for Harare Metropolitan Province Miriam Chikukwa that women were being subjected to domestic violence.

Minister Chikukwa warned men against beating their wives.

“Men, it’s not your right to beat up women in the home. Make sure your rights don’t violate other people’s rights. Domestic violence must end,” said Minister Chikukwa.

Another lawyer Tambudzai Gonese said men have always been suffering from domestic violence but they kept it a secret due to fear of stereotyping.

She added that changes in socialisation are helping men to gain courage to report domestic violence cases.

“Men also suffer from domestic violence but have traditionally kept quiet due to gender stereotypes. At least, men are now coming forward because of the changes in socialisation that have recognised that men can suffer just as much as women. However, the numbers can never be equal,” said Gonese.

Parties were however urged to resolve disputes amicably rather than resorting to domestic violence which ultimately results in strains in relationships, mental and physical trauma.