Domestic violence affects males, too

Men trapped in abusive relationships. Some of you may be thinking, Did she just write men? Some say there is a double standard for men who are the ones being abused.

But, one local woman says that needs to change.

Lizabeth Stahl knows the pain firsthand. For her, the holidays are meant to be a time to spend with family. But, this will be the seventh Christmas she must try to celebrate without her son, James, also known as "Jim Eddy."

Lizabeth smiles as she remembers her son, I wish you could have met him. He was always the clown, just have you laughing!

But, that laughter is now silent. Almost seven years ago, at the age of 34, James was killed by his abusive, live-in girlfriend. Now, Lizabeth honors James with an altar in her breakfast nook. Pictures of James and Jesus, crosses, candles, and dried flowers from his funeral adorn the table.

Until now, Lizabeth has grieved quietly. However, she feels as Christmas approaches, now is the time she should open up about something that has caused her, and her children and grandchildren so much pain.

She recalls, From what I was told at the funeral, from people at work would hide him, to protect him from her but he would always go back.

She hopes her sons murder will help give a voice to men who are either too afraid or too embarrassed to reach out.

Through tears, Lizabeth says, I cant bring him back and my arms ache to hold him but hopefully he can help someone else.

She says her message is one of hope: If I could give a gift at Christmas, if James could give a gift at Christmas, it would be to help; if it was just one man.

National statistics say one out nine men will be abused by a loved one in their lifetime. And, there is help.

The Bexar County Family Justice Center provides free legal services, counseling and other assistance to victims of domestic violence -- both men and women. The phone number is (210) 208-6800 and the Web site is bcfjc.org. Another place to turn is the Family Violence Prevention Services also located in Bexar County. The number to FVPS is (210) 733-8810 and Web site is FVPS.org. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is (800) 799-SAFE.

Lizabeth relies on her strong faith in God and her children and grandchildren to cope with the loss of her son.

http://antimisandry.com/
http://www.glennsacks.com/
http://www.mensnewsdaily.com/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Men's Rights
• Masculism
• Masculinism
• Gender
• Equality
• Feminism
• Sex
• Domestic Violence
• Abuse
• USA
• America
• Political Correctness
• Double Standards
• Male
• Female
• Women
• Crime
• Murder
• Mother

[Andybaby]

GOOD NEWS: A story like this gets out there.

BAD NEWS: .. only because it focuses on a woman's pain.

[ORVX]

over 50% of all first strike attacks come from women (CDC)

[TSM8088]

Most men I have spoken to about this issue say that more than half of the relationships they were in ended because their female partner was physically abusive.

[Kenshiroit]

@Andybaby 'GOOD NEWS: A story like this gets out there.

BAD NEWS: .. only because it focuses on a woman's pain'

because this is a gynocentric society.

[MrKillien]

how evil is this world.

[SpringChatty]

This happened to my dad and his children.

[zakfar20000]

Yeah... there are double standards for men and women when abused is concerned. I have just watched something similar happening in India as well... where husband is being abused since 2 years... and no one is helping... they haven't even filed a complained against the wife, even though the husband has 60 video tapes of his wife abusing him... crually beating him actually.

[casperblackcat1975]

Yes & stop supporting the white ribbon foundation in Australia.

[chrisman737]

Thanks for posting this. It is so important that this truth be told!

[pinegrove33]

I'm so glad they're showing this stuff on TV. Great!

[KidBrotherIsWatching]

@Andy: It took me a while to understand what you were alluding to, but I did finally get it, and dude, you are so 100% CORRECT! Add to that the "kindly old grandmotherly" / "brokenhearted mum" imagery and it becomes even more apparent. Excellent point!

[KidBrotherIsWatching]

I only have to wonder how long it will be before the foaming-mouthed, in-denial, man-hating "feministas" will be angrily picketing outside of San Antonio's WOAI television studios for daring to air this segment?....

Thanks for alerting us to this story!