Discusses the underreported type of domestic violence - the abuse of men. This book surveys on the increasing domestic violence against men by both female and male partners, spouses and lovers. It includes law, legislation, court activity, social responses, police activity, support groups, batterer programs, and crisis intervention programs.

This book looks at an underreported type of domestic violence that has increased across the last decade - the abuse of men. When people think of domestic violence, images of battered women come to mind. Yet the more accurate picture is different, and it crosses genders. Research suggests that nearly half of domestic disputes are instigated by a women making the first strike and that a large percentage of domestic violence victims are men.Police now have to identify the 'primary aggressor' in domestic violence, and police crackdowns on spouse/partner abuse are showing more and more arrests of women as the abusers. Add to that the newly recognized and increasing incidence of male abuse during domestic violence in gay couples, and it's clear why the author's previous edition of this book, published in 1997, drew attention and praise. On the 10th anniversary of that groundbreaking book, the author began revising and expanding his work, resulting in this second edition of a look at a disturbing trend that has in the last 10 years only increased.This new edition includes up-to-date surveys on the increasing domestic violence against men by both female and male partners, spouses and lovers and includes personal interviews as well as cases drawn from headlines of recent media covering celebrities, politicians, and other public figures.
Also included are updates on law, legislation, court activity, social responses, police activity, support groups, batterer programs, and crisis intervention programs.

Review
"Perhaps with this book, Philip Cook can accomplish what academics have for the past 25 years failed to do—to cut through the political rhetoric and finally present the case of abused men as a real social problem. Cook goes beyond the issue of battered males as he sheds incredible insight into the systemic problem of family violence. Perhaps now, couples experiencing violence in their relationships can be helped. His case material sadly brings to life the statistics researchers generate."-Reena Sommer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba, Family Counselor

Phillip Cook is an investigative journalist who has won numerous awards from the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists.