Meine Frau schlägt mich

More and more men are becoming victims of domestic violence. According to Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office, one in three victims of domestic violence is male, and experts believe the real number could be much higher. Many of those affected feel alone and, out of shame, do not dare to seek help or report their wives to the police. Domestic violence against men still seems to be a taboo, partly because many people believe a man can defend himself and that women who attack their husbands do so in self-defence. Is that true? SWR author Birthe Jessen spoke to several men affected and shows how hard it is for them to break out of the spiral of violence. One key is shelters for men, but Germany has only twelve so far, far too few for the need. The film shows how badly authorities and politicians still underestimate the issue, and how even people who want to offer help have to fight for acceptance.

The film is in German.