BULAWAYO men have expressed concern over lack of a victim-friendly unit to cater for their needs especially on matters to do with gender-based violence (GBV).
This came to light during a community meeting between Nkulumane residents and opposition legislator Desire Moyo at the weekend.
According to Moyo, men complained that they are victims of GBV, but are failing to report such cases as they are not taken seriously by police officers.
“It is a challenge for them to report such cases at the police station because some of them are usually mocked or not taken seriously by police officers,” Moyo said.
“A majority of them say they are victimised on a daily basis, but they can’t take action as there is no victim-friendly unit in Nkulumane to share their concerns.”
He said men proposed the establishment of a men’s affairs ministry to address their concerns.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the law enforcement agency did not discriminate against men who are victims of GBV.
“This is because police officers are now trained to handle or address such cases,” he said.
- Revisiting Majaivana’s last show… ‘We made huge losses’
- Edutainment mix: The nexus of music and cultural identity
- ChiTown acting mayor blocks election
- Promoter Mdu 3D defends foreigners 30 minute set
Keep Reading
Ncube advised male victims of GBV to report without fear.
Padare/Enkundleni Men’s Forum programmes officer Meseli Nyoni urged men to speak out and “share their stories of abuse and victimisation by their partners”.
“Men should visit the victim-friendly unit places as they provide a safe space for them to address their grievances,” he said.
Most studies have shown that women are the majority of victims of GBV.
According to a 2022 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees study, there is a high rate of GBV with one in every three women, and one in every seven men having been victims.
Studies have shown that male victims of GBV remain silent because of cultural norms and prejudices pertaining to masculinity.
The studies have also shown that men also remain silent due lack of knowledge on where and how to get help as victims of GBV.
