ABU DHABI // Men who are abused by their wives are unlikely to report it for fear of being stigmatised and considered "unmanly", a survey has found.
Of 142 people surveyed for Al Aan TV's Nabd al Arab ("Arabs' Pulse") programme in a poll carried out by YouGov Siraj, more than half (58 per cent) believe violence against men is a problem in the Arab world.
Many blamed social pressure for men's reluctance to report cases. Half of respondents (49 per cent) said men were afraid of looking weak or "unmanly" if they reported a crime, and a quarter said society would perceive a man who did so as a coward.
Only one in six (16 per cent) said it would be seen as brave.
There was a degree of disconnect in the responses, however, with just four per cent saying they themselves would consider such a man cowardly, and far more (36 per cent) regarding him as brave.
Dr Ahmad Alomash, head of sociology at the University of Sharjah, said the problem lay in the idea that for an Arab man, "roughness is a measure of his masculinity".
"A lot do not report domestic violence out of principle and fear of shame," he said. "Also the women, not only men, do not report crimes."
Dr Justin Thomas, a psychologist at Zayed University in Dubai, agreed that the gender of the perpetrator played an important role.
"If you are beaten by a group of girls - big stigma to report to police," he said. "But a gang of men, most people would report it."
The tide may be turning. According to Dr Azhar Abuali, the director of care and rehabilitation at Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, more men are reporting cases.
"The subject has become less of a taboo, and people are trusting professionals. An increasing number of Emiratis as well as expats are seeking help."
Dubai Police said last week that they had received a number of reports from men about abuse at the hands of their wives.
The survey's respondents believed men and women would react differently to being abused.
Only 15 per cent said men would seek counselling, and even fewer (13 per cent) believe that men would speak to a family member.
Women, the respondents said, were more likely to speak to a family member (61 per cent), seek counselling (35 per cent), or consult a friend (29 per cent).
Dana Shadid, a producer on Nabd al Arab, said it was essential for victims to speak up. "I think everyone should speak up, be it man or woman," she said. "I don't think men should see themselves as cowards. The biggest shame isn't being harmed, but not standing up for your rights."
