SAFE BlogArchive

Distressed men like John made up a near-three-fold increase in the number of males applying for protection orders last year as compared to 1997, according to a study released by the Subordinate Court yesterday.

Last year, the number of men seeking protection was about 450, compared to about 161 in 1997, the study showed.

The study Faces of family violence: A profile study of family violence was based on a sample of 1,918 cases, picked randomly from the number of cases received in 2003 and last year.

Last year, the centre's Family Transformation and Protection Unit received 2,522 protection order applications. In 2003, it was 2,783.

Calling the increase in the number of men seeking protection orders "significant", the centre's director, Ms Annie Lee, said a lot of men could have suffered verbal abuse, threats or "actions that border on violence".

And some men have been at the receiving end of physical pain too.

"They scratch, they scream, they shout, they threaten," said Ms Lee, of abusive women.

One reason for the increase in male applicants could be heightened awareness.

"Men are more aware of their protection rights … they are more aware that they can complain," said Ms Lee.

Also, there might be more men who realise that it is not embarrassing to ask the court to protect them, she added.