A Halifax man who was abused by his partner is sharing his story to raise awareness about domestic violence against men.
Mal Maguire learned he was suffering from blood poisoning after a trip to the dentist in December 2011.
“I had this moment on Dec. 1, 2011 that I realized I was one dental appointment away from death at the hands of the woman that I loved,” says Maguire.
He says his partner was bigger than him and had rage issues. He says the first incident of physical violence came after she lost a card game.
“She turned around and she pushed me so hard with both hands. I fell backwards on the stairs and I was in complete shock.”
Women are typically thought of as victims in domestic violence cases, but statistics show men accounted for 22 per cent of domestic abuse victims in 2010.
Experts say that number is likely higher, since 66 per cent of all victims tell friends and family, but don’t report incidents to police.
“I think it’s a humiliating experience for men to come forward and say that ‘I am being abused’ so I think that they would rather be silent and keep silent,” says Verona Singer of Halifax Regional Police Victim Services.
When Maguire first started looking for help, he quickly realized there was nowhere for him to turn. He is now working on starting a support group specifically for men who are victims of domestic violence.
“They’re expected to kind of tough things out, and you know, all that stuff, which is hilarious and awful and sad, because everybody hurts,” he says.
Maguire says he finally stopped hurting when he learned about forgiveness.
“Then everything went phew, in a completely different direction, and I started to heal up very fast.”
Maguire is working with a local social worker on his support group. He also has the support of Halifax Regional Police Victim Services.
Maguire believes his group will be one of the first of its kind in Canada, and is hoping to have it up and running in a few months.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kayla Hounsell
