I am a male victim of domestic violence awaiting final hearing next week. Growing up, I was not the victim of abuse. She was. She wanted to get out of that environment, still living with her parents, even though she is 37 years old. I was the male. I had some money. I wanted to help her get out from under her past. I was an enabler. I took responsibility for paying for her lawyers, medical bills, etc.

The public defender, during the preliminary hearing, questioned hard around the fact that I didn’t defend myself during the assault. No one wants to know that there had been a previous incident which was not reported. There were injuries. But they were minor. She didn’t come after me with a baseball bat or the front end of my car. She bit my ear. Hard and long. To me, that’s more “up close and personal” than being four feet away with a baseball bat. I question the legal definition of “aggravated” assault.

I simply can’t let her get away with it. Both preliminary and common pleas court hearings have been delayed several times. None of the delays were initiated by me. I understand why men drop charges. There are also charges of forgery and theft of checks. I just can’t let her get away with it no matter what.

Pennsylvania seems to have good help and support for male victims of domestic violence as I read and compare my experience with the accounts of others. I hope I still say that after next week.

Thank you for bringing public attention to this issue.