The Male Victims Nobody Acknowledges | Domestic Violence Reality

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 102In this episode of Awake at the Wheel, Dr. Oren Amitay and Malini Ondrovcik are joined by Dr. Dina McMillan—social psychologist, author, and expert on abuse dynamics—to discuss an issue that is rarely talked about: domestic violence against men.While public conversations about intimate partner violence often focus on female victims, research suggests that male victims of domestic abuse are far more common than many people realize. In this episode, Dr. McMillan shares insights from decades of research and international experience examining abuse dynamics, societal bias, and the barriers men face when seeking help.The discussion explores why male victims of domestic violence are often overlooked, how stigma and cultural narratives discourage men from reporting abuse, and how bias within legal systems, academia, and social services can shape how cases are interpreted and handled.Dr. McMillan also explains how patterns of manipulation, psychological abuse, and coercive control operate in relationships, and why recognizing these patterns—regardless of gender—is critical for protecting victims and creating a more just system.This episode challenges common assumptions and encourages a more nuanced understanding of domestic violence, men's mental health, and intimate partner abuse.Heart and Mind with Dr. Dina McMillan - https://www.youtube.com/@HeartandMindwithDrDinaMcMillanhttps://www.drdinamcmillan.comCanadian Centre for Men and Families - https://canadianmenandfamilies.org/Earl Silverman Shelter for Men - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Silverman_Shelter_for_Men https://www.drdinamcmillan.comChapters00:00 Introduction to the topic of domestic violence against men00:53 Dr. Dina McMillan's background and recent move to the US02:28 Lack of Canadian statistics and misconceptions about male domestic violence02:57 Common misconceptions and societal biases03:53 Statistics from Australia and the US on male victims05:41 Dynamics of abuse involving large men and petite women07:59 Mental health risks and societal neglect of male victims09:30 Statistics and reporting biases in Canada and the US12:18 Court system biases and the manipulation by abusers15:26 Impact of media and societal perceptions on bias19:17 Bias in family courts and judicial decision-making24:00 Gender biases in legal and social systems28:23 The need for anti-bias training in judiciary and law enforcement32:56 Shelters for men and the systemic neglect35:57 Recognizing patterns of abuse in high-profile cases37:40 Men's self-perception and societal influence39:52 Statistics on bidirectional abuse and societal myths43:49 Bias in law enforcement and court decisions46:30 Possibility of relationship recovery and the importance of skills49:19 What individuals can do to address domestic violence issues53:48 The importance of speaking out and societal change57:46 Resources and how to find Dr. McMillan58:47 Closing remarks and next steps for awarenessIf you enjoy discussions about psychology, relationships, mental health, and social issues, make sure to subscribe to Awake at the Wheel for more thoughtful conversations with experts and practitioners.We want your questions! Send your questions to [email protected], tweet us @awakepod, send us a message at facebook.com/awakepod, or leave a comment on this video!EmailInstaYoutube Facebook Twitter