One of the most pervasive and damaging myths about domestic violence is that men cannot be victims of abuse. In fact, in the United States, 1 in 7 men will experience abuse in an intimate relationship. This number represents men who are abused by female and male partners. Regardless of the gender of the abuse victim or the gender of the abuser, the definition of domestic violence is the same – it’s the desire to control and have power over a partner. Men who are in abusive relationship may feel they are alone, and that no one will understand their experiences, but there are resources available for male victims of domestic violence, including support from Safe Voices’ advocates and through Maine’s legal system.