Study Reveals Alarming Rates of Violence Against Men in Morocco

In Morocco, men, especially young people aged 15 to 34 (47% compared to 29% among those aged 60 to 74), and those with a higher educational level (46% compared to 33% for those without schooling), have suffered at least one act of violence, both in urban and rural areas. "If we consider violence throughout life, 70% of men have suffered at least one act of violence, 75% among city dwellers and 61% among rural dwellers," adds the HCP, noting that the marital context proves to be the living space most marked by violence since 31% of men are victims of violence perpetrated by the partner (wife, ex-wife, fiancée or intimate friend).

According to the same report, violence in other contexts affects nearly 12% of men and is the work of a family member other than the spouse and 10% in public spaces. 16% are victims of violence in the context of their professional activities and 12% in the context of their studies. In the city, men are more exposed to violence in other living spaces than their rural counterparts.

37% of men suffered psychological violence in the 12 months preceding the survey, 11% physical violence, 2% sexual violence and 1% economic violence. Thus, 73% of all violence suffered by men is due to psychological violence, 20% to physical violence, 4% to sexual violence and 3% to economic violence. The survey revealed that the prevalence of domestic violence varies according to the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of men. The prevalence of violence in extramarital relationships is 54% among single men who have had a fiancée or intimate partner, compared to 28% among married men.

Emotional violence, on the other hand, is manifested mainly by "the partner’s refusal to speak to her spouse for several days" according to 75% of men victims of this form of violence and by "her humiliation or belittlement by the partner" for 30% of the victims. Physical, sexual violence has been inflicted on 2% of men. Economic violence, for its part, affects less than 1% of men.

This survey was conducted on a sample of 3,000 men aged 15 to 74. The aim, according to the HCP, is to shed more light on the social phenomenon of violence in its two-dimensional aspect, and to broaden its understanding from the perspective of victims and perpetrators in their dual female and male source.