What if a Male Abuse Victim Gets Falsely Accused of Family Violence?

 Posted on May 11, 2022 in Family Violence

Millions of people all over the world have been following the Johnny Depp defamation case recently. Depp was accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife Amber Heard, but Depp claims that the opposite was true. He claims that he was the victim and that Heard was the abusive one.

Of course, the only two people who really know what happened in this situation are Mr. Depp and Ms. Heard. However, the case has sparked a nationwide conversation about how we view male domestic violence victims and female domestic violence victims. Do courts assume that men are the aggressors and females are the victims? Do gender stereotypes influence criminal cases involving family violence?

Gender Stereotypes and Family Violence Arrests

Men are statistically more likely to commit violent crimes like assault or domestic abuse. Women are more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence. However, not every situation aligns with these statistical patterns. In fact, the CDC reports that approximately one out of three men have been the victim of intimate partner violence (including stalking) at some point in their life. Gender stereotypes may make it difficult for legitimate male victims of family violence or assault to get the help they need. In some cases, a male abuse victim may even be the one who is arrested and charged with family violence.

When police arrive at the scene of a domestic dispute, they cannot immediately know which party was the perpetrator and which party was the victim. Cases like this are often he-said-she-said situations. Sometimes, the police end up arresting and charging the wrong person.

What to Do If You Were Falsely Accused of Abuse

If a spouse, romantic partner, household member, or family member accused you of family violence and you are actually the victim, you may be shocked and unsure of how to handle the situation. The first thing you should do is contact a skilled criminal defense lawyer. In Texas, domestic assault is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. A secondary or subsequent conviction is a felony. You could be facing serious jail time, so it is important to contact an attorney and start building your defense right away.

Do not confront the person who accused you of family violence or try to contact them in any way. This will only make the situation worse. If the accuser got a restraining order or protective order against you, comply with the terms of the order. Violation of a protective order is a criminal offense, and failure to comply can lead to additional criminal charges.

Contact a Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you were falsely accused of family violence, contact our Frisco criminal defense attorneys for help. At Law Offices of Biederman & Burleson P.L.L.C., our skilled team has secured multiple “not guilty” verdicts for individuals accused of family violence and assault. We can help you defend yourself against these accusations.

Call 469-333-3333 for a free, confidential consultation.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/men-ipvsvandstalking.html

https://theconversation.com/men-are-more-likely-to-commit-violent-crimes-why-is-this-so-and-how-do-we-change-it-157331

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/men-ipvsvandstalking.html