“... [L]ike women who have been abused, the men find it difficult to start or follow through with the steps necessary to protect themselves,” wrote online commenter Kimberly Clements. “The problem is even greater for men [because of] the lack of available resources to help them follow through.”

Those resources are lacking because of a lack of focus, wrote Heather F, of the Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women.

“The mere mention of male victims in a gathering of traditional domestic-violence advocates creates great controversy,” she wrote.

Tom M, across multiple posts, ranted against a local domestic-violence group that he says is ignoring male victims and is biased against men when they become accused of violence. In response, Hilary Madsen, the therapist who leads the group profiled in the article, hopes to equalize and reduce gender’s importance.

“I work with many women leaving violent relationships as well as with men,” she wrote. “I believe in true equality when it comes to fighting abuse and injustice.”