People ask what can be done to include male victims into the discussion of domestic violence. Here are a few suggestions:

• Donate only to organizations that very clearly help a victim regardless of gender. Don't be fooled by statements that state or imply equal treatment, but which are contradicted by different statements. Consider for example the www.NewBegin.org site, which on June 14, 2006, said: "We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, class, mental or physical disability or being a victim of sexual or domestic violence." But their mission statement says something different: "Provide shelter, advocacy and support for battered women and their children." Think men will get equal treatment, if at all? And even if they claim they do help male victims, there is the matter of quality of service. Referring men to web sites is not the same level of concern as referring women to face-to-face services.
• When companies endorse an anti-DV project but exclude men in their thinking and announcements, object to that company, whether or not you are a customer. For example, Verizon Wireless issued a news release on June 12, 2006 regarding the V-DAY in New York City. The very first sentence of the news release said "Beginning today, Verizon volunteers will be collecting no-longer-used wireless phones at major events at Until the Violence Stops: NYC, a 16-day festival to highlight the issue of domestic violence against women."
• Examine by-laws of health organizations to determine if there is an anti-discrimination clause. If there is, and the organization is excluding men, file a complaint with the organization that the by-laws are being violated.
• Write letters to the editor. When an article discusses domestic violence and excludes men, write to the the editor and ask why men are excluded?
• If an organization, such as your health care provider, surveys women about domestic violence, but not men, ask the organization why? Group Health in Seattle, for example, did a survey of 3,000+ female members, but not male members.