Brian Ingram, 34, was stabbed several times by his girlfriend on November 4, sustaining severe injuries to his lungs and ending up in a hospital, according to the Naperville Sun. The girlfriend, Diane M. Romano, was charged with three felonies. After Ingram was released from the hospital, he had no place to go and had to live in a borrowed truck. Luckily for Ingram, his cousin, Sharain Spears, helped him to find shelter.
Spears was also a victim of domestic violence a decade ago. She remembers how she had to “drive around in a ratty old station wagon” with her children because there was no other place to go. Eventually she was able to find shelter and counseling, and got back on her feet. She has helped seniors and victims of domestic abuse to find housing ever since. However, getting help for men is difficult at times. Domestic violence is considered a women’s issue and male victims of domestic abuse often do not come forward because it is too embarrassing.
Karen Kuchar, executive director of DuPage Family Shelter Service, says men rarely call the organization and ask for help. Many shelters do not have enough room for men, but in emergency situations male victims have been put up in hotels. It has been a temporary solution, however, and with state budget cuts, even that option is no longer available.
Kuchar says more men are seeking out help against domestic violence nowadays than in the past. Orders of protection against women for violence and stalking are clearly on the rise. Likewise, the number of male victims seeking counseling has increased.
If you are facing the threat of domestic violence, whether you are a man or woman, you need help immediately. Make an end to the violence. Contact a capable domestic violence attorney in Illinois today.