EULEX’s Gender Advisor Antonius van der Velden explains that gender-based violence does not affect only women.

“Although it is true that women are mostly affected by gender-based violence, a certain smaller percentage of the victims are males. Keep in mind that violence does not need to be physical. Victims may also be abused psychologically, sexually or economically,” noted Antonius, adding that sometimes it is difficult for victims of domestic violence to speak out about the abuse and report it because they often feel a sense of shame, especially in male-dominated societies.