Allen Golec

Domestic violence or Intimate partner violence is affects millions of people in the US. While most people are aware of violence against women very few people are aware of domestic violence rates against men. According to CDC reported studies.

…..26% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime.

That is 42,900,000 men (yes that is million) and according to some research it may actually close to 50% as most men do not report domestic violence for several reason.  Including but not limited:

• Social stigmatism
• Fear of being arrest due to false accusation

There is only one all male domestic violence shelter in the US that accepts children with their father. It happens to be in Dallas TX and it opened on May 22,2017. Most people do not realize how ground breaking this was and continues to be. What most shelters do is offer men a hotel room with their children with no additional support. Maybe a coupon to a thrift shop for some clothing. What is seriously missing is resources and support (counseling).

On May 21,2017 I left my wife of 20 years with my two daughters with no place to go on a Sunday evening. I spent the evening in a hotel room I paid cash with. The next day I made a call to my local domestic violence shelter. They inturn were able to arrange for me to meet at a 3^rd party location where I was interviewed and escorted to a secure location.

We had no idea what we were instore for. We moved into a room with two sets of bunk beds a small dresser and a TV. The building was an older house that was restored with locks on each door. There was a staff office, common area, few washer & dryers and a kitchen. The wood floors creaked with every step and every noise echoed.  We were the first intake family and to be honest no one knew what was going on. They were searching for intake form and we were just as confused as they were.

Our breakfast was cereal, oatmeal and breakfast bars. Our lunch and dinner were brought in from the main womens shelter (cold). While I we were thankful for what provisions we were given , I will never eat chili mac again in my life.

On our second day at the shelter a report from local NPR station came in the shelter. I was asked to interview and I agreed with the stipulation of keeping my real name anonymous.  And my name has until this posting. If you have 5 minutes please listen. Allen AKA Jeff

Regional Broadcast

National Broadcast