AS Nineties 'new laddism' gives way to the caring, sharing 21st Century male, a disturbing new phenomenon has emerged.
Battered husbands are gradually coming forward to report the abuse they suffer at home.
This is not the sitcom nagging of Nora Batty-style fishwives but at times, say researchers, amounts to physical and mental torture.
Very little support exists for fathers in British law who, too often, are considered second-class citizens when it comes to family life.
Maybe now they are shrugging off that 'macho' image and talking to people who can help, we can begin to tackle one of the last taboos.
Police admit they don't know what they're going to do about it, but chipping away at the wall of embarrassed silence has to be a step in the right direction.
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