Debates of Difference: Male Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse

Abstract

This chapter examines the increasing recognition of males as victims of domestic violence and abuse. Luke Martin examines gendered frameworks and concepts of hegemonic masculinity, highlighting their usefulness in examining the perceptions of and responses to male victimisation. There are understandable concerns that the identification of male victims leads to yet further competition for already dwindling resources in the domestic violence and abuse sector. This has led to heated comparative debates on the nature, frequency and severity of the harm caused to male and female victims. However, it is contended that simply denying male victim experiences, or highlighting that they are different and may not happen as often, is not a valid rationale for the continued marginalisation of male victims’ support needs across heterosexual, gay, bisexual and/or transgender groups.