Abstract
Current understandings on service engagement by male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) within the United Kingdom (UK) have generally been captured by qualitative research. As such, large-scale quantitative data detailing the profile, needs and outcomes of abused men, upon both presentation and use of services, is currently lacking. The present study analyzed the client data of 719 callers to a domestic abuse helpline for men in the UK. Findings showed that the overwhelming majority of callers reported they were abused by female perpetrators, most of whom were still their current partner, and that many of the men were fathers. Vulnerable populations (GBTQ+ and disabled men) were under-represented in the sample. Most men were seeking emotional support, along with a range of practical advice and signposting to other services. The confidentiality of the helpline was crucial for many men, and almost half had struggled to access the service (suggesting a severe lack of resourcing). Findings are discussed in relation to the need for gender-inclusive services, which cater for the unique challenges and barriers experienced by abused men.
Highlights
Male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) have been chronically overlooked and have been termed a “hidden” victim population
The terms “gender symmetry” and “gender asymmetry” became widely recognized in the 1980s (Straus et al, 2006), and research has since continued to emerge demonstrating that men can be victims, and women perpetrators. This body of work culminated in the publication of a meta-analysis of 82 studies that demonstrated that women were perpetrating physical aggression at rates of equal to or significantly higher than men. This led to further work recognizing the prevalence of bidirectional or mutually violent relationships (Langhinrichsen-Rohling et al, 2012), the overlap of DVA and other types of violence (Bates et al, 2014), and the similarity of risk factors for men’s and women’s intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration (Mederios & Straus, 2006)
The data for the present study was provided by a UK domestic abuse helpline for men, and collected by a larger, nationwide charity in the United Kingdom dedicated to ending DVA for all persons
Summary
Male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) have been chronically overlooked and have been termed a “hidden” victim population. The terms “gender symmetry” and “gender asymmetry” became widely recognized in the 1980s (Straus et al, 2006), and research has since continued to emerge demonstrating that men can be victims, and women perpetrators This body of work culminated in the publication of a meta-analysis of 82 studies (and a total of 64,000 participants) that demonstrated that women were perpetrating physical aggression at rates of equal to or significantly higher than men (with an effect size of d = –.05; Archer, 2000). This led to further work recognizing the prevalence of bidirectional or mutually violent relationships (Langhinrichsen-Rohling et al, 2012), the overlap of DVA and other types of violence (Bates et al, 2014), and the similarity of risk factors for men’s and women’s intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration (Mederios & Straus, 2006)
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