Male victims of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence, help-seeking, and reporting behaviors: A qualitative study.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global social health problem. Societal perceptions of IPV as a predominantly female issue have led to the development of research perspectives, frameworks, measures, and methodologies unable to capture the full scope of male victimization. Research has also been hampered by a reluctance from men to identify as victims, and many do not relate to commonly used terminology of IPV, such as domestic violence. The current study used qualitative methods to explore men's experiences of female-perpetrated IPV in Australia, defined as "boundary crossings." The sample comprised 258 men recruited using a snowball approach through social media platforms and via a monthly newsletter of an online men's health support site. The online survey containing open-ended questions focused on three areas: type of IPV experienced, help-seeking, and reporting behavior. Men reported experience of a range of physical, sexual, verbal, coercive controlling, and manipulative behaviors. Male victims noted how disclosure of abuse to family and friends was variously met with shock, support, and minimization. Participants also reported secondary abusive experiences, with police and other support services responding with ridicule, doubt, indifference, and victim arrest. The use of the term boundary crossing rather than IPV, which is commonly associated with male-against-female violence, appeared to be a useful tool for eliciting information from men who have experienced abuse. Public Significance StatementResearch indicates male victims do not relate to common gendered terminology of IPV such as "domestic violence." Following consultation with support workers of male IPV victims in Australia, a novel approach was adopted. The term "boundary crossings" (defined as behavior that violates or restricts a person's rights) was used to explore men's experiences of female-perpetrated IPV using an online, anonymous survey with open-ended questions. Almost 50% of the respondents disclosed experiences of IPV, covering a range of physical, social, psychological, financial, and legal abuses.

A qualitative study to investigate male victims’ experiences of female-perpetrated domestic abuse in Jordan

“…In this study, all participants stated that clan thinking and sociocultural stereotypes in the Arab context enable women to abuse men. Additionally, the gendered stereotype of abuse exposes men to secondary abusive experiences when they are treated as perpetrators and liars who lack machismo (Corbally, 2015;Hogan, 2016;Lupri & Grandin, 2009;McCarrick et al, 2016;Migliaccio, 2001;Shehan, 2018;Walker et al, 2020).…”

“…From a gender stereotypes perspective of domestic abuse, men are the primary offenders of violence against women, and intimate partner abuse is an extension of patriarchal dominance (Dutton & White, 2013;Fleming et al, 2015;Myhill, 2017;Perryman & Appleton, 2016;Walker et al, 2020). Evidence confirms that men perpetrate abuse more frequently than women, and women face higher rates of repeated severe abuse, such as murder, assault, or rape (Fleming et al, 2015;Lysova et al, 2019;Swan et al, 2008;Walby & Towers, 2017).…”

“…Prior literature suggests that male victims experience physical, emotional, sexual, and verbal forms of IPV (Walker et al, 2020). They also experience coercive control and manipulative behaviors through gendered stereotypes of abuse, use of children, and isolation (Morgan & Wells, 2016).…”

“…Furthermore, men do not report their victimization because they face disbelief, surprise, doubt (Migliaccio, 2001), mockery, ridicule, and indifference; they may also face arrest (Hogan, 2016;Walker et al, 2020). These responses, especially from the police, courts, and other support services, expose abused men to secondary abusive experiences related to being treated like perpetrators (Corbally, 2015;Hogan, 2016;McCarrick et al, 2016;Walker et al, 2020). Abused men's reactions often lead to prolonged abuse (Migliaccio, 2001), and denial leads them to redefine the situation to disparage the pain, hurt, and ordeal they experience.…”

A Descriptive Analysis of College Students’ Experiences of Female-Perpetrated Sexual Assault

“…For example, individuals are more likely to perceive male victims of a female perpetrator as having enjoyed their assault (Smith et al, 1988), and male victims may internalize this idea, reframing their victimization in a way that is more consistent with masculine ideals (e.g., the assault was consensual; Davies & Rogers, 2006). These societal attitudes are reflected when men who do report to law enforcement or other support services are not taken seriously (Walker et al, 2020). These negative attitudes from supports and resources may dissuade male victims of female perpetrators from seeking help following an assault.…”