Abstract:
Partner abuse against men is a serious social issue, and one for which victims frequently have difficulty seeking help. There is a clear gap in the literature exploring the experience of abuse for men, and particularly young men. Common beliefs about masculinity and abuse may influence both the men’s experiences, and the likelihood of men being offered appropriate support. The current research included two studies: the first comprised in-depth interviews with nine young men who self-identified as having experienced partner abuse from a woman. The interviews explored the men’s experience of the relationship, their understanding of abuse and gender, and their decisions about seeking help. The second study involved focus groups with 16 young men and women who self-identified as not having experienced abuse, and used vignettes of partner abuse against men and women to stimulate discussion of their beliefs, knowledge and attitudes towards partner abuse in relation to gender and help-seeking. The data were analysed with a thematic analysis. The findings suggested the immediate and lasting impact of the abuse on the young men, including seemingly contradictory descriptions of their feelings about the abuse, and a perception of others as unlikely to be supportive or as potentially mistaking them for perpetrators. The focus groups described contrasting conceptualisations of men, women and abuse. These included ideas of men as invulnerable and not needing help, of women as unable to harm men, of partner abuse as an issue to be resolved privately, and of the importance of men expressing their distress if their stories are to be taken seriously. The findings suggest the need for increased support for men, education around the issue, and the adoption of an approach to partner abuse that includes men as victims as well as perpetrators. The limitations of these findings are discussed, along with suggestions for future research.
