What do we know about the impact of domestic abuse on men? Is it taken seriously and do male victims get the support they require? How do the police respond to reports of domestic abuse against a man?
This is the subject of a new academic study being led by psychology and sociology expert Anita Borondi of Huddersfield University. Any man above the age of 18 who has experienced domestic abuse is encouraged to take part but time is of the essence; the deadline is 21 June. Don’t fret though, participation is easy; it merely involves completing an online questionnaire (link below) and all personal details are kept anonymous.
Before you consider participating, here’s some background. The study is looking at men’s experiences of domestic abuse but has a particular focus on men’s experiences of seeking support, plus the police’s approach into reported incidents of abuse.
The crucial element to this study is that it’s looking at abuse in all its forms and is not solely focused on violence. As such it is looking at; emotional abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, in fact any type of abuse.
By exploring men’s experiences in this way, the project will hopefully identify the needs of male victims and identify gaps in the support available to them. It will also consider whether gender bias is an issue during police investigations.
I feel research of this nature is crucial. Domestic abuse against anyone, regardless of situation, background, age or gender is wrong. Sadly, I think it’s also incredibly pernicious and desperately underreported.
I’ve witnessed domestic abuse many times in a variety of different relationships. I’ve also offered help to people in these situations on numerous occasions.
Whether the victim is male or female, I think there’s a desperate need for increased support for domestic abuse victims. In my experience men are more reluctant to acknowledge the abuse they’ve experienced and official channels don’t always help.
As an exmaple, this comment comes from a 2014 consultation in domestic violence cases carried out by the Crown Prosecution Service. It states;
“Domestic violence prosecutions should be addressed within an overall framework of violence against women and girls as well as alongside human rights.”
That is only one source, but it certainly suggests a reluctance by the justice system to tackle the issue. Such comments are also unlikely to encourage men to come forward and report any abuse they have endured.
If you are male and have experienced domestic abuse, you can find out more about the study by following this link. You can take part by completing this questionnaire.
I also recommend reading this brilliant blog post. It comes from Daddy Don’t You Walk so Fast, a blog focused on parental alienation. I found it a very enlightening read.
If you can take part in the survey, don’t forget the deadline of Sunday, 21 June.
Pic credit; Geralt. SOurced from Pixabay.com and reproduced under Creative Commons agreement. For more information about Creative Commons, please see my Disclosure page.
5 thoughts on “Domestic abuse against men. Can you help with this research?”
It’s high time this issue is dealt with, and real time stats are a great foundation to work from. I’m sure there are many cases that go unreported, so hopefully we can get a decent snapshot of the problem to work from.
I will be taking part, and sharing. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Thanks for sharing and taking part. You’re absolutely right, to make a difference we need emperical evidence and that’s why this study is so important.
I can’t help with the research element being that I’m a woman, but I would like to thank you for sharing this still. I think the issue of domestic abuse against men is a very serious issue with not enough support available for the victims. Too often, domestic abuse is thought to be something only women encounter and I think it’s very important to raise awareness that it happens to men too. All too often men reporting violence committed on them by women are laughed at and emasculated, yet should they retaliate, they are further criticised. More help is needed in dealing with this. #mmwbh
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
Thanks Debbie. Like most people I’ve witnessed abuse being used against both men and women. Gender really shouldn’t come into it. Abuse is abuse and anything that may help tackle it should be encouraged I feel. I hope this research helps men who have expereicned abuse.
Thanks for sharing this, John. It’s sobering to think that, even in this day and age, the topic of domestic abuse against men remains a largely taboo subject and one barely acknowledged by our own criminal justice system.