Help-seeking by male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA): a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis

Abstract

ObjectivesTo understand help-seeking by male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and their experiences of support services by systematically identifying qualitative and mixed-method studies and thematically synthesising their findings.DesignSystematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis. Searches were conducted in 12 databases and the grey literature with no language or date restrictions. Quality appraisal of the studies was carried out using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Reviewers extracted first and second order constructs related to help-seeking, identified themes and combined them by interpretative thematic synthesis.SettingDVA experienced by male victims and defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse among people aged 18 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.ParticipantsMale victims of DVA.InterventionsAny intervention which provides practical and/or psychological support to male victims of DVA including but not limited to DVA-specific services, primary healthcare and sexual health clinics.Primary and secondary outcome measuresQualitative data describing help-seeking experiences and interactions with support services of male victims of domestic violenceResultsWe included twelve studies which were published between 2006 and 2017. We grouped nine themes described over two phases (a)barriers to help-seeking: fear of disclosure, challenge to masculinity, commitment to relationship, diminished confidence/despondency and invisibility/perception of services; and (b)experiences of interventions and support: initial contact, confidentiality, appropriate professional approaches and inappropriate professional approaches.ConclusionThe recent publication of the primary studies suggests a new interest in the needs of male DVA victims. We have confirmed previously identified barriers to help-seeking by male victims of DVA and provide new insight into barriers and facilitators to service provision.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016039999.

“I Have Guys Call Me and Say ‘I Can’t Be the Victim of Domestic Abuse’”: Exploring the Experiences of Telephone Support Providers for Male Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse

“…In this sense, men face a 'double jeopardy', where they suffer prejudice through their victimisation generally, and as men. Importantly, men's difficulties around identifying and labelling abuse are likely to impact on their help-seeking decisions (e.g., see Hine, 2019), and men report such detrimental stereotypes, for example the challenge to their masculinity and their 'invisibility' at services, as barriers to help-seeking (Huntley et al, 2019). This is reflected in studies which demonstrate that the general population also apply the status of "victim" to men and women unequally (Seelau et al, 2003), and that men may not be seen as the "ideal" victim, which may lead EXPERIENCES SUPPORTING MALE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE 24 to more victim blaming attitudes (Meyer, 2016).…”

“…These detrimental stereotypes are also reflected in men's experiences of help-seeking (Huntley et al, 2019) and attempting to leave relationships, as reactions from friends often reflect these negative attitudes (Bates, 2019b). Such findings reflect issues that are both synonymous with, and additional to, barriers to help-seeking identified for female victims (Fugate, Landis, Riordan, Naureckas, & Engel, 2005).…”

Characteristics of the stalking campaign: Consequences and coping strategies for men and women that report their victimization to police

“…The biased representation of stalking in the media and in the social campaigns is also likely to further diminish the tendency for men to protect themselves and to add a sense of shame to an already intense emotional burden. A different approach might legitimize men to recognize themselves as victims of stalking as well as allow third parties like relatives, friends, and colleagues to recognize the signs of victimization in men [21,32]. A prompt intervention by police officers could provide more suitable interventions for men and their families.…”

“…This study aims to understand the differences between men and women in the experiencing of being a victim of stalking: particularly in men, this could be useful to identify barriers to help-seeking as well as provide insight to police officers [32]. The hypotheses of the study were the following:…”

Sharing reports about domestic violence and abuse with general practitioners: a qualitative interview study

“…Women are disproportionally affected as victims [2]. At the same time, male victims may experience additional barriers to accessing help [7]. The physical and mental health burden affecting victims of DVA is well evidenced [5,6].…”