Historically, discussions around intimate partner violence (IPV) have often overlooked or downplayed the experiences of male victims.
This neglect has perpetuated stereotypes that invalidate the reality of men facing violence in relationships.
Furthermore, the way men experience and understand IPV is significantly shaped by cultural contexts unique to their countries.
These dogmas can create barriers for victims seeking help, as societal narratives often dictate what is considered acceptable or expected behavior for men and women.A recent study conducted by Denise Hines, a professor in the Department of Social Work and published in the journal Partner Abuse, sought to shed light on this issue by examining the prevalence of both victimization and perpetration of IPV among men across four English-speaking regions: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, as well as New Zealand.
Hines’ findings revealed alarming statistics: self-identified male victims reported experiencing IPV at rates ranging from 50.0% to 96.1% for sexual and physical violence, respectively.
Additionally, 21.1% of men claimed to have perpetrated sexual IPV, while 54.0% admitted to engaging in physical IPV.
Notably, male victims in the United States reported significantly higher rates of both experiencing and perpetrating IPV compared to their counterparts in other countries.
This variance highlights the critical role that national context plays in understanding the dynamics and prevalence of IPV.
The ingrained stereotypes suggesting that men cannot be victims manifest in legal frameworks and support services, further complicating their ability to seek assistance.In her ongoing work, Hines collaborates with domestic violence and sexual assault services in Fairfax County, Virginia, focusing on the unique challenges faced by underserved communities.
By addressing access barriers, her projects aim to enhance the understanding of male victim experiences and the systemic obstacles they encounter when trying to obtain support.
This research underscores the urgent need for country-specific solutions that cater to the distinctive needs of male IPV victims, which are often ignored in broader discussions.For more information, refer to the article by Denise A.
Hines et al., titled "Prevalence of Victimization and Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence Among Two Samples of Male Victims: An International Study of English-Speaking Countries", published in Partner Abuse (2025).
