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Debates of Difference: Male Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse

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Abstract

This chapter examines the increasing recognition of males as victims of domestic violence and abuse. Luke Martin examines gendered frameworks and concepts of hegemonic masculinity, highlighting their usefulness in examining the perceptions of and responses to male victimisation. There are understandable concerns that the identification of male victims leads to yet further competition for already dwindling resources in the domestic violence and abuse sector. This has led to heated comparative debates on the nature, frequency and severity of the harm caused to male and female victims. However, it is contended that simply denying male victim experiences, or highlighting that they are different and may not happen as often, is not a valid rationale for the continued marginalisation of male victims’ support needs across heterosexual, gay, bisexual and/or transgender groups.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Screening Assessment tools have been developed by some domestic violence victim support services across England and Wales. These tools were created to assess the validity of victim disclosures. Where these tools are utilised, it becomes apparent that ‘genuine’ male victims of domestic abuse may experience some very significant challenges in being believed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Martin Training and Consultancy, Brighton, UK

    Luke Martin

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  1. Luke Martin
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom

    Sarah Hilder

  2. Dept. Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom

    Vanessa Bettinson

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© 2016 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s)

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Martin, L. (2016). Debates of Difference: Male Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse. In: Hilder, S., Bettinson, V. (eds) Domestic Violence. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52452-2_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52452-2_9

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-52451-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-52452-2

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