Men face major barriers to seeking help after intimate partner violence

Men are less likely than women to seek help after experiencing intimate partner violence, and new research from George Mason University found that the main barriers include viewing it as a private matter, fear of retaliation, shame, and concerns about not being believed.

In this study, postdoctoral researcher Lyric Russo explored these barriers across racial and ethnic groups in order to address gaps in research in these underrepresented demographics.

"By centering men's perspectives across racial and ethnic backgrounds, the findings support a more inclusive understanding of intimate partner violence and underscore the importance of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and gender-inclusive interventions that broaden access to and engagement with existing services," said Russo, first author on a paper recently published in Psychology of Men & Masculinities.

This study is among the first large-scale (nearly 1,200 men) U.S. studies to compare help-seeking barriers among non-Latino Black, Latino, and non-Latino White male victims of intimate partner violence. The study was led and paper co-authored by acclaimed male IPV researcher Denise Hines.

Why does this matter?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 44% of men report being victims of IPV, but many of these men are not receiving support, highlighting the significance of understanding barriers to seeking help.

By identifying the challenges to seeking support, the findings can help inform more effective and inclusive services for diverse groups of male victims," said Hines, Elisabeth Shirley Enochs Endowed Professor of Social Work.

Without focused research, interventions, and support services may fail to reflect the experiences and needs of male victims." 

Lyric Russo, first author

What are the detailed study findings?

• Across all racial and ethnic categories, viewing abuse as a private matter was the most common barrier to seeking help.
• Latino men were significantly more likely to express concerns about shame or embarrassment being a barrier.
• Black men were less likely to report concerns about not being believed.
• White men were more likely to report difficulty in labeling their experiences as abuse.