Men's Experiences with Violence
Little is known about students who identify as men and their experiences of victimization indating, domestic, and sexual relationships. The lack of knowledge about the nature of men's experiences, help-seeking behaviours and implications for policy and resources has resulted in campus communities that are not responsive to the needs of men.
| Research Team Dr. D. Gaye Warthe, PhD, RSW, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada Email: gwarthe@mtroyal.ca Dr. Catherine Carter-Snell, PhD RN, Mount Royal University, Email: ccartersnell@mtroyal.ca Dr. Peter Choate, PhD, RCSW, Mount Royal University, Email: pchoate@mtroyal.ca |
What is this Research About?
The purpose of this research was to understand men’s experiences of dating, domestic and sexual violence (relationship violence); the impact of relationship violence; and men’s experiences of disclosure and help-seeking. The research was conducted with post-secondary students, aged 18 and older, who identify as men and who experienced violence or abuse in an intimate relationship. In total, 13 students participated in this qualitative study.
What did the Researchers Do?
Students participated in an in-person or online interview and were asked to describe their experiences of relationship violence including the nature and context of the abuse, impact of the abuse and their experiences of seeking help. Areas explored included reasons for seeking help, sources of support and perceptions of the process. The focus of the data analysis was on developing a deep understanding achieved through thematic analysis. Each theme informed the understanding about men’s experiences of relationship violence.
What did the Researchers Find?
There was an overall influence on men’s responses which was that of gender influence. Expectations of gender roles affected the participants’ awareness or interpretation of their experience as relationship violence, the impact the violence had on them and their perceptions or experiences of support. All of these combined to influence whether or not men chose to disclose their experiences.
What Were the Lessons Learned?
Five key areas of learning were identified:
a. Gender influence negatively influences all aspects of experience—awareness, impact, support or help-seeking and disclosure
b. Men do not recognize that messages about relationship violence apply to them
c. Messaging and services for men need to be marketed differently
d. There is a delay in men recognizing they are experiencing abuse and in seeking help
e. Support people need to understand the role of gender stereotypes on understanding, disclosing and on peer support
a. Gender influence negatively influences all aspects of experience—awareness, impact, support or help-seeking and disclosure
b. Men do not recognize that messages about relationship violence apply to them
c. Messaging and services for men need to be marketed differently
d. There is a delay in men recognizing they are experiencing abuse and in seeking help
e. Support people need to understand the role of gender stereotypes on understanding, disclosing and on peer support
Core Themes Identified for Men's Experiences of Dating Violence in Post-Secondary
Issues of gender roles impacted all aspects, including awareness of abuse, the impact the abuse had on the person, as well as who they saw as support, and decisions to disclose.
Participants did not typically recognize situations as abusive until well after the relationship ended. They had not recognized marketing about relationship violence as pertaining to men as victims versus offenders nor did they typically engage in conversations about relationship violence.
There were considerable impacts of the abuse affecting mental health, such as depression, suicidality, guilt/shame, panic attacks, anxiety and anger. Jobs, academics and future relationships were also negatively impacted and there was sometimes loss or damage to personal items. There were numerous barriers to accessing services such as costs of services, availability of informal supports and lack of energy to seek help.
Support services were not always trusted as confidential nor applicable to men as victims. Participants sought support more often from their peers, particularly female peers, than family or formal supports. On some occasions, faculty or supervisors were seen as supportive.
Disclosure was seen as a weakness for men. If they chose to disclose, they did not want to be seen going into services.
Warthe, D. G., Carter-Snell, C., & Choate, P. (2022). Men's experiences of dating, domestic and sexual violence in post-secondary. Mount Royal University.