Male Victims’ Experiences With and Perceptions of the Criminal Justice Response to Intimate Partner Abuse

Eugene Emeka Dim · Alexandra V. Lysova

41 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Interpersonal Violence

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Intimate Partner and Family Violence Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies Elder Abuse and Neglect

Abstract

Intimate partner abuse (IPA) carries severe physical and psychological consequences for victims, and the police and courts are some of the essential formal structures that help victims address their victimization. Studies suggest that male victims of IPA are reluctant to speak about or report their victimization to the police. This qualitative study examines the experiences male victims of IPA had with the criminal justice system (i.e., the courts and police). We conducted interviews with 16 men who had experienced IPA in their previous relationship in Canada. Two major themes about the police response were identified: the barriers to contacting the police for help and negative experiences with the police response. We found that men who chose not to contact the police did it due to the negative expectations of being ridiculed by the police, not being believed, and fear of being arrested. Those men who called the police for help reported unfriendly and antagonistic police treatment and the police's reluctance to charge abusive female partners. The themes that reflected the male victims' interactions with the court pointed to: (1) legal and administrative abuse by female partners, including false accusations and manipulations of child custody, and (2) a general bias against men in the courtroom. This study brings attention to the need for law enforcement officers to be aware of the experiences and perceptions male victims have of the criminal justice system and the need for the criminal justice system to create more inclusive strategies to help male victims of IPA.

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References

2006Using thematic analysis in psychology 2007Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups 2002Health consequences of intimate partner violence 2003Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking.2003World Report on Violence and Health.2002World Report on Violence and Health, World Health Organization 1999Family violence in Canada: A statistical profile 2007Differences in Frequency of Violence and Reported Injury Between Relationships With Reciprocal and Nonreciprocal Intimate Partner Violence

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