NCJ Number
228083
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 24 Issue: 7 Dated: October 2009 Pages: 447-462
Date Published
October 2009
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper explored the service availability and characteristics of existing services for male domestic violence victims in countries where Asian men live.
Abstract
The main reasons identified in this paper for Asian male victims not to seek social services were due to their strong endorsement of social/cultural values and avoidance of gender role conflict. In relation to service availability, sources were not found in Asia, Australia, or New Zealand specifically for male victims of domestic violence. However, in Hong Kong and Singapore nine social services describe their work with men in domestic violence situations, but the main focus was on men as perpetrators. Thirty-two sources were identified targeting men as victims in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. These sources describe services designed especially for male domestic violence victims. The findings demonstrate that services for male victims must address factors such as secretiveness, cultural values, masculine identity, tolerance, shame, and loss of face. Gender difference in help-seeking behavior is a growing concern. This paper focuses on exploring the phenomena of men's help-seeking behavior, in general and among Asian men, analyzing from research the reasons why male victims do not come forward, and describes the method and findings of an Internet-based study that searched the availability of services with a focus on addressing male victims' needs. Tables and references