Breaking the Silence: A Preliminary Study on the Experiences of Chinese Men as Victims of Intimate Partner Violence and Masculinity

Understanding the experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) is a critical first step in developing effective responses. However, the majority of research has focused on male perpetration against women, with male victimization being relatively marginalized. This study aims to explore the experiences of men with IPV in the context of Chinese society, where adherence to masculinity and the societal pursuit of face and harmony contribute to tolerance of IPV and hinder the understanding of male victim experiences. This study analyzes the IPV experiences shared by 57 men on public internet forums and invited 11 of them to participate in semi-structured interviews through private messages. Finally, thematic analysis was employed to qualitatively analyze the collected textual data. This study revealed seven key themes in the narratives of men. This study has significant implications for future research on IPV in China, as well as for policy formulation and service provision.