Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Exploration of Lived Experiences of Men

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health and human rights issue affecting all genders. IPV is overwhelmingly prevalent among women, but it is being increasingly acknowledged that men, too, are IPV victims. Objectives This study draws on the lived experiences of ever-married men to explore the various forms and effects of IPV experienced by them from their female partners within the ambit of heterosexual marriages. Material and Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 ever-married men with a history of having experienced domestic violence from their female partners to reveal the different forms of IPV and how it affected their lives. Results Findings suggest the prevalence of physical, emotional, and financial abuse affecting men’s health and financial well-being in myriad ways. Social norms inhibit men from seeking support due to fear of being targets of social ridicule. In addition, skewed legislative measures in favor of women work against the provision of justice to men. Conclusion The study adds to the growing body of work on IPV being pervasive among men. It highlights delayed help-seeking behavior among men due to misplaced notions of gendered behavior and identifies the acknowledgment of IPV among men as a social problem to being the first step to its effective redressal.