Male victims of domestic violence in Gozo : understanding the phenomenon

Abstract

The main aim of this dissertation is to provide a holistic understanding on the situations endured by male victims in the local setting. This study focuses on the types of abuse endured by male victims as well as the barriers that refrain such victims from reporting the abusive situation. Notwithstanding this, other areas were also explored including the effects on male victims after the abuse, the risk factors that lead to female perpetration of domestic violence as well as the use of two criminological theories which try to explain better this phenomenon. In order to retain the maximum amount of knowledge a qualitative approach was used where six professionals dealing with male victims of domestic violence in Gozo were interviewed. In fact police sergeants, social workers and GP’s took part in this study. All of the data gathered from the professionals was compared to the literature review and discussed in chapter 4. In fact it was discovered that Gozitan male victims endure mainly psychological, physical and financial abuse. It was also concluded that the most common barriers faced by male victims are pride, embarrassment and stigmatization. After conducting this study it was noticed that there needs to be more awareness regarding this important subject so that male victims find the courage to seek help so as to leave the abusive situation.