An investigation into narrative identities of male victims of Domestic Violence
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Social Work
Abstract
In approximately one third of incidents of intimate partner violence (IPV) the victim is male. Although acknowledged in government statistics, current policy and provision all but ignores this. A focus on female victims, in both research and policy, has consistently cast males as the perpetrator, and inhibited the acknowledgement of male victim-hood. This has in turn restricted provision of support for the significant portion of victims that they make up. Narrative identity theory proposes that the biographical stories individuals construct from their lived experiences are integral to the formation of identity. Research indicates the way these stories are told and how they are received is critical to how they are internalised and understood by the individual. Research has also shown correlations between certain narrative forms and mental health outcomes. The lack of opportunity for male victims to voice their stories, caused not only by a social dialogue that ignores their existence, but also by perceptions of masculinity that do not allow for victimhood, means the formation of a narrative identity is potentially constricted, even denied to male victims, in turn impacting upon their potential mental health and wellbeing. Because of the sensitive and deeply personal nature of the subject, this piece of research proposes a methodology of open narrative interview and analysis to gain insight into the lived reality of male victims of IPV. How participants construct their narrative identity and the themes and positions they take in telling their narrative, may inform greater understanding of the subjective realities of male victim-hood. In turn this will inform future work with survivors and victims and contribute to a greater, more proportionate, acknowledgement of their existence within policy and provision.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Elsbeth Neil (Primary Supervisor) | |
Cassian Rawcliffe (Student) |
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ES/P00072X/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
1948748 | Studentship | ES/P00072X/1 | 25/09/2017 | 29/03/2022 | Cassian Rawcliffe |
Description | Seminar linking social theory to practice on Social Work qulaifyinf programme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Seminar/lecture delivered to undergraduate students on the Social Work Professional qualificaitons programme, using the study to illustrate and explain key theoretical concepts around gender (specifically masculinity) and apply them to social work practice. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | lecture on domestic abuse |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | lecture on Domestic Abuse and Social Work delivered to BA and MA students of the social work qualifying programme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | presented on the subject of male victim experience to a clinical commisioning group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | presentation as part local authority safeguarding training event, using data from pilot study to highlight issues for discussion regarding the experiences of male victims of female perpetrated intimate partner abuse. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | presentation as part local authority safeguarding training event, using data from pilot study to highlight issues for discussion regarding the experiences of male victims of female perpetrated intimate partner abuse. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | presented research posters detailing the study and related issues at conferences |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | presented research posters and led discussion regarding the nature of this study and related issues facing survivors and practitioners. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |