Exploring How Men Who Are Victimised by Female Partners Experience Disclosure and Help-Seeking From Services in Aotearoa New Zealand

This research investigated how men who were victimised by a female intimate partner experienced disclosure and help-seeking from both informal sources and formal help-seeking services in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). The current study was a part of a broader research project investigating men and women’s experiences of victimisation and perpetration of intimate partner aggression (IPA) in NZ. Eleven semi-structured interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) reflexive thematic analysis. Three overarching themes relating to men’s experiences of disclosure and help-seeking from services in NZ were found. The first theme described the broader sociocultural ideas of hegemonic masculinity and sexism relating to beliefs the men held, that they felt others and services had, and the impact of these beliefs. The first theme consisted of two subthemes: 1) normative beliefs, and 2) the impact of normative beliefs. The second theme identified the importance of social support for male victims of IPA. The second theme consisted of four sub-themes: 1) who men speak to, 2) why men speak up, 3) the positive and negative outcomes of social support, and 4) why social supports are necessary. The third theme detailed what characteristics and approach to gendered beliefs of IPA allowed services to either assist men well in their help-seeking or give men a negative help-seeking experience. The third theme consisted of three sub-themes: 1) the gendered treatment of victims within services, 2) that services that understand men serve them well, and 3) the visibility of services. These findings add to the growing body of literature that has investigated men’s experiences of help-seeking to detail what supports men need and gives them better outcomes. The need for policies, services, and broader education around the nature of IPA are discussed. Future research should look beyond primarily New Zealand European populations, particularly to Māori populations in NZ, to understand the role of marginalisation and inequity has on help-seeking, as well as other cultural factors.