Search results

This study aims to investigate the experiences of service providers supporting male victims and female perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV). The study explored the drivers, methods and treatments of female-perpetrated IPV, the nature and impact of abuse towards male victims, the barriers and facilitators to service provision and the impact on the practitioners themselves.

The study used a qualitative approach, using reflexive thematic analysis to analyse semi-structured interviews with 13 experienced service providers.

Two overarching themes were identified: systemic issues in service provision, including challenges with multi-agency approaches, funding and availability of services and the impact on practitioners; and gender stereotypes, which created barriers to male victims' help-seeking and influenced the treatment of female perpetrators.

The findings suggest the need for a multi-level approach, addressing gendered inequalities in IPV policy and funding, implementing gender-inclusive, evidence-based and trauma-informed practices, and raising public and professional awareness to challenge the dominant “domestic violence stereotype”.

This study provides a detailed, in-depth exploration of the experiences of service providers supporting “non-typical” populations in IPV, revealing the complex, multi-faceted challenges they face within a system that is inherently designed to support female victims of male perpetrators.

Sexual violence has a profound impact on victim-survivors across the world, and these consequences extend beyond cultural boundaries. While the mental health consequences are well established across the Western world, less is known about the impact on victims in China. This is somewhat surprising given the size of the population. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to provide a rapid review of existing studies that have investigated mental health outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual violence in China.

In this brief review paper, the authors conduct and provide a thematic synthesis and scrutiny of evidence surrounding two rarely reported yet common types of sexual violence experienced by victim-survivors in China, intimate partner sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse, examining the impact on survivor mental health.

Taken together, studies show wide-ranging and severe psychological consequences, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality and identity difficulties and suicidal attempts and ideations.

The unique cultural traditions that appear to exacerbate victim-survivor abuse experiences, non-disclosure practices and mental health outcomes are also identified and considered with future interventions in mind.