Male survivors of intimate partner violence are less likely to seek help than female survivors, according to new research from Michigan State University’s School of Social Work. As a result, these cases of intimate partner violence go unrecognized and underreported. To combat this, researchers call for more supportive and inclusive intervention services.

Hyunkag Cho, an associate professor at the College of Social Science, identified several factors that contribute to disparities in help-seeking behavior among male survivors, as well as four distinct patterns of abuse they may experience, including:

• Physical and psychological violence
• Physical violence and stalking
• Coercive control
• Psychological aggression

Cho’s study, published in the Journal of Family Violence, examined how abuse type, stigma and perceptions of masculinity shape whether male survivors seek formal support after intimate partner violence.

Male survivors experience a variety of barriers that can include shame and embarrassment, as some men may view disclosing abuse as a challenge to traditional expectations around masculinity and gender roles. Distrust in police and other formal support systems is another key reason many male survivors do not report abuse.

“Approximately only half (51%) of the male survivors included in another study chose to report to the police, particularly due to the shame associated with coming forward as a male victim of IPV,” Cho said.

Cho’s study also found that the severity of intimate partner violence strongly influences whether men seek help, with prior research identifying severity as the strongest predictor of help-seeking among male survivors.

Survivors who experienced more severe forms of abuse were more likely to contact police, doctors and psychologists. For example, survivors in the physical and psychological violence category were more likely to seek formal help than survivors in the physical violence and stalking category.

Cho said male survivors may also interpret abuse differently from female survivors.

“Men may downplay or dismiss their experiences with IPV due to traditional gender norms and social constructions of masculinity that associate manhood with strength and emotional toughness,” he said.

As a result, some men may view physical violence as less serious, resist identifying themselves as victims and avoid reporting abuse altogether. Therefore, enhanced awareness of the unique challenges faced by male victims in the help-seeking process is critical for improving access to services and policy changes.

“By incorporating a more supportive approach to IPV intervention, healthcare providers can contribute to more effective prevention and intervention efforts, ultimately reducing the prevalence and impact of IPV on male victims and their communities,” Cho said.