Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
2
PhD Candidate of Sociology, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22059/ijsp.2026.407029.671359
Abstract
Domestic violence against men is a phenomenon that has received less attention in mainstream academic discourse and support policies. Male victims are often portrayed as hidden victims, and their experiences lack social legitimacy. Although women still account for a high percentage of domestic violence victims, the number of men who have experienced domestic violence has been increasing in recent years. The aim of this study is to explore the underlying factors, consequences, and coping strategies of domestic violence against men through a meta- summary of studies conducted in this field. This study employed a qualitative approach with meta-summary methodology, systematically reviewing 22 domestic and international studies published between 2000 and 2025. The selected articles were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that underlying factors of violence against men include structural and gender inequalities, childhood experiences, gender stereotypes, institutional barriers, and cultural contexts. Consequences were identified at three levels: individual level including physical and psychological harms, occupational level including livelihood insecurity, and social level including fatal judgments and demasculinization. Coping strategies were also divided into two categories: active strategies including information seeking and legal pursuit, and passive strategies including silence and concealment. Male victims of domestic violence, as the forgotten other in mainstream discourse, are deprived of social legitimacy. Revisions in legislation, training of professionals, and changing cultural attitudes are essential and important for supporting these victims.
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