Chinese male survivors of intimate partner violence: living in and transforming stigma

ABSTRACT

This qualitative research aimed to examine stigma of male IPV survivors in Hong Kong and Taiwan context, in particular, three aspects: 1) anticipated stigma and stigma internalization; 2) interplay of hegemony masculinity and cultural stigma in relation to violence against men; 3) their journey of from living in stigma to transforming stigma. 17 Chinese male IPV survivors were recruited both from Hong Kong and Taiwan, who had been in a heterosexual intimate relationship for at least 6 months. Through in-depth interviews, the issues of male IPV survivors facing oppressive forces from societal world views on hegemonic masculinity, their journey of living in stigma, their proactive deconstruction of stigma identity, and the further transformation of their new identity of masculinity are found in this research. This research could lead to recommendations for practitioners and policy makers regarding strategies to support male IPV survivors to live in a nonstigmatized social world.

KEYWORDS:

• Abused men
• violence against men
• cultural stigma
• hegemonic masculinity
• men’s services

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Wai Hung Wallace Tsang

Wai Hung Wallace Tsang is the Senior Lecturer of Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Shue Yan University. He has good research experience in the areas of domestic violence, gender and men’s psychology. He also has extensive counselling experience for families with spousal abuse, elderly and child abuse problems; marital problems, parenting difficulties, mental health problems, and youth developmental problems.

Tak Mau Simon Chan

Tak Mau Simon Chan is an Associate Professor, at the Department of Social Work, University of Vermont. His research interest focuses on men-in-trauma, especially in the landscape of intimate partner violence. In the recent decades, he is committed to Chinese male survivors of intimate partner violence, with reference to the cultural concept of masculinity and stigma.

April Chiung-Tao Shen

April Chiung-Tao Shen is the Professor of Department of Social Work, National Taiwan University. Her research interests include intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, children exposed to IPV, child custody, parenting education, and family relationships. She has received awards for outstanding research from NTU and professional associations. She serves as the President of the Taiwan Association of Social Work Education since 2021.

Jwu-Shang Chen

Jwu-Shang Chen is director of General Education Center, National Kaohsiung Normal University. He is also a member of family mediation, Taiwan Kaohsiung Juvenile and Family Court. He got ‘social welfare’ Ph.D in 2007, ‘environmental policy’ master degree in 2002 and ‘ethnic relations and culture’ master degree in 2000. His expertise areas are social policy and legislation, analysis of court decisions related to social welfare.