Recent research from Simon Fraser University uncovers a troubling trend among male survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV): many men resort to harmful coping mechanisms, largely due to limited support services and persistent societal stigma. Drawing on comprehensive analysis of Statistics Canada’s General Social Survey on victimization combined with in-depth interviews involving 16 male survivors, the study highlights significant gender disparities in help-seeking behavior. Men are markedly less likely than women to reach out for formal assistance, which contributes to a cycle of isolation and untreated trauma.
This reluctance to seek help is deeply rooted in cultural and social stigmas surrounding masculinity and victimhood. Alexandra Lysova, a criminology professor at SFU and co-author of the study recently published in the Journal of Family Violence, emphasizes that men frequently feel abandoned by the very systems designed to support victims of domestic abuse. “When intimate partner violence happens to men, it often feels like they’re left to cope alone,” Lysova explains. Many male survivors engage in avoidance strategies — denying abuse, withdrawing from social engagements, and immersing themselves in work — effectively masking their suffering in an effort to maintain a facade of strength.
These coping mechanisms can exacerbate mental health challenges. Avoidance can prevent men from seeking therapeutic interventions, legal recourse, or even physical separation from their abusers. Over time, such unaddressed trauma may manifest as worsening depression, substance misuse, and heightened emotional distress. The implications are profound, not only for the individuals affected but for the dynamics of abusive relationships themselves, as the underlying tensions may escalate without intervention.
Importantly, the study situates male IPV experiences within a broader context of reciprocal violence. While IPV is often bi-directional, meaning both partners may engage in abusive behaviors, females tend to bear the brunt of severe consequences. For instance, data reveal that 79 percent of intimate partner homicide victims are women. This disparity underscores the urgency of developing gender-sensitive approaches that acknowledge the unique risks and outcomes for all survivors, rather than framing IPV solely as a women’s issue.
The current research clearly identifies a critical gap in public awareness and institutional response. Lysova critiques existing public safety campaigns and support protocols for their overwhelming focus on female victims, which effectively renders male survivors invisible. Front-line professionals — including police officers, social workers, and healthcare providers — often lack adequate training or resources to recognize and respond to male victimization effectively. This systemic oversight perpetuates a cycle in which men suffering from IPV remain underserved.
Addressing this gap is more than a matter of fairness; it’s a strategic imperative for societal well-being. Lysova argues that by expanding services to be genuinely gender-inclusive, communities can better mitigate the long-term consequences of IPV. Male survivors are at increased risk of developing chronic psychological issues and engaging in maladaptive behaviors, which, if untreated, can contribute to a perpetuation of violence across generations.
One particularly alarming link identified in the study involves children who witness intimate partner abuse. Exposure to such environments significantly increases the likelihood of future perpetration or victimization of IPV in adulthood. Thus, effectively supporting male survivors has a ripple effect that benefits women, children, and the broader community by breaking cycles of violence and trauma.
The study’s findings are grounded in rigorous methodological approaches, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights from survivors themselves. This mixed-methods design provides a multidimensional perspective on the support deficits and psychological hurdles male victims face. Such depth of research advances the discourse on IPV beyond simplified gender binaries, advocating for a nuanced understanding of survivor needs.
In conclusion, the SFU study calls for a paradigmatic shift in how intimate partner violence is addressed—a move away from gendered silos toward recognizing abuse as a human rights and public health issue transcending gender. Improved screening tools, specialized training for first responders, and inclusive public awareness campaigns are essential to dismantle barriers that inhibit men from seeking help. Only with such systemic changes can IPV interventions become truly effective and equitable.
Simon Fraser University and Alexandra Lysova’s team advocate for broadening the framework within which domestic violence is perceived and tackled. By embedding a gender-inclusive lens into policy, research, and practice, society can foster safer communities where all survivors, regardless of gender, receive the support they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
This groundbreaking work, published in the Journal of Family Violence, serves as a clarion call for policymakers, social service providers, and the public to reevaluate entrenched stigmas and structural biases. Recognizing male survivors’ experiences is not about competing narratives but about holistic, intersectional solutions that protect and empower everyone affected by intimate partner violence.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: “I Thought About Killing Myself, but a Part of Me Insisted on Getting Help”: Coping Experiences of Male Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence.
News Publication Date: 28-Feb-2025
Web References:
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10896-025-00847-8
- http://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/intimate-partner-violence-against-men-boys-information-resources.html
- https://menandfamilies.org/about-us/contact/
- https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
References: Lysova, A., et al. (2025). “I Thought About Killing Myself, but a Part of Me Insisted on Getting Help”: Coping Experiences of Male Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence. Journal of Family Violence. DOI: 10.1007/s10896-025-00847-8
Keywords: intimate partner violence, male survivors, coping strategies, gender-inclusive support, mental health, social stigma, family violence, victimization, public awareness, trauma, gender disparities, Simon Fraser University
