Social Services´ Help and Support to Male Victims of Domestic Violence: conditions, interventions and results

The purpose is to study how Social Services’ help and support for male victims of Domestic Violence (DV) is influenced by male victims’ conditions and needs, professionals’ attitudes and ways of working with DV, and organizational conditions within the Social Services.

The aim is to contribute empirically, theoretically and methodologically to research, and provide scientific knowledge that can help improve Social Services help and support for male victims of DV.

The project is implemented through three sub-studies: 1) national database study, 2) interview study, 3) focus group study in three organizations. The research group consists of two researchers and two experts on DV.

The project is conducted over three years.Research methods and data: 1) Statistical analysis of cross-sectional data about help-seeking men and Social Services’ support (biographical characteristics, needs, interventions, results); 2) Interviews with male victims about experiences and conditions in help-seeking and support, 3) Focus group interviews with professionals about attitudes and ways of working with DV and organizational conditions for help and support.

The research is important since there is a need for knowledge about the conditions and needs of different groups of male victims, as well as knowledge about professionals’ ways of working with DV and organizational conditions for help and support. The current lack of knowledge affects quality and equality in support to male victims of DV.