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Issues for Male Survivors
Whilst domestic violence is predominantly experienced by women, some men will also experience violence and abuse within relationships. This could be from either female or gay partners. Men experiencing domestic violence may feel embarrassment or shame about the abuse and find it difficult to disclose the violence and seek help. They may fear that they will not be believed or will be ridiculed by support services
Birmingham (Central & West) Victim Support provides a national helpline for men experiencing domestic violence, and has one of the few male domestic violence support workers.
Gay and bisexual men
Gay and bisexual men experience domestic abuse in many of the same ways as those people in a heterosexual relationship.
Gay and bisexual men can find it hard to talk about domestic abuse and threats of ‘outing’ or fear of isolation can add to the difficulties.
Although domestic violence in same sex and heterosexual relationships share many similarities, gay men and bisexual men can also experience unique forms of abuse based on their sexuality.
- Some young men experience abuse from family members when they are exploring their sexual identity.
- An abuser can use the fact that their victim is gay or bisexual, by using threats to ‘out’ /disclose someone’s sexual orientation without their consent.
- Abusers may try and perpetuate a belief that agencies will be homophobic and there is no help available
- Abusers may try to tell their partners that “this is how it is in a gay relationship”. Abuse is not normal in any relationship, including gay relationships.
- Abusers may attempt to convince their partners that no one will help them and that they are not entitled to legal protection from abuse. This is untrue. Gay or bisexual men are entitled to the same provisions afforded to heterosexual men. It is possible to obtain same sex injunctions and there are also civil legal options.
There are specific services such as Broken Rainbow to support gay men who are in abusive relationships.
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