Source: openaccessgovernment.org 5/30/25
Denise A. Hines, Ph.D., Enochs Endowed Professor of Social Work at the College of Public Health, George Mason University, explores the often-overlooked issue of male victims of intimate partner violence (IPV)
Men’s victimization from intimate partner violence (IPV) has been documented since the first US population-based study in 1975. (1) A review of 246 studies (2011–2022) found that 11.8% of men experience physical IPV, compared to 14.6% of women. (2) Despite decades of evidence, there is limited recognition of male IPV victims.
Global data confirm that men represent a substantial proportion of IPV victims. In the US, 47.3% of men report experiencing IPV in their lifetime, accounting for 46.9% of all IPV victims.(3) In Canada, 2.9% of men and 1.7% of women experienced IPV in their current relationships.(4) In New Zealand, nearly equal percentages of men (29.9%) and women (30.9%) reported lifetime IPV. (5) Australia (6) and the UK (7) report that roughly one-third of IPV victims are men. France and Portugal report that 25-28% of official IPV cases involve male victims. (8,9) In Africa, male victimization is also substantial; for example, 43.6% of IPV victims in Uganda (10) and 31% of victims in Sierra Leone (11) are men. In Asia, men represent one-third of IPV victims in Korea. (12)
Men’s experiences of physical IPV range from minor acts to life-threatening violence, with most acts being minor. (13–15) However, men are sometimes subject to severe assaults and are significantly more likely than women to be attacked with knives, thrown objects, and blunt instruments. (16) Interview studies describe extreme tactics, such as attacks during sleep, hammer assaults, stabbings, and being locked out in freezing temperatures. (17–19) Although women in opposite-sex relationships have higher injury rates, men still represent a substantial portion of IPV-related injuries. (20,21) Two US studies of male IPV victims found over 70% reported injuries, with about one-third of victims needing medical attention. (22,23)
Sexual IPV experienced by men includes forced penetration and threats of violence to compel sex, sometimes involving beatings, restraints, or choking. (24,25) When sexual and physical IPV co-occur, risk increases significantly. (25)
Studies also document psychological IPV – including name-calling, threats, and property destruction – and controlling behaviors like monitoring, isolation, and online surveillance. (19,26) Gaslighting, pregnancy coercion (e.g., sabotaging birth control), and financial abuse (e.g., draining bank accounts) are also reported. (17,18,24,27)
Legal/administrative IPV, such as false accusations, misuse of restraining orders, and reputation damage, disproportionately affects men. (26,28)