Study: Over Half of Male Domestic Abuse Victims in Northern Ireland Do Not Disclose Abuse

Over half of men in Northern Ireland who experience domestic abuse from a partner do not disclose it. This finding stems from a significant new study conducted by Queen’s University Belfast and Northern Ireland’s commissioner for the victims of crime. More than 70% of the men interviewed by researchers indicated they had considered suicide, and the majority had suffered from depression or anxiety. The report also noted a critical need to offer support to victims who do come forward and to implement efforts to combat the stigma surrounding this issue. Professor Cherie Armour, one of the report’s authors, highlighted a “critical lack of research into the prevalence and health impacts of intimate partner violence against men and boys.” She stated that this affects the availability of support for those in need. Professor Armour explained the research comprised a two-part study, including an online psychological wellbeing survey to which 115 men responded. The second part involved one-to-one interviews with 10 men about their personal experiences of domestic violence and its aftermath. “The interviews, on average, last 60 to 90 minutes, so that’s a very in-depth conversation that we have with men about their lived experience of these issues,” she told Good Morning Ulster. Professor Armour further noted that many respondents described early “red flag behaviours” that subsequently escalated into significant domestic violence. According to Stormont’s recent Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy, nearly a fifth of intimate partner abuse victims in Northern Ireland are male. Support organizations for male domestic abuse victims have long criticized inadequate services and a lack of funding in this area. Northern Ireland currently has no refuge facilities for male victims of domestic abuse. The new study determined that “barriers associated with stigma and trust” were the most frequent reasons preventing men from disclosing abuse or seeking help. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reported four homicides with a domestic abuse motivation in Northern Ireland between August 2023 and July 2024. The victims included two males and two females. In the 2022/23 period, there were six domestic homicides, with four female and two male victims. These statistics do not account for the four women who were killed in Northern Ireland this summer over a six-week duration. Victims and survivors who participated in the study identified psychological aggression, coercive control, and physical assault as their most common experiences. Alex’s wife subjected him to mental and physical abuse; she punched and bit him during some episodes and threatened to kill both him and herself. “I got to the point I was afraid to come home and our little child was subjected to seeing all of this many times,” he recounted to BBC News NI. “I’ve never felt society understands male domestic violence, the entire judicial system, police and society are all geared towards the female as the victim.” Alex added, “In an ever-changing world these issues are real, however, they are kept quiet as men in general feel isolated and afraid to speak out.” Alex revealed he experienced suicidal thoughts during the abuse, but a friend noticed his state of mind and “sat him down,” which helped him overcome the crisis. He also stated that insufficient action is being taken “to support victims, to police it properly and for prosecution within the courts.” BBC News NI recently reported on the 24 women murdered in Northern Ireland over the last four years. In October, MP Claire Hanna informed Parliament that Northern Ireland “remains one of the most dangerous places in Europe to be a woman, with a femicide rate twice that of Britain.” Geraldine Hanna, the commissioner designate for victims of crime, characterized the report’s findings as “deeply concerning.” She told Good Morning Ulster that the findings “underscore the need for policies and processes that address the unique needs of men and boys and highlights potential gaps in service provision, particularly in rural areas.” Ms. Hanna noted that men who report domestic abuse still face a “crushing stigma,” which impacts the response they receive when seeking help. She further commented, “The other key stand out, for me, in this is that it helps dispel the myth that intimate partner violence only happens in male same-sex relationships because that is not the case and women can be abusers as well.” The commissioner designate emphasized that the absence of refuges for men fleeing violence can have a detrimental effect on their relationships with their children. “Hostels are not necessarily a place where children can come and visit their fathers,” she explained. Ms. Hanna also mentioned that many men end up “sofa surfing” after escaping an abusive relationship, which can place stress on the wider family unit. Justice Minister Naomi Long stated her anticipation of using the report’s recommendations to “help male victims feel safer,” while Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described the research as a “crucial step” in understanding the specific experiences of male victims. 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