Chinese male survivors of intimate partner violence: living in and transforming stigma

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to examine stigma of male IPV survivors in Hong Kong and Taiwan context, in particular, three aspects: 1) anticipated stigma and stigma internalization; 2) interplay of hegemony masculinity and cultural stigma in relation to violence against men; 3) their journey of from living in stigma to transforming stigma. 17 Chinese male IPV survivors were recruited both from Hong Kong and Taiwan, who had been in a heterosexual intimate relationship for at least 6 months. Through in-depth interviews, the issues of male IPV survivors facing oppressive forces from societal world views on hegemonic masculinity, their journey of living in stigma, their proactive deconstruction of stigma identity, and the further transformation of their new identity of masculinity are found in this research. This research could lead to recommendations for practitioners and policy makers regarding strategies to support male IPV survivors to live in a nonstigmatized social world.