“I was sofa surfing at my parents’ house down in Wiltshire”: Experiences and needs of men made homeless by domestic violence in the United Kingdom

Hine, Ben ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9732-4631 (2025) “I was sofa surfing at my parents’ house down in Wiltshire”: Experiences and needs of men made homeless by domestic violence in the United Kingdom. Partner Abuse. pp. 1-34. (In Press)

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Abstract

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimates that 3% of men aged 16 and over—approximately 699,000—experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022. DVA can have a profound impact on these men, impacting their physical and mental well-being. Homelessness and domestic violence and abuse (DVA) are likewise profoundly interconnected, yet male victims of DVA remain largely overlooked. This study addresses a significant gap by exploring the experiences of six men in the UK who became homeless due to DVA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four key themes emerged: (1) Abuse in Relationships: Participants described enduring financial, psychological, and sexual abuse over long periods. (2) Transition to Homelessness: Escalating abuse leads to homelessness, often accompanied by mental health crises and suicide ideation. Many struggled to seek help due to stigma and inadequate support services. (3) Homelessness: Male victims were displaced from their homes, often relying on friends, family, or shelters. The lack of male-specific services was a significant issue. (4) Ongoing Struggles: Participants continue to face trauma, financial instability, and separation from their children long after their homelessness ends. The findings reveal the urgent need for male-specific domestic abuse services, improved training for professionals, and policy changes to ensure equitable resources. Greater public awareness is also needed to reduce the stigma around male victimhood and homelessness, allowing more men to seek help without fear of judgment.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Social sciences
Depositing User: Ben Hine
Date Deposited: 06 May 2025 11:23
Last Modified: 06 May 2025 11:30
URI: https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/13517

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