Help-Seeking Behaviors of Male Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in Kenya
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE
Abstract
Very few studies examine the help-seeking behaviors of male survivors of
intimate partner violence (IPV) in Kenya or sub-Saharan Africa more generally. Using nationally representative cross-sectional data from 1,458 male
survivors and multinomial logit models, we examined what influences men’s
decision to seek help after experiencing IPV. Results show the majority of
male survivors did not seek help. Those who did so turned to informal rather
than formal sources. The severity of physical violence was the most robust
and consistent predictor of help-seeking. Male survivors of severe physical
abuse had higher odds of seeking help from informal support networks than
not seeking help. Compared to the uneducated, highly educated men were
significantly more likely to seek help from formal support networks than to
not seek help at all. Sensitization programs are required to educate male
survivors of IPV on available sources of support. In particular, barriers to help seeking must be removed to encourage male survivors to find support.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Kenya, IPV, men, masculinity, help-seeking